stores.

25.

Economy of He will require the strictest economy to be observed in the expenditure and consumption of stores of every description, and will not permit any purpurchases chases in a foreign country which are not indispensably necessary. He

No unless.

will make every effort to support the fleet or squadron on the supplies furnished by the Government, and he will require Commanding Officers to keep him informed in regard to the stores on hand. He will direct all vessels under his command, previous to leaving a port where Government stores are supplied, to fill up to their utmost capacity with Paymaster's stores, and ex- that they be furnished with sufficient funds to prevent, if possible, the drawing of bills of exchange when separated from the flag-ship.

Disabled officers

sels or store-ships.

26.

He will not allow any stores to be disposed of, except by the recommendation of a Board of Survey, nor will he permit stores or munitions of war to be sent home, unless by his written order.

27.

He will require the utmost economy in the consumption of fuel in steaming by the vessels under his command, and he will not permit any duty to be performed under steam which can be as well accomplished under sail.

28.

If he finds it necessary to charter a vessel for any purpose, he will have a charter-party drawn up in triplicate, which shall contain all the agreements between the contracting parties, retaining one copy, giving one copy to the master of the chartered vessel, and forwarding the third to the Navy Depart

ment.

29.

When sick or disabled officers or men are to be sent home in a store-ship and men sent home or vessel chartered for the purpose, he will order a Board of Medical Officers in chartered ves- to examine the vessel and report to him in writing whether everything necessary for the comfort of the invalids has been provided, stating deficiencies, if any; and he will not permit such vessel to sail until every possible provision for the comfort of the invalids has been made, and, if necessary, he will detail additional medical officers from the vessels under his command to

Approval of requisitions.

In ports where

chasing Agent.

accompany them. Unless for urgent reasons, the sick will only be sent in supply or other vessels of the Navy.

30.

All requisitions must receive his scrutiny before approval, and shall not be approved by him unless he may be fully satisfied of the necessity of the articles required. Should vessels of his command be supplied, when separated from him, on requisitions approved by the senior officer present, it will be the duty of such senior officer to forward to the Commander-in-Chief, without delay, a duplicate report of the purchase, one of which will be sent to the Navy Department; and if in the judgment of the Commander-in-Chief the purchase was not necessary, he will so inform the Department, and the purchase-money may, by order of the Department, be charged to the officer upon whose approval the purchase was made..

31.

In ports where there is no Purchasing Agent of the United States, he will there is no Pur- direct the Paymaster of the Fleet to make all the necessary purchases on the Articles selected, most advantageous terms, the articles being selected by the officer in charge of the department for which they are required, who will furnish to his Commanding Officer a certificate of the market-value of each article, by the quantity and in detail, ascertained by obtaining bids from several dealers. No purchase is to be made by other than a Pay-Officer, and no article is to be purchased which is not recognized in the allowance.

32.

He may send to the United States any officer under his command who Sending officers shall be guilty of acts not susceptible of trial by a court-martial, furnishing to the United the Department with his reason for so doing.

33.

States.

When it is not practicable to try an officer or other person at the time an When it is not offense is committed, he will take every precaution to the end that justice practicable to try an officer, &c. may be satisfied, and that the offender be forthcoming at such time as a court-martial can be convened. And should there not be a sufficient number of senior officers on the station, he will make application to the Navy Department for the requisite number to constitute a court.

34.

He will inspect the vessels under his command at least once in six months, and satisfy himself that they are in a state of efficiency to perform any service that may be required. When repairs are required to any vessel under his command, he will, if possible, have the work done by the mechanics of the fleet, without the employment of those from shore.

35.

Exercise and in

He will cause the boats of his fleet or squadron, manned and armed, to be frequently assembled, inspected, and exercised in maneuvers in landing, em- spection of boats. barking, and boarding vessels. In inspections, he will not delegate his Delegating auauthority, except in case of inability to attend, when he will direct the officer thority in inspecnext in rank to himself to make the inspections, who, in making them, will tions. be accompanied by the Chief of Staff, and such others of the staff as he may select, who will make accurate minutes of the proceedings.

36.

He will have all hospitals and hospital-ships frequently inspected by the Hospitals and Surgeon of the fleet; will receive daily reports from the medical officers in hospital-ships. charge, and will require that every attention be paid to the care and comfort

of the sick.

37.

Expenditures of

He will require every Commanding Officer to expend the amount of ammunition authorized for practice, unless the supply should run short or other ammunition. reason prevent it, in which case he will report the circumstance to the Secretary of the Navy.

28.

eral orders and

When preparing a fleet or squadron for sea, in time of war, as the vessels Copies of genjoin him, he will furnish each Commanding Officer with a copy of all gen- signals in time of eral orders, dispositions, private signals, orders of battle, &c., so that they war. may have a complete understanding of what they will be called upon to do

on going into action.

39.

Designation of

If the Secretary of the Navy does not reserve the right of designation, he will select the vessels for the Flag Officers, divide the fleet into divisions and vessels. squadrons, and assign the officers to command them according to rank.

40.

When the fleet or squadron he commands is lying in a harbor or roadstead

Precautions

in time of war, he will keep light-armed and fast steamers off the coast to against being atreport the approach of an enemy, and will take every precaution to prevent tacked unawares. being attacked unawares.

Enemy off the

coast.

Watchword.

Guard-boats.

Concert of ac

41.

When an enemy is off the coast, or when liable to be attacked, he will keep his vessels in readiness to move under steam at a moment's notice, having pilots, when necessary, on board, and allowing no one to leave, except by his special permission.

42.

He will cause the watchword for the day and night to be delivered to the commanding officer of each vessel; the guard-boats to be stationed immediately after sunset, and every precaution taken against attempts to destroy the vessels by torpedoes.

43.

If lying in the roads or harbors of the United States, he is to maintain a tion with military. complete concert of action between himself and the military commander on shore, and in case of an attack on the latter, he will render him all assistance in his power.

In presence of an enemy.

Understanding

44.

When in presence of an enemy, with the likelihood of an action, he is to order the guns cast loose, and one watch to be kept at quarters during the night.

45.

He should have a perfect understanding with his second in command, his, with Commanders Chief-of-Staff, and the Captain of the Flag-Ship, when going into action, informing them of his plans, secret orders, and private signals.

and Chief-of-Staff.

Plan of action

46.

He will, if possible, before going into action, furnish each Commanding before going into Officer with a plan of the battle, assigning to each the position that the ship under his command is to take. Divisional Commanders are not to alter this disposition unless it may become necessary, when signals cannot be seen.

battle.

Disabled vessels in action.

Reports after an engagement.

Neutrality of the United States.

47.

If any of the vessels of his command become so disabled that they cannot keep up with the squadron and are in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy, he will have them taken in tow, if it be possible to save them; otherwise, he will have their crews removed and the vessels destroyed.

48.

After an engagement, he is to require the Commanding Officers of divisions and of vessels to forward to him their reports and those of their Executive Officers, and will himself make a report to the Secretary of the Navy of all particulars and of the conduct of his subordinates.

49.

During wars in which the United States are neutral, he will observe the strictest neutrality and require the same of every one under his command. He will comply strictly with the laws of blockade, when a harbor or port is of blockaded by a nation with whom the United States is at peace, making lives and property. every effort to protect the lives and property of citizens of the United States within the lines of the belligerents, and will so instruct the commanding officers of the vessels of his fleet or squadron.

When the United States is engaged in war, he will require all the laws of laws of neutrality neutrality to be strictly observed by every one under his command.

when United

States is at war.

51.

and

He may afford convoy and protection to merchant-vessels of the United Convoy States, and also to merchantmen of nations which may be in alliance with protection to merthe United States. chant-vessels.

52.

When troops are to be embarked on board the vessels of the fleet or squad- Troops embark. ron under his command, he will have prepared such regulations as may be nec- ed on board vesessary to preserve health and maintain discipline while they are on board.

53.

sels of fleet.

He will require reports from Commanding Officers, addressed to the De- Reports and diapartment, of every important service performed by the ships under his com- tant services. grams of impormand, accompanied by diagrams, in all cases in which they are applicable, showing every particular which may tend to give clear information concerning the event, and forward them by the first opportunity, retaining copies for future use or reference.

54.

absence.

He will issue general orders regulating the extent of leave of absence Regulations in which may be granted to officers and men to visit the shore when in squad- regard to leave of ron; and will allow no officer to be absent on leave from the vessel to which he belongs, when in squadron, for more than twenty-four hours without his written permission.

55.

Correspondence

the Navy.

He will correspond regularly with the Secretary of the Navy, keeping him informed of his proceedings and of the state, condition, and probable wants with Secretary of of the vessels under his command, and of all other important information relative to the service on which he may be employed, or to any foreign naval force employed upon the station or in its vicinity; and he will forward monthly returns of the condition, distribution, and employment of the vessels of the squadron. He will keep the Department informed, in advance, of his Information in movements, as also of those of the vessels under his command, and, as far advance of moveas possible, the dates upon which they will be likely to be at certain points.

56.

ments.

He is to examine and carefully compare all orders for general police, which Examination of may be prepared by commanders of vessels, and modify them to secure uni- orders for general formity.

57.

police.

He is to forward to the Navy Department any suggestions for the improve- Suggestions for ment of public works in navy-yards, or in construction, equipment, or improvements. arrangement of vessels, or upon any subject connected with the Navy which he may deem important, accompanying the same with plans and estimates

of their cost when practicable.

58.

in

He will cause a quarterly inspection to be made by the Fleet Engineer of Quarterly the machinery and boilers of all steam-vessels under his command, and spection by Fleet Engineer. require from him a report in duplicate, one copy of which will be forwarded to the Navy Department and the other be retained by himself. If this inspection of any vessel cannot be made, he will report the fact and the circumstances rendering it impossible.

59.

He will not resign his command without the previous consent of the Sec- Resignation of retary of the Navy, unless a medical survey certifies that the state of his command. health renders it absolutely necessary.

60.

moval.

In case of death Should he die or leave his station permanently from any cause before being or permanent re- relieved by a successor, appointed by the Navy Department, the senior offiSenior officer to cer of the fleet or squadron succeeding him shall exercise the powers and exercise power authority of senior officer, but he shall discontinue to exercise such powers and authority.

command.

and authority immediately on the receipt of official information of the arrival within the limits of the station of the officer duly appointed as Commanderin-Chief, without waiting to meet with or to receive an order directly from such officer.

61.

On giving up On giving up his command he is to turn over to his successor copies of all correspondence with the Navy Department or with foreign authorities, together with any other documents which may concern the station or naval force under his command, or which may be of interest to the service, and also a copy of all orders which he may have issued from time to time.

Transmit to Secretary of the Navy

62.

He will transmit to the Secretary of the Navy a list of the numbers of his list of correspond- Correspondence with the Department, and furnish duplicates of all such as have not been received.

ence.

63.

Not to leave sta- He is not to leave his station or command until he is satisfied that all the tion until regula- regulations of the Navy relating to the transfer of vessels, munitions of war, tions are complied &c., are complied with.

with.

Investigation by courts of inquiry.

Vessels to visit

64.

Commanding Officers of fleets or squadrons are directed to investigate immediately, by a court of inquiry, or a board of three officers, all accidents, occurrences, and transactions concerning which the Department should have full information, and to forward the same to the Secretary of the Navy in such a complete and concise form that action may be taken without referring the case back. Commanding Officers of vessels, acting singly, will order boards of not more than three officers in all such cases.

65.

So far as the public service will permit, Commanding Officers of fleets or all places within limit of command, squadrons will require their vessels to visit all the places within the limits of their command where American commerce extends, unless otherwise directed by the Secretary of the Navy.

Lengthy anchor

of vessels.

66.

Lengthy anchorage in ports where no public exigency requires the presage and wintering ence of a vessel is forbidden, as is also the wintering of the vessels of a squadron in any port. Commanders of fleets or squadrons and of vessels on special service abroad will cause the Secretary of the Navy to be furnished quarterly with a cruising report in the following form: