Kings Regulations & Admiralty Instructions - 1913 - Instructions to Captains

Index
 
Kings Regulations & Admiralty Instructions - 1913

Chapter XIII

Instructions to Captains

SECTION   PAGE
I. On Appointment 154
II. Fighting Efficiency 155
III. Exercises and Instructions as to Armaments and Magazines 155
IV. Fire Precautions 157
V. Regulations for Closing Water-tight Doors 159
VI. Smoking Regulations 162
VII. Clothing, Cleanliness, and Health 162
VIII. Logs, Register and Signal Books, &c. 164
IX. Instruction of Officers 165
X. General Instructions 166
XI. Letters and Mails 170
XII. Anchors and Cables 171
XIII. Payments, Cash and Store Accounts, and Surveys 172.
XIV. Discharge of Officers and Men 175
XV. Miscellaneous 178
XVI. In case of Wreck 184

SECTION I - ON APPOINTMENT.

523. First Inspection.- On appointment to the command of a ship the Captain will visit her throughout with the officers of the ship named in Article 1097, and he will be accompanied, in the case of dockyard-built ships by the Captain of the dockyard and the Manager, Engineering Department, and in the case of contract-built ships, by the Naval Superintendent of Contract-built ships and the Engineer Overseer. These latter officers are to inspect the ship with him to afford him such general information in regard to the armament, hull, engines, boilers, internal fittings, etc., as he may require.

2. Alterations.- They are to acquaint him with any alterations which the Admiralty may have authorised, and if further alterations or any additions are deemed by the Captain to be necessary, they are to inform him that they cannot be made without obtaining the special sanction of the Admiralty.

3. In such a case application is to be made by him immediately through the proper channel, with all necessary explanations, but such applications after commissioning, are to be avoided as much as possible.

524. Hastening of Equipment.- When a ship is first commissioned, as well as at all other times, the Captain is to be very diligent in getting the ship ready for sea, or for any other service ordered ; he is to inspect continually and forward, so far as he is able, all work on board; and he is to report daily to the Commander-in-Chief the progress made and the state of the ship. If it is found necessary to extend the date originally fixed for being ready, he is forthwith to report the reasons by letter to the Commander-in-Chief for the information of the Admiralty, and in the event of there being any neglect or delay in her fitting on the part of the dockyard he is to represent the same, when no Senior Officer is present, to the Superintendent or to the Admiralty as circumstances may require.

2. Local Regulations, &e.- He is to make himself acquainted with the regulations of the dockyard, victualling yard, gun wharf, etc., in respect of all

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matters necessary for his guidance, and he is to co-operate with the heads of all the public departments in the furtherance of the service.

525. Provisioning.- He will take on board such quantities of provisions as may be considered necessary, having due regard to the service and station on which the ship is to be employed, but the quantities are not to be less than the minimum, for the several natures of provisions, given in Article 1705, and the stocks of these articles ate so far as possible to be kept up to this limit throughout the period of the commission.

2. If it is considered desirable to take on board as much provisions as can be conveniently stowed, the proportion of each kind is to be regulated by the average consumption so far as it can be estimated from general experience.

526. Quartering Officers and Men.- As early as possible after commissioning he is to make arrangements for quartering all the officers and men of the ship, including marines, as laid down in the Gunnery Manual.

527. Armament Ready for Use.- The Captain is to take 'care that the armament is all on board, and, whether in peace or in war, that everything is kept ready for immediate use.

SECTION II - FIGHTING EFFICIENCY.

528. Readiness for War.- When at sea the Captain is at all times to keep the ship in readiness for war, and in time of war he will every evening before dark cause the quarters to be cleared and every other arrangement made for a night action to prevent surprise by a better-prepared enemy.

2. When at anchor in any harbour or roadstead he is, especially at night, to be constantly and fully prepared to repel any attempt of an enemy to board or to destroy the ship by torpedoes or otherwise.

529. Approaching Foreign Ships.- He is not to approach a foreign ship-of-war at any time without being prepared to defend his ship in case of necessity ; but in taking all proper precautions he is to give no reasonable cause of offence to such foreign ship by exhibiting any outward marks of preparation.

530. Night Quarters.- The Captain is to exercise the crew by night at general quarters once every three months, at a time not earlier than 10 p.m.

Ships newly commissioned are not to carry out night firing until the guns' crews are sufficiently trained, and have been exercised for this purpose in the daytime, to show the ship's company clearly what would be required at night.

531. Gunnery and Torpedo System.- He is to take care that the systems of gunnery, of torpedo and of drill laid down in the current issues of the Gunnery Manual, in the Torpedo Manual, in Rifle and Field Exercises for the Navy and in gunnery and torpedo drill books are strictly carried out ; he is to allow no deviations whatever therefrom, unless compelled to do so owing to special fittings or peculiarities in the armament, but any alterations that his experience or that of the Gunnery and Torpedo Lieutenants suggest as likely to be improvements may be submitted to the Admiralty.

SECTION III.- EXERCISES AND INSTRUCTIONS AS TO ARMAMENTS AND MAGAZINES.

532. Drills and Exercises.- He is to take care that the prescribed drills and exercises, as laid down in the Gunnery and Torpedo Manuals and in the

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annual reports (forms S. 285, S. 285a, S. 303 and S. 303a), are carried out, and he is to see that the officers and instructors adhere strictly to the established exercises. General quarters should take place once a week.

2. Use of Ammunition, &c.- He will take care that the officers and men are carefully instructed in the description, and use of all the ammunition, &c., supplied to the ship, and that the details of their action and application are periodically shown and explained to them by the Instructors.

533. Practice Expenditure.- The Captain is to cause the quantities of ammunition and stores specified in the Gunnery and Torpedo Manuals as allowed for practice to be expended according to the instructions therein laid down.

2. He is not to suffer the quantity of ammunition to be reduced below two-thirds of the proportion of each description allowed to the ship.

534. Accident to Armament, &c.- He will report to the Commander-in-Chief for the information of the Admiralty any accident which may happen to the armament, arms, or ammunition of the ship, as provided for in Article 895.

1535. Reports, &c., on Armament and Fittings.- The Captain is to make himself acquainted with the details of the reports of gunnery and torpedo trials and other reports and correspondence relating to the armament and electrical fittings of the ship, and copies of these are to be kept in the Captain's Ship's Book.

536. Opening Magazines.- He is to take care that the main magazines are never opened except by his orders, or by the orders of such officers as he may authorise.

2. When hatches of shell rooms or magazines, necessarily left open for ventilation, are not under the immediate eye of a sentry, one is to be specially placed during the time the hatches are open to prevent the entry of unauthorised persons.

537. Important Keys.- He will .cause the keys of the magazines and spirit-rooms and all other important keys in the ship to be kept in a box, having a glass front, supplied for the purpose and provided with two keys; it is to be fixed outside the door of the Captain's cabin, and is to be in the charge of the sentry. In ships where there is no sentry, the box is to be placed inside the door of the Captain's cabin.

2. The keys of the important key box are to be kept by the Captain, who may, at his discretion, place one key under the charge of the sentry. In the latter case, the sentry is to be furnished with a list of persons to whom access to the key box is authorised.

3. The name of each key will be marked distinctly over its hook in the box, so that the absence of a key from its hook will show that the key is in use.

4. A board is to be hung above or below the box, and is to be painted red on one side, with the words " Magazine Open," and black on the other side, with the words " Magazine Closed," and every time the key of a magazine is taken away or returned the board is to be turned accordingly. When the box is placed inside a cabin, this board should be hung up outside in a conspicuous place.

5. When it is necessary to open the box the Gunner, Gunner's Mate, or other authorised person to whom the keys of the magazines, etc., may be entrusted, is himself to obtain the key of the box from the Captain or sentry,

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as the case may require. When the purpose for which the keys were removed from the box is accomplished he is carefully to lock the magazine or room, return the keys to the box and the key of the box to the Captain (or sentry).

The person to whom magazine keys are issued is responsible that the indicator board (referred to in clause 4) is turned.

6. When the ship is fitted with a ready-use saluting magazine, the key of this magazine may, at the Captain's discretion, be permanently issued to the Officer of the Watch or the Gunner, care being taken that it is not interchangeable with other magazine keys.

538. Admission to Secret Rooms, &c.- In order to maintain their secret nature, he is to take care that with the exception of

  1. Officers and men of His Majesty's Navy,
  2. Marine officers attached to marine barracks,
  3. Dockyard officers and workmen acting under the orders of the Admirals

Superintendent, no one be allowed inside the submerged torpedo rooms or transmitting station, or on the fire-control platforms of the ship without the written sanction of the Admiralty, or the approval of the Commander-in-Chief.

2. Wireless Telegraphy Office.- No person except:

  1. An officer or man of the Royal Navy or Royal Marines,
  2. or

  3. An officer or man in the civil employment of the Admiralty, whose duties are directly connected with wireless telegraphy or with the execution of duly authorised repairs, is on any account to be allowed inside the wireless telegraphy office, which is to be securely locked when unoccupied.

3. No Communication outside Service.- All details of submerged torpedo tubes, wireless telegraphy and fire-control fittings and arrangements, and the methods of using them, including range finders, are to be considered as of a strictly confidential nature, and information on these subjects is not to be communicated, directly or indirectly, to any persons outside His Majesty's Service.

539. Explosives on Docking.- The Captain is strictly to observe the instructions laid down relative to the removal or otherwise of explosives, in the case of his ship going alongside a dockyard wharf, or into a basin or a dock. See 896 (Explosives on board Ships).

SECTION IV. FIRE PRECAUTIONS.

540. The Captain will observe, and cause to be observed by everyone on board, the following regulations against fire:

1. Naked Lights.- No naked lights are to be used in any part of the ship below decks, except in the usual hand lamps in the engine and boiler rooms.

2. Lights in Confined Spaces.- Lights, other than the fitted electric lights, when used in store-rooms or other confined spaces, except in coal bunkers (see Article 514, Steam Manual), are to be in lamp, Pattern 275.

Spirit-room, &c.- No lights or lamps whatever are allowed to be taken into the spirit-room, nor into the store-room specially appropriated for inflammable liquids.

3. Workmen's Lights.- Care is to be taken that all lights which have been used by dockyard or other artificers are properly extinguished.

4. Lights after Rounds.- Only the authorised lights are to be used after the evening rounds of inspection, except by permission.

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5. Officers' Lights.- Lights are to be extinguished. in officers' mess-rooms at the following times :

Gun-room and warrant officers' mess

At sea, 9.30 p.m.
Harbour 10.0 p.m.

Ward-room

At sea 10.30 p.m.
Harbour, 11.0 p.m.

In sleeping cabins lights should be extinguished half-an-hour later.

Lights beyond the foregoing hours may be allowed with the special authority, in each case, of the Captain on the application of a responsible officer.

6. Electric Lighting.- As any danger of fire from electric lighting can only be due to improper fitting of the circuits or neglect of the necessary precaution in working the lights, strict attention is to be paid to the instructions contained in the Torpedo Manual and in any circulars bearing on the subject. No alterations in the circuits fitted by the dockyard are to be made without Admiralty sanction.

The connections of portable lamps in store-rooms and confined spaces are to be unshipped from their sockets when not in use, and the switches of all portable lamps left " off " when done with.

7. Mineral Oil.- No mineral oil of any kind other than that specially approved by the Admiralty is to be used for lighting or any other purposes.

8. Matches.- Only safety matches are to be allowed on board, and precautions are to be taken in their use and stowage. They are not to be allowed in magazines, store-rooms, bread-rooms, slop-rooms, or holds.

At inspections the inspecting officer is to satisfy himself that proper precautions have been taken to prevent accidents from their use.

9. Inflammable Liquids, stole-room for.- A special store-room should be appropriated for spirits of turpentine, varnishes and any other highly inflammable liquid which may be specially allowed-and where this cannot be done fittings for the stowage of these inflammable liquids are to be provided in the spirit-room. They are not to be stowed elsewhere.

10. Issue of.- They are never to be drawn off from any cask or receptacle anywhere else than on the upper or main deck, and only in daylight, away from any fire, and, if possible, from any light, but if a light is absolutely necessary a safety lamp is to be used.

11. Bottom Composition.- The supply of composition for the ship's bottom is to be limited to the small quantity necessary to make good defects at the water-line, and is on no account to be used inside the ship.

12. Stowage.- Inflammable liquids are to be stowed and used with special care, and such stores are only to be received and kept on board in approved pattern casks, drums or cans with screw bungs, as specified against each in the list mentioned in clause 15.

13. For completing Defects.- No inflammable liquids other than those specified on the Sea Store Establishments are to be received on board for completing defects.

14. Limit to Inflammable Liquids on Board.- No inflammable liquids other than those specified on the Sea Store Establishments, and spirits for consumption, are to be received on board except for conveyance, or in accordance with Article 1800, clause 4.

15. Authority for Conveyance.- No inflammable liquids other than those included in the list inserted in the Guard Book containing Special Memoranda are to be received on board for conveyance, without special written authority.

16. Private Inflammable Liquids.- No inflammable liquid nor any substance of an explosive or dangerous character, nor anything susceptible of spontaneous ignition is to be on board as private property, without the special sanction of the Admiralty, except the following, which are to be stowed as indicated :

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  1. Spirits for the use of officers :- If in casks, to be stowed in the spirit-room, and, if in bottles, in the proper store-rooms ;
  2. Oil for lamps:- To be kept in tanks similar to those provided for this oil as supplied on the Sea Store Establishments ;
  3. Private ammunition:- Filled cartridges to be kept in the small arms magazine in proper boxes. Gunpowder to be stowed in the magazine in the same way as spare service powder.

17. Report At Evening Quarters.- At evening quarters the responsible persons are to ascertain and report that all tanks, casks, drums and cans containing inflammable liquids in use are in good condition, do not leak, and are stowed in their proper places with their taps and bungs properly turned off or screwed down.

18. Oil, Tallow, Cotton Waste and other wipings are to be kept in the iron tanks supplied for the purpose which should be placed as far from the boilers, or from any high temperature, as possible. Cotton waste and other wipings which are saturated with oil or grease are to be destroyed immediately after use.

19. Ventilators.- All ventilators are to be periodically examined to guard against accumulations of rubbish in them.

20. Phosphide of Calcium Lights, for night life buoys and for Whitehead torpedoes, etc., are always to be kept in the boxes provided for them, which are not to be stowed in the magazine ; they are to be kept in a store-room where they are not likely to ignite by being damaged and coming into contact with water. Any leak in the cases will be readily detected by the strong odour of phosphorus it will emit. Immediate attention should be given to this, and, if damaged; the case should be thrown overboard.

21. Acids are not to be kept near any substance or article of an easily inflammable character, nor where they can damage other stores.

22. Engine Department.- The special precautions against fire which are applicable to the engine and boiler rooms, and to coal and the coal bunkers, will be found in detail in the Steam Manual, and are to be strictly observed.

23. Notices.- Printed copies of this Article are to be hung conspicuously on the mess decks and in engine-rooms and officers' quarters.

541. Fire Stations.- The Captain will establish proper fire stations and regulations for the guidance of the officers and men, in case a fire takes place in the ship, either during " Action " or at any other time ; in doing this he will be guided by the Admiralty Watch Bill and Gunnery Manual at the time in force.

2. He will cause copies of the drawings showing the position and lead of all pumps, pipes, cocks and valves connected with the fire service and flooding arrangements of the ship to be hung in some conspicuous position for the use of the officers and men.

SECTION V. REGULATIONS FOR CLOSING WATER-TIGHT DOORS.

542. The Captain will take care that the following rules relative to closing water-tight doors and valves are strictly observed:

The signal for closing water-tight doors is to be given in all ships by continuous short sharp blasts on the fog-horn. In every ship and vessel a fog-horn is to be kept ready for use at a moment's notice, both by day and night in such a position as will ensure its being heard at all stations. In large

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vessels, or in those of peculiar construction, it may be necessary, for this purpose, to place more than one, in different parts of the ship.

2. When to be closed.-In every ship and vessel, a$ soon as the anchor is off the ground, all hatches, doors and valves, automatic or otherwise, below the armoured deck, are to be closed by hand, and not opened until the anchor is let go again, except in the following cases :

  1. For purposes of ventilation for half-an-hour in the day, or for so long as is considered absolutely necessary by the Captain.
  2. In parts of the ship which it is absolutely necessary. to keep constantly ventilated, such as where men are employed or sleeping.

In both the above cases men should be specially stationed to close by hand, when required, all openings which are left open by necessity.

3. At sea, doors are to be kept closed in the engine-rooms and stokeholds with the exception of the bunker doors in each stokehold from which the coal is being worked, and one door between each two bunkers.

4. The instructions contained in the preceding clause as to closing of doors in the engine-room department at sea are to apply for the present to the following classes of ships only :

BATTLESHIPS CRUISERS
" Dreadnought." " Invincible."
" Lord Nelson," " Minotaur,"
" King Edward VII," " Duke of Edinburgh,"
" Bulwark," " Drake,"
" Duncan," " Devonshire,"
" Triumph," " Monmouth,"
" Canopus," " Cressy,"

and any future ships.

5. In ships, other than the above, the doors referred to may be opened at sea, provided that men are stationed to close them at once, if required, deck hands being employed for this duty when the circumstances render this necessary.

All bunker doors, however, other than those from which the coal is being worked, are to be kept shut.

543. Precautions in Action.- In action, at general quarters, or in a fog, when water-tight doors would be closed generally, certain doors such as magazines, ammunition passage doors, etc., will have to be opened, but men who are working in these spaces are to be told off to be responsible for closing the doors and hatches in case of collision or damage to the ship. Special means are to be provided for conveying the orders for closing all such doors in the most expeditious manner possible.

Thus, at sea, ships will be under the same conditions in regard to watertight doors as if going into action, except that the magazines, etc., will be closed.

2. The collision bulkhead is always to be kept intact.

3. Doors, &c., which are to be kept closed.- All empty water-tight compartments are to be kept closed. Doors or openings which are required for giving the necessary facilities for removing certain parts of the auxiliary machinery should be kept closed and water-tight until required for use.

4. Gunports, Armoured Doors and Automatic Valves.- The collision stations are to include the closing of gunports and armoured doors. If necessary, ladders are to be rigged for facilitating traffic on these occasions. The means of closing automatic valves by hand are to be periodically examined in order to ascertain that they are in working order.

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544. Test of Water-tight Compartments.- The water-tightness of the compartments of His Majesty's ships is to be tested periodically. Commanders-in-Chief are to order a compartment of each ship to be flooded at least once a year, care being taken that a sufficient head of water is obtained.

If the compartment selected is a small one, such as awing compartment or small passage, no previous notice should be given, but if it is a large one, notice should be given and due precautions taken to remove any stores or fittings liable to damage, and opportunity should be taken of the ship being in dock on the blocks, but with the dock full of water.

If the compartment tested should not be found water-tight, full investigation is to be made of the cause, and a report forwarded.

2. Officers in command of His Majesty's ships are to pay constant attention to the care of all water-tight fittings, so that the efficiency of the ships may not be impaired through any defect in the water-tightness of the compartments.

3. Inspection.-Whenever ships are inspected, inspecting officers are to satisfy themselves that the condition of the water-tight compartments, fittings, &c., is satisfactory, and that the periodical tests have been properly carried out.

545. Practice in closing Water-tight Doors.- The Captain is to pay the strictest attention to the necessity of frequently exercising the crews in closing water-tight doors without previous warning, in order that the fullest advantage may be derived, in case of need, from the means provided for the protection of ships from the risks incident to collision or fire, and a record of such practice is to be inserted in the log:

2. Stations.- In every ship men are to be detailed whose duty it will be when the fog-horn sounds, to proceed with all speed and close the doors to which they are severally appointed. This is to be a peremptory arrangement in all ships, and the Captain is to take special care that the numbers of men so detailed shall be sufficient to provide for the casualties from sickness and other causes of absence.

3. All water-tight doors are to be kept clear for immediate closing. No fitting of any kind is to be allowed which will require to be removed before the doors can be shut.

546. Charge of Water-tight Doors.- Water-tight doors, which include horizontal trap or flap doors as well as vertical hinged doors between decks., armoured hatches, are in the charge of the Engineer Officer, who is responsible for their efficiency, and for their being closed when not in use.

2. Examination of Cocks, Valves and Slides.-Cocks, sluice-valves and water-tight slides in connection with water-tight compartments and ventilation, and water-tight doors,. armoured hatches and their securing arrangements are to be examined and worked at least once a week, under the directions of the Engineer Officer, to see that they are in proper and efficient working order.

3. Artificial Ventilation.- In ships with artificial ventilation the various water-tight cocks and slides which can only be worked below the water-line are to be carefully closed immediately after the ventilating fans have ceased to work, so that, in the event of accident, the water shall be prevented from passing from one compartment into another.

547. Letters on Water-tight Bulkheads, etc.- The distinguishing letters of water-tight bulkheads and doors, as shown in the drawings furnished by the dockyard (Article 950), are to be painted on them in prominent positions and in conspicuous characters, and when necessary the lettering is to be renewed so that the letters may at all times be readily distinguishable.

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SECTION VI. SMOKING REGULATIONS.

548. The following regulations with regard to smoking are to be observed in all His Majesty's ships:

  1. Appointed Places.- The Captain will appoint the places in the ship where during the prescribed hours the officers and ship's company are to be permitted to smoke, subject to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief at every inspection, but no smoking is to be allowed below the gun-deck, except in the cabins of Flag Officers and Captains, or in smoking rooms authorised by the Admiralty.
  2. Regulation Hours.- The hours when smoking is to be permitted, provided it does not interfere with the work in hand at the time, are :-During the meal hours of the ship's company, and, as regards the officers, until 8.55 a.m. In the evening, after quarters in harbour, for officers, till 11 p.m. ; ship's company, till 9.20 p.m. At sea, for officers, till 9.30 p.m., and for ship's company, till :8.20 p.m.
  3. Sundays and Thursdays.- On Sundays and also on Thursdays, when it does not interfere with the work going on, or the necessary drills in newly commissioned ships, smoking may be permitted in the afternoon until the pipe " clear up decks."
  4. Night Watches.- The Captain may also, at his discretion, permit smoking during the night watches for a period not exceeding one hour in each watch.
  5. Divine Service.- Smoking is not to be allowed during Divine Service.
  6. In Boats.- Smoking in the boats of His Majesty's ships is prohibited when on duty, unless such boats are detached on service for any length of time, in which case smoking may be allowed within the hours already prescribed.
  7. Alongside Yards, &c.- Officers and men of ships alongside dockyards, wharves, or jetties may be permitted to smoke on board at the hours and places sanctioned by the Regulations, but not in ships in docks or basins unless with the written sanction of the Superintendent.
  8. Officers on shore in uniform are prohibited from smoking in the public streets.
  9. Age.- No officer or boy under 18 years of age is to be allowed to take up tobacco, nor to smoke either on shore or afloat.
  10. All officers and men are to be careful to obey any regulations which prohibit smoking on board ships under dockyard control, in dockyards, ordnance stores, magazines, &c., or while embarking explosives.

SECTION VII. CLOTHING, CLEANLINESS AND HEALTH.

549. Divisions.- The Captain is to divide the ship's company, except the marines, into divisions, and is to place a Lieutenant in charge of each division, who is to have under his orders as many Sub-Lieutenants and Midshipmen as the number on board will admit.

He is to take special care that the divisional officers conform in every particular to the directions contained in the Instructions for Lieutenant.

550. Adherence to Regulation Kit.- The Captain will take care that the established uniform and regulation kit for petty officers, seamen; and boys is strictly adhered to; he is not to permit any deviation from the sealed patterns or drawings, and is to require that attention shall be paid to every detail, so that on transfer to other ships men and boys may be spared the expense of alterations.

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The numbers of the articles may, however, be exceeded when of the authorised pattern, if they can be conveniently stowed.

2. Ribbons and Medals.- He is to see that the men are in possession of, and wear the proper ribbons for, the medals which may have been awarded to them, as noted on their service certificates.

Any cases of missing medals or clasps should be dealt with as shown in Article 1560 (Replacement of Medals).

551. Inspection of Clothing and Bedding.- He will cause the men's clothing and bedding to be inspected by the divisional officers periodically, taking care that the inspections are so conducted as not to be unnecessarily irksome to the men. (See also Article 620, clause 5.)

2. Issue of Clothing.- Facilities are to be provided for the issue of clothing to the men as frequently as is necessary, and the Captain is to satisfy himself that the arrangements are adequate. The issue of clothing to boys is to be regulated so that they may generally be kept clear of debt. The procedure for issuing clothing is shown in Article 1743..

552. Proper and Dry Clothing.- The Captain is to see that the men are properly clothed in the establishes uniform, according to the nature of the climate in which they may be serving; that they are generally clean in their persons and dress, and that they are never permitted to remain in wet clothes, nor sleep in wet bedding, when it can be possibly avoided.

2. Bedding.- The bedding is to be aired once a week when the weather will permit it, each article being exposed separately to the air. Twice in every year the blankets are to be washed with soap, in warm water, and once a year the bed tickings are to be washed and the hair beaten and teazed.

553. Beards and Moustaches.- The Captain is to permit all the officers and men of the ship, including the Royal Marines, to wear beards and moustaches if they so desire.

When the permission is taken advantage of the use of the razor is to be entirely discontinued, as moustaches are not to be worn without the beard, nor the beard without moustaches, except in the case of officers' stewards and cooks, and marines, who, whether afloat or ashore, may wear their beards and moustaches or moustaches only, as each may elect.

2. The hair of the beard and moustaches or whiskers is to be kept well cut and trimmed. The Captain is to give such directions as may seem to him desirable upon these points, and is to establish, so far as practicable, uniformity as to the length of the hair, beards, moustaches or whiskers of the men.

554. Cleanliness, Ventilation, etc.- The Captain will use his best endeavours to ensure that cleanliness, dryness and good ventilation prevail throughout the ship ; that all compartments are kept dry, and that the drains are frequently flushed and maintained in good order, also that all ventilation pipes and fittings are efficient and ready for use.

He is to take every means to ensure a thorough natural circulation of air throughout the ship at all times, subject to the regulations in regard to the water-tightness of compartments, and he is frequently to examine the ship in company with the Medical Officer, and when any part is found to be not perfectly clean or free from obnoxious smells, he will cause a thorough examination to be made, so as to detect the cause and remove whatever may tend to engender disease.

2. He is to cause an officer to inspect all parts of the ship below every morning, and to report to him whether they are in a clean and well-ventilated state or otherwise.

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3. He will take care that such parts of the ship below as are usually distempered are re-coated every six months or as often as may be necessary.

4. If the weather should prevent the ports from being opened for a considerable time, fires are to be lighted in the stoves and windsails freely used, so that the mess decks and flats may be kept as dry and airy as possible.

5. Poisons.- No poison or poisonous acid is to be used to clean mess traps; nor is virus or poison to be used for the extermination of rats without the prior concurrence of the Medical Officer.

555. Washing Facilities.- He will take care that the officers and men are permitted to avail themselves of the special fittings provided in the ship for personal ablutions ; that as much fresh water as practicable is issued for the purpose ; that the bathroom, when so fitted, is kept supplied with both hot and cold water; that it is open for use every evening after quarters; and that proper times are appointed for men. to wash their persons so that it may be part of the daily routine.

556. Bill of Health.- The Captain will take cave before the ship sails from a home or colonial port for any foreign port, to obtain a bill of health from the proper officer of Customs.

SECTION VIII. LOGS, REGISTER AND SIGNAL BOOKS, SAC.

557. Ship's Log.- The Captain is to examine the ship's log book every day after noon, in order to see that it has been properly kept, and at the end of every 12 months he is to receive the log book from the Navigating Officer in a complete state, and to give that officer a receipt for it.

2. Deck Log.- He is frequently to examine the deck log book to ascertain that, the officers in their respective watches have entered with accuracy, and according to the instructions, all the particulars required to be recorded.

3. Night Order Book.- When the ship is at sea, and at such other times as he may think necessary, the Captain is to leave his orders for the night in the book supplied for the purpose.

558. Engine-room Register.- The Captain is to inspect the engine-room register every day soon after noon, taking care to satisfy himself that all the information required is fully and properly noted, so that a complete record of work done and changes made may be preserved.

559. Signal Log.- The signal log is to contain an accurate record of all visual and sound signals addressed to, or made by the Ship, with the exception of wireless telegraphy signals which are to be recorded in the wireless telegraphy log.

2. A list of the ships in company is to be entered in the log for each day, and the arrivals and departures noted in the " Remarks " column for the 24 hours.

3. In the " Remarks " column should also be noted, so far as can be, all ships-of-war passed or met with, salutes fired, land, lights or lighthouses sighted, and any other observations of interest made by the signalmen which are deserving of record.

4. The Captain is to select an officer or other competent person to keep the log, and is to inspect and initial it once a week. It is also to be examined by the officer who inspects the ship.

5. Disposal of Signal Logs.- The signal log book, when filled up, is to be kept until the ship pays off, and is then to be sent to the Deputy Cashier-in-Charge, Royal Victoria Yard, Deptford, to be kept for record. Each log should be labelled on the back with the name of ship and date before being sent in.

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Signal logs of flagships will be preserved for five years, and other signal logs for three years. At the end of these respective periods they will be destroyed.

560. Safe keeping of Signal Books.- The Captain is responsible for the safe keeping of the signal books, and is to appoint a convenient place for the box in which they should be kept when not in use. Every care is to be taken in the treatment of the signal books ; they are not to be exposed to the weather, and at the end of each watch the Officer of the Watch is to satisfy himself that they are correct.

SECTION IX. INSTRUCTION OF OFFICERS.

561. Course of Instruction.- The course of instruction to be observed in the ship as laid down from time to time is to be diligently pursued, under the inspection of the Captain, during the whole period of the commission. See 328 and Appendix X., Part I. (Instruction of Midshipmen). Whenever possible, the Captain is-to detail a Lieutenant from the ordinary complement who is to be responsible to him for the general arrangement of the Midshipmen's instruction.

2. Midshipmen.- Subject to the Captain's approval, the Lieutenant will arrange their time tables in consultation with the Naval Instructor and other instructing officers, so as to permit of their school and other training proceeding continuously in the various subjects with as little interruption as possible.

3. He will generally watch the progress of each junior officer in every department, and will see that advantage is taken of any opportunities that may offer for assisting in or witnessing any work of special interest which may be in progress. If a Midshipman should be backward in any particular branch he should arrange his work individually, with a view to making good the deficiency before the examination. Any special degree of success in progress will be noted in favour of the Lieutenant.

4. Midshipman's Journal.- He will see that the journal of each Midshipman is properly kept according to the instructions contained therein. The Captain is to have the journal produced for his inspection from time to time, and is to initial it at each inspection.

5. Progress Book.- A progress book (S. 398) recording the instruction given to, and the progress made by Midshipmen is to be kept in every ship, by the officer appointed to supervise the general instruction.

6. An extract from the progress book, with a statement of his progress and the marks he obtained at the last examination, is to accompany each Midshipman on going to another ship, except when going to be examined for the rank of Lieutenant.

562. Steam Instruction.- The Captain will appoint one of the engineer officers to carry out the Steam Instruction of such of the commissioned officers of the Military Branch as may desire to avail themselves thereof, and from time to' time he-is to ascertain the progress made by these officers in this important branch of knowledge.

563. Opportunities for Instruction.- The Captain is to take advantage of all opportunities afforded by the service upon which the ship is employed to cause the officers whom it may concern to be instructed in manoeuvring the ship, signalling, pilotage, surveying, handling boats under all conditions, and in such other branches of knowledge as will add to their professional efficiency.

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SECTION X. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

564. Machinery and Boilers.- The Captain will pay the most careful attention to all matters connected with the preservation of the machinery and boilers, and he will at all times, except in cases of extreme urgency, take care that the fires are lighted sufficiently early to prevent injury to the engines and boilers from getting up steam too quickly.

565. Engine-room.- The Captain is to visit the engine-room at least once in every 24 hours.

566. Defects.- The Captain is to keep the ship as free from defects, and as ready for service, as the means on board will permit.

2. He is to cause the artificers and artisans of the ship to repair all such defects, including those of guns, mountings, torpedoes and their discharges, and other naval ordnance stores, as may be within their means, in order that on arriving in port as little assistance as possible may be required from the dockyard or other establishments. For detailed list of defects to be made good by ship's staff, see " Memorandum of Instructions to Sea Stores Establishment," also Home Dockyard Regulations, Article 676.

A weekly return (form S. 163) is to be rendered to the Captain in all ships in commission, except torpedo boat destroyers and torpedo boats, by the Executive and Engineer Officer, of the employment of artisan and .engineer ratings respectively, showing the defects made good and any new defects which may have been developed. This return is not to be rendered in war time, or by vessels which are commissioned temporarily for manoeuvres.

3. No proposals are to be made for any alterations that would not add to the efficiency of the ship.

567. Boats.- The Captain is to take care that all the boats of the ship are kept efficient and ready for any service at the shortest notice, and that the men are properly stationed for getting them out or in, and exercised in manning and arming them.

2. He is to cause the special regulations in Article 645 to be observed, with the view of preserving the non-sinking properties of steam and other boats which are fitted with air-cases.

3. He is to take care that the instructions in regard to boats contained in the signal manual, boarding book, and boats' signal book, as well as any other instructions that he may have received or issued on the subject, shall be known and observed by the officers and men.

568. Losses of Stores.- The Captain is to report for the information of the Admiralty, in detail, and by the earliest opportunity, whenever any gun, boat, anchor, or any other valuable or important stores are lost, or any mast, yard, or spar is materially injured, or whenever any accident of a serious nature occurs to the ship's hull, machinery, or boilers.

2. Accidents and serious Defects.- When any, accident happens which causes entire or partial disablement of the ship for service, or when any serious defect is discovered in the hull, machinery, or boilers, the cause of which is not clear, the senior officer present should direct an inquiry to be at once held as to the cause of the accident or defect, and a full special report with evidence, finding, and sketches should be forwarded to the Admiralty. Pending the inquiry, the defective parts are, if it can be done without inconvenience to the Service, to be left as nearly as possible in the condition in which they were found immediately after the accident occurred or the defect was discovered.

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3. Contact with Floating or Sunken Objects.- In the case of a ship coming into contact with floating or sunken objects, or with wharves or piers, the facts are to be fully stated, with a view to a careful examination being made of the plating affected, in case it should seem to be necessary. See 1104 (Ships entering Docks or Basins).

569 Working Parties.- The Captain will take care that detached working parties are, when practicable, placed in charge of a commissioned officer, with a proportion of subordinate and petty officers to assist him. When marines form part of it, a non-commissioned officer is to accompany them if possible. The officer in charge is on no account to quit the party to follow his private affairs, nor is he to allow any person under his orders to do so, and he is to conform to the regulations of the establishment in which he may be employed at the time.

2. Arrangements are always to be made for men in working parties, or employed out of the ship, to return to their dinners at the usual time, as no men should be absent from the ship during the meal hours except in cases of necessity.. 'Working parties for the shore are on all ordinary occasions to breakfast before being sent away from the ship.

570. Reporting Proceedings.- The Captain is by occasional and proper opportunities to send particular accounts of his proceedings to the officer under whose orders he may be placed, or if not under the orders of any officer, to the Admiralty. He is to report all circumstances that have occurred, and all intelligence he may have obtained worthy of notice.

2. Important Intelligence.- If the Captain should in time of emergency obtain intelligence which he may think necessary to send to his Commander-in-Chief or to any ambassador or minister, squadron or ship, army or fortress of His Majesty or his allies, and which he is unable otherwise to communicate, he is to hire for the purpose on the most reasonable terms possible such a fit private vessel as he is able to procure.

He is to make an agreement in writing with the owner, or with the master, if the owner is not present, in which is to be particularly specified all the service the vessel is to perform, and the rate at which she is to be paid for performing it.

He is only to take such a step if the intelligence is of such urgent consequence as to justify the expense, and he is to be extremely careful to whom he entrusts the conveyance of the actual despatches.

571. Port or Station Orders.- On commissioning, and during the commission on arrival from sea, the Captain will take care to obtain or complete from the office of the Commander-in-Chief or Senior Officer, his copies of the standing orders of the port or station, and ships abroad falling in with each other are to compare and correct to the latest date, the Admiralty or station orders they may" each have received, the Senior Officer being careful that this is done.

572. Charge of Ship.- The Captain is not to entrust the charge of the ship when under way to any officer, whether confirmed or acting, or to any other person, unless he has satisfied himself that such officer or person is acquainted with the regulations for preventing collisions at sea.

2. The Captain is never to allow an officer of a foreign navy, who may be borne as a supernumerary, to be placed in charge of a watch.

573. Collision with Merchant Ship.- The Captain, in every case of collision between his ship and a merchant vessel, in addition to his special report which

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in the United Kingdom should be by telegraph, and should include a statement as to where the merchant vessel, if in default, is to be found, and up to what date-is to transmit, without delay, statements in detail from such of the officers and crew as he may consider desirable, as to the circumstances of the occurrence, and especially as to the following points, so far as they may be applicable to the case :

  1. The time and place of the collision.
  2. The name and owner of the merchant ship.
  3. The force and direction of the wind.
  4. The state of the weather.
  5. The state and force of the tide.
  6. Whether His Majesty's ship was at anchor or under way; if under wax, the course and speed to be stated.
  7. The time when the other vessel was first seen.
  8. The lights, if any, carried by His Majesty's ship.
  9. The distance and bearing of the other vessel when first seen.
  10. The lights, if any, of the other vessel which were first seen.
  11. Whether any lights of the other vessel, other than those first seen, came into view before the collision.
  12. What measures were taken on board His Majesty's ship, and when, to avoid the collision.
  13. The parts of each vessel which first came into contact.
  14. Whether either ship was in charge of a tug or pilot.
  15. Whether blame is attributable, and, if so, to whom, and to what extent. (P) An approximate estimate of the cost of making good the damage done to either or both ships.

Under Section 688 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, power is given to detain any ship at fault, that has caused injury to any of His Majesty's ships, or to any property of His Majesty, and therefore the special report, mentioned at the commencement hereof, should contain ail particulars necessary to enable the Admiralty to place the matter at once in the solicitor's hands, if thought desirable.

It is to be observed that, except in extreme cases, to save life or to avert further serious damage to ship or cargo, no steps should be taken to effect repairs, nor anything done that may be construed into an admission of liability, until orders from the Admiralty have been received.

574. Derelict Vessels.- Should any of His Majesty's ships fall in with any water-logged vessel abandoned at sea, which constitutes a danger to navigation, the derelict is to be examined, and unless the cargo is composed of such large baulks of timber as would themselves become a danger if released, or the 'Position of the wreck is such as to make it probable that she may soon be towed unto port, every effort is to be made to sink or to otherwise destroy her.

2. Officers in command are to report by telegraph to the Admiralty from the first part of call, the position of any derelict vessel which may have been sighted: during the voyage.

575. Officer's Grave Illness.- Whenever an officer's illness gives cause for grave anxiety, a report is to be telegraphed without delay to the Admiralty, who will take steps to inform the relatives. Should the Commander-in-Chief not be present,, the telegram is to be despatched direct to the Admiralty by the Captain of the ship, or the Principal Medical Officer of the hospital or hospital ship as the case may be.

2. Deaths.- The death of an officer, man, or boy, together with the cause of death, and in the case of a man or boy the rating and official number, is to

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be reported by telegraph to the Admiralty. When the death occurs at a Royal Naval hospital or sick quarters, the Principal or Senior Medical Officer' is to forward the telegraphic report, but in all other cases the Commanding Officer of the ship on whose books the man is borne is to forward this report. In the case of an officer, the Commander-in-Chief is also to be at once informed.:

3. The Captain will also report without loss of time on form S. 1121 direct to the Admiralty, as well as to the Commander-in-Chief, the death of any officer, man or boy who is borne on the books of the ship, for pay (including cases referred to in Article 1427), for victuals, or, as provided for in Article 601, for discipline only, whether the death occurs on board or elsewhere, taking care also that in the case of a man or boy the death is at once communicated by letter to his nearest relatives or friends. See 1857 (Deaths to be recorded in Log and reported to Registrar-General of Births, Deaths, and Marriages).

4. Telegrams which may be sent from a ship in the above cases direct to the relatives must be considered as private messages and paid for accordingly.

5. Officers or Men Drowned.- In cases of drowning, when the body is not recovered at the time, particulars of the occurrence, with a full description for purposes of identification, are to be forwarded to the District Captain of Coast Guard concerned at home, or left with the consular authority abroad. Form S. 243, altered as necessary, should be used for the purpose.

576. Accidental Deaths.- In the event of the accidental death of, or serious bodily injury to, an officer or other person belonging to His Majesty's Navy and borne on ship's books, the circumstances are to be at once investigated by a court of inquiry composed of members specially qualified to deal with any technical questions involved.

2. The court is to be convened by the senior officer present under the provisions of Article 703. It is to sit with closed doors, and no part of the report or of the proceedings is to be divulged without the sanction of the Admiralty, except on foreign stations, when the senior officer present may use his discretion in the matter.

3. The minutes and proceedings are to be forwarded to the Admiralty with as little delay as possible, a copy being sent to the Commander-in-Chief in the case of ships detached from the flag.

577. Inquests.- When it may be necessary to hold an inquest in England, Wales or Ireland touching the death of any person on board and belonging to a ship, the Captain will acquaint the coroner, within whose jurisdiction the ship may be, with all the circumstances of the case, care being taken to have all the witnesses in attendance at the time the coroner may appoint for holding the inquest. In no case will any officer of the fleet, on actual service and full pay, be called upon to serve as a juror on these inquiries.

If any person on board of or belonging to a ship is killed by accident or dies suddenly in Scottish waters, information should be given to the local Procurator Fiscal who is charged with the duty of collecting evidence for the information of the Crown Authorities. A public fatal accident or sudden death inquiry may be ordered, and if so intimation as to time and place will be made by the Sheriff Clerk.

2. In order that the Admiralty may, if possible, be legally represented at the coroner's inquest or, in Scotland, at the public fatal accidents and sudden deaths inquiry, the Captain will immediately acquaint-

  1. if in England-the local agent of the Treasury Solicitor, or, if there is no local law agent and if time permits, the Admiralty.
  2. if in Scotland-the legal adviser to the Admiralty in Scotland.
  3. if in Ireland-the Treasury Solicitor in Ireland.

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3. The legal representative's report of the inquest or fatal accidents and sudden deaths inquiry is to be forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief for the information of the Admiralty. In cases where the Admiralty was not legally represented, the Captain is to furnish a report.

578. Messes.- The Captain is to take care that all the messes are conducted in an orderly manner, and as a rule so economically as to be within the means of every member. He is to see that the Regulations as to the use of wine and spirits, and for the adjustment and payment of mess debts, are strictly complied with.

2. Mess Accounts.- If the Captain should discover from any of the books or mess statements brought before him, or from the audited accounts or by any other means, that excess, extravagance, or irregularity has occurred, either in the case of any mess generally or in that of individual officers, he is to give such directions as he may think proper in order to prevent a repetition of it, and, if necessary, report the matter to the Commander-in-Chief.

Wine Bills.- In particular he is to limit or stop any wine bills which he may consider excessive or extravagant, having regard to the description of liquor consumed and the amount of hospitality exercised.

3. Canteens.- If he permits a canteen to be established on board he is to give special attention to the system upon which it is formed, and the regulations drawn up for its control, as directed in Articles 855 to 859.

SECTION XI. LETTERS AND MAILS.

579. Postman.- The Captain is to take care that a trustworthy non-commissioned or petty officer is selected to do duty as postman, to whom he will give authority to receive all letters from the post office, and to sign the necessary receipts for all registered letters.

2. Letters arriving.- On the arrival of the letters on board they are to be delivered to the Executive Officer, who will entrust them to the Master-at-Arms for distribution. Letters addressed to persons no longer serving in the ship are to be re-addressed and forwarded, or returned to the post office authorities without delay. If returned to post office authorities, the reason of non-delivery must in every case be endorsed upon the cover by the Master-at-Arms.

3. Registered Letter Book.- A book is to be kept by the Master-at-Arms, form S. 568 (at depots, form B. 46), in which all registered letters are to be inserted. This book is to be certified by the postman, and all such letters are to be signed for on delivery by the parties to whom they may be addressed.

580. Registered Letters sent.- At Home, all letters sent from a ship to a post office to be registered are to be given to the Master-at-Arms, to be recorded by him and signed for by the postman, who on his return to the ship, is to hand the post office receipts to the Master-at-Arms, for delivery to the senders of the letters in question.

2. Abroad, letters intended for registration, which are sent in the ship's bag, should be made up in packets marked " Registered Letters," and should be accompanied by a list. This list, in which the addresses and destination of the letters are to be entered, is to be prepared in triplicate, one copy being retained on board and two copies enclosed in an envelope marked outside " Registered Letter List " and tied to the outside of the packet of registered letters. When more than one list is used, the lists should be numbered consecutively and the total number of registered articles should be entered on the last list, which should be marked " Final." When only one list is used this list should also be marked " Final." One copy of the list will be retained at

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the post office at which the mail is opened, and the other copy will be returned I as a token of receipt to the ship in which the letters originated. In the absence of printed forms the list may be prepared on ordinary sheets of paper, each sheet to- be headed :

List of Registered Letters from H.M. Ship at . (Date)

When no registered letters are forwarded in the bag, the list should nevertheless be sent in duplicate, marked " nil."

A receipt on the form supplied for the purpose, in each case, is to be given on board His Majesty's ships to the sender of a registered letter when handed in for posting.

3. Registered letters sent from England to His Majesty's ships on a foreign station, which may be undeliverable, should not be re-posted on shore, but should be returned to England by the next mail enclosed in the registered packet and accompanied by the original list sent to the ship.

581. Letter Bags for Home.- The Captain will take care that the bags containing letters for England are directed as follows:

From His Britannic Majesty's Ship " at

For the Post Office, England.

582. Letters to Foreign Stations.- Separate bags are made up for each of His Majesty's ships on foreign stations, and such registered correspondence as there may be for each ship is enclosed in the several bags and entered on a " Letter Bill," which is also enclosed in each bag, and which is to be signed by the senior Executive Officer who opens the bag, and promptly returned to the Sub-Controller, Foreign Branch, General Post Office, by the first homeward mail, not in an envelope, but so folded that the printed address on the outside may be visible. No postage need be paid on these forms.

2. Registered Letters received.- The officer who signs the " Letter Bill " is responsible for the distribution of the registered letters, and should be careful to obtain a receipt from the persons to whom they are addressed in the column provided for the purpose.

3. Unpaid Postage.- In cases where insufficient postage has been prepaid on a letter, the amount of the deficiency marked on the letter should be recovered from the recipient. These sums are to be collected by the Master-at-Arms and handed to the Accountant Officer who is to debit himself with the amount in his current cash account, as an extra receipt, under the head of " His Majesty's Postmaster-General, Unpaid Postage recovered."

The debit in the cash account is to be supported by a voucher, made out on a form supplied by the Admiralty (Accountant-General).

4. In all cases of disputed charges the amount charged should be paid, and the covers of the letters sent to the General Post Office with the letter bills, in order that an explanation may be furnished.

SECTION XII. ANCHORS AND CABLES.

583. Chain Cables.- The Captain is to attend most carefully to the state and preservation of the chain cables. to ensure every precaution being taken to keep them from undue wear or corrosion, and he is to see that the Navigating Officer and the Boatswain pay the same attention to this very important subject. See 1829 to 1833 (Surveying and Testing Cables).

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584. Cables Cut or Slipped.- The Captain is never to cut or slip a cable while there is a possibility of weighing the anchor, except in a case of emergency, such as chasing an enemy or, for the safety of the ship, but if necessary to do so, or if the cable is parted he is to use his utmost endeavours to recover it and the anchor, immediately the weather and other circumstances admit of the attempt being made. If the ship should be sent to sea, the Senior Officer left at the anchorage is to recover them if possible.

2. Loss of Anchor or Cable.- If an anchor or cable should be lost in any harbour or roadstead, or if an attempt made to recover it should prove unsuccessful, the Captain is to report it to the Admiralty through the Commander-in-Chief, if under the orders of one, and also to the Superintendent of the nearest dockyard, detailing the circumstances in which the loss occurred, and transmitting a plan of the harbour or roadstead on which is marked, as near as possible, the spot where the anchor is supposed to lie, giving also any cross marks or the bearings and distances of the nearest points of land that may have been taken from the spot.

3. He is to leave similar full written particulars with the Consul or other chief British authority at the place, for the guidance of the Captain of any of His Majesty's ships calling there, who; if consistent with his orders, is to endeavour to recover the lost articles.

585. Report of Loss.- On every occasion of the parting of a cable or the loss or breakage of an anchor, a report, on form S. 541, is to be at once made to the Admiralty through the Commander-in-Chief, giving full information as to the cause of the parting or breakage and the circumstances in which it occurred.

586. Precautions as to Moorings.-When lying at moorings he is to take care to observe every precaution with regard to them which the Captain of the Dockyard may think necessary, and he will see so far as he is concerned that no moorings of any description are laid down at any of His Majesty's naval ports without the permission of the dockyard authorities.

SECTION XIII. PAYMENTS, CASH AND STORE ACCOUNTS AND SURVEYS.

587. Precautions as to Payments.- The Captain, whenever payments are to be made, is to be careful that they take place at regular hours, and that all persons who are to be paid are in attendance so far as practicable. See 1602 (Payments in General).

2. Miss-muster Payments.- He is to give all necessary facilities for miss-muster payments, removing any causes for money transactions being conducted except by strict Service methods, and is to ensure that form S. 6 is kept conspicuously exhibited on the notice boards and in the pay office of the ship. See 1332, clause 4 (Officers authorised to receive and disburse Public Money).

588. Cash Account and Balances.- In regard to the cash account and cash balances he will observe the following regulations :

1. Counting Balance.- He, or two or more officers specially appointed by him on each occasion, when the proper time arrives, will count the balance of the public money in the Accountant Officer's charge, and compare it with that shown by the cash book, viz.

  1. At uncertain periods, but once at least in each quarter.
  2. On the last day of each month, after ail payments for the month and quarter have been made or on the first day of the succeeding month before any transactions have taken place.
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  4. On paying off, except when abroad, and the instructions contained in Article 1133 are consequently carried out.
  5. On the supersession of the Accountant Officer, or on his being relieved of his duties, from illness or any. other cause.

2. The following instructions show the procedure to be followed by the examining officer in conducting the verification of the Paymaster's money balances on board His Majesty's ships, but they are not intended to relieve the examining officer of any responsibility for the thoroughness or correctness. of his examination, or to prevent him from adopting any additional precautions. he may consider necessary

  1. With the exception indicated in Article 1654, the examining officer should have before him, at one and the same time, the whole of the cash, postal orders, postage stamps, &c., on board, with the bank certificate of balance in the case of a ship allowed to have a banking account, together constituting the balance of public money in the hands of the Accountant Officer, and also the cash constituting the balances on any other accounts entrusted to the Accountant Officer either under these Regulations or otherwise with the approval of the Commanding Officer (e.g., moneys deposited for custody under Article 1638, Canteen Funds, under Article 857, Canteen Ship's Fund, Mess, Wine, Sorts, and Band Funds, &c.). After satisfying himself that these balances are correct and in accordance with the record thereof in the cash balance book he is to countersign the latter book in the space provided (Article 1666). The statement required by Article 858, showing the amount of canteen, &c., money on hand is also to be produced for inspection at the time, and with the cash, &c., should remain in the presence of the examining officer till the verification of the balance has been completed by him arid the certificate signed. In the case of mess and any other accounts which are only audited quarterly (Article 846) the balance found to be due as-the result of such audit is, as soon as the audit is completed, to be compared with the cash balance thereon, verified by the examining officer, and recorded in the cash balance book, any discrepancy being reported to the Commanding Officer.
  2. Bank notes, postal orders, &c., should be counted in detail, and loose cash either counted, measured in pay trays, or weighed, if there be means at hand, as may be considered necessary or desirable.
  3. Bags of gold should be opened and counted, but bags of silver and copper, sealed up by bankers or other responsible persons, may be taken at their marked contents, should the examining officer be satisfied on a close inspection that they have not been opened or otherwise tampered with, subject, however, to his opening and verifying the contents of one or more bags, which he will himself select.
  4. Money conveyed in cases, boxes, or bags, for a yard or for another ship, &c., which may form part of the Accountant Officer's balance, may be taken at its marked value, unless the examining officer should see any reason to suspect that any such case, box, or bag has been opened, or otherwise tampered with.

3. Monthly Examination of Cash Account.- On the last day of each month he will examine, or cause the before-mentioned officers to examine, the cash account for the month, and in so doing the vouchers or other necessary documents in support of the debit's and credits are to be inspected, and the amounts compared with the several entries in the cash account, and the balance of public

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money, as shown in the Account, is also to be compared with the balance actually found, and the account and certificates signed as required by Article 1670. Should any corrections be necessary, they are to be made in red ink, and initialled by the Captain or by the examining officers, and a detailed statement is to be forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief for the information of the Admiralty.

4. Transmission of Cash Account, &c.- Within the first ten days of each month the cash account of the preceding month is to be delivered open by the Accountant Officer to the Captain, who will give him a receipt for it. The Captain is to sign it and fill in the summary form S. 452, with his own hand, noting the date and the position of the ship at the time. The cash account and summary are to be retained in the Captain's own possession until the first opportunity that offers of forwarding them. The Captain will personally transmit the account and summary under separate covers to the Accountant-General as soon as possible, appending to the summary a certificate on form S. 452a, of the cash balances, other than that due on the public account, verified in accordance with clause 2 (a) of this Article, and the statement required by Article 858. When despatched he will notice in his letter-book the date, and by what conveyance, he personally forwarded them.

5. Paying-off Abroad.- Should the ship be paid off abroad, he will take care that the cash book, cash account, and vouchers are promptly completed by the Accountant Officer, and he will personally forward them to the Accountant -Officer selected by the Flag or Senior Officer, in order that they may be immediately examined in the manner prescribed by Article 1133, before the cash account and vouchers are transmitted to the Accountant-General.

6. Balance on Supersession, &c.- On the supersession or relief of the Accountant Officer, or on paying off at home, he will see that the balance due to the Crown has been duly taken on charge, noting to whom it has been actually transferred.

589. Demands for Money.- The regulations to be observed by the Captain in approving demands for the supply of money for the public service are laid down in Article 1638, and those for remittances in Article 1650.

590. Payments made under the Captain's authority for services not immediately connected with the Accountant Officer's duties, will be allowed on the production of satisfactory vouchers, but the amounts will be charged against the Captain should there be any irregularity or deficiency in the vouchers attributable to him, or should he have sanctioned an excessive or improper expenditure.

591. Accounts of Officers in charge of Stores.- When Officers in charge of Stores are ordered to be discharged, the Captain is to satisfy himself that their accounts have been kept in accordance with the Regulations and are complete. Should this not be the case the Captain is to report the circumstances for the consideration of the Admiralty. In the event of an officer who is required by the Regulations to keep a log-book or journal having failed to do so, the same course is to be adopted.

592. Officers' Receipts before sailing.- Before sailing, or on being ready for service ordered, the Captain is to take care that the respective officers in charge sign the necessary receipts for supplies obtained and procure receipts for stores returned. .

593. Surveys.- The Captain's approval is required to all Surveys connected with the ship he commands, except surveys upon invalids; he is to deal with

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or report any partiality or injustice on the part of the surveying officers that may come to his knowledge, and, should he dissent from the recommendations, he is to state his reasons either on the report or by separate letter.

594. Death or Removal of Accountant Officer.- The Captain will take care, on the death of the Accountant Officer, or on his removal from any cause, that the necessary steps are taken for an immediate survey on the public money, and all stores in his charge. See 1343, 1344 (Death or Incapacity of Accountant Officer), and 1642, clause 4 (Keys of Money Chests).

SECTION XIV. DISCHARGE OF OFFICERS AND MEN

595. Applications for Discharge or Transfer.- The Captain will bear in mind that no application for the discharge or transfer of an officer from his ship, nor for such lengthened leave of absence as might render .his return improbable will be entertained unless he shall certify on the application that he is satisfied with the conduct of such officer ; and he is also to certify in every application for survey on an officer, as well as for his discharge or transfer, that the request is not made for the purpose of removing the officer from the ship in consequence of any misconduct.

2. Exchanges.- When application is made for the discharge of officers, men, or boys (form S. 222), or for their exchange from one ship to another, the Captains of the respective ships, on forwarding such applications to the Commander-in-Chief, are to state that they have no objection to the request being complied with; if, however, they have objections, they are to be specified. See 1347, clause 3 (Officer delayed in Hospital).

596. Officers absent, Ship about to sail.- If any officers should be absent from the ship, when the Captain receives orders to sail, or to hold himself in readiness to sail, from a home port, he is to report, on form S. 219, their names for the information of the Admiralty, with such particulars as he may be able to furnish, so that, if necessary, other officers may be appointed in their stead.

597. Discharge from Ship.- He is not to discharge any person from the ship's books without the authority of the Admiralty or of his superior Officer, except for one of the following reasons, namely :-death, desertion, transfer to some other ship, discharge from hospital after being invalided from the Service, discharge to half-pay on supersession, or dismissal by sentence of court-martial; and, at home, discharge to shore on expiration of continuous service engagement in cases where the men have not completed time for pension.

598. Special Service Men unfit for R.F.R.- The case of any special service man entered before 1st October 1908, who on account of unsatisfactory character cannot be recommended for enrolment in the Royal Fleet Reserve, is to be specially represented to the Admiralty. The case of any man entered on or since that date who is not considered to be in all respects fit for enrolment, is to be reported to the Commander-in-Chief of his port division for decision, whether the man is serving at home or abroad.

599. Men in Hospital on sailing.- Petty officers, seamen, marines, and boys, belonging to sea-going ships, if in hospital or sick quarters at home, when the ship is about to sail for foreign service, or for a cruise of any length, are to be transferred to the books of the general depot or receiving ship at the port nearest to the hospital or sick quarters, the -vacancies so occasioned being filled up before the ship sails. See 1600 (Pay Ticket).

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2. On the discharge of such men to the general depot, or receiving ship, care is to be taken in the case of those men who are still borne for wages, that the date on which they were checked to hospital is noted on the transfer list in addition to the other particulars required by the form, so that all requisite abatements on account of allotments, hospital stoppages, &c., may be duly charged, and that the men may be D.S.Q. at the proper time.

3. The Captain is to acquaint the Principal Medical Officer of the hospital, by letter; of the date when, and the name of the ship to which, such men and boys have been respectively discharged, so that the necessary notations may be made at the hospital.

4. When men and boys are dealt with under clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, their service certificates are to be sent to the depot, or receiving ship, as the case may be. If it subsequently becomes necessary to invalid them out of the Service, their certificates are to be sent to the hospital, in time for the survey.

600. How borne when discharged from Hospital.- Petty officers, seamen and boys who may be left in hospital when the ships to which they belong sail from England, are, when sent from the hospital to the depot, to be borne for disposal, with the exception of officers' stewards and cooks, and non-continuous service band ratings, who are, if so entitled, to be dealt with as laid down in Article 1426, prior to their discharge to the shore, or they may be further retained if a written request has been received from the Captain of their last ship to the effect that when discharged cured from hospital they may be sent to rejoin her. Marines are to be sent to the nearest divisional headquarters.

601. Persons in Hospital, how borne.- All officers, seamen and boys who may be patients in home hospitals or sick quarters under Articles 1396, 1425, and 1426, and who may be remaining there on the completion of the periods for which they may be respectively entitled to pay under those Articles, are, on the completion of such time, to be marked D.S.Q. on the ship's books, and, for purposes of discipline, are to be transferred to a special sub-section of list 17 for " persons in hospital borne for discipline only " ; they are to be retained on that list until finally discharged from the hospital or sick quarters. Patients who may remain in hospital after being " invalided " are similarly to be transferred to this list from the date of their being invalided.

The foregoing provisions as to entry on a list of persons in hospital borne for discipline only, do not apply to officers who are placed on half pay on the cessation of their full pay, nor to marine officers, commissioned warrant officers, or warrant officers.

602. Discharge by Purchase.- Men and boys serving in the Royal Navy under continuous or special service engagements are permitted, in exceptional cases, to purchase their discharge.

Discharge cannot be claimed as a right, however, and nothing in these Regulations shall interfere with the power of the Admiralty to suspend discharge by purchase at any time, or to refuse discharge in a particular case.

2. Application for the discharge of a man or boy by purchase should be made to his Captain. The Captain is to be careful not to entertain or forward an application without fully satisfying himself that the applicant has good and substantial reasons for seeking the discharge.

3. On the home stations discharge by purchase may be authorised by the Commanders-in-Chief, the Rear Admiral of the Coast of Ireland, and the Admiral Commanding Coast Guard and Reserves, without reference to the Admiralty in, the following cases:

  1. Where the applicant has less than three months' service.
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  3. Where the applicant has over six years' service and satisfactory evidence is produced that he has good employment to go to.

A quarterly return is to be rendered to the Admiralty, showing the number of discharges granted under the above authority.

In other cases at home, Admiralty authority is to be obtained.

4. On foreign stations, discharges are not to be allowed, except under pressing circumstances, when the decision will rest with the Commander-in-Chief, or, in his absence, with the senior officer present, if of Flag rank.

In all cases of discharge by purchase abroad, form S. 222, showing the circumstances, is to be forwarded to the Admiralty.

5. Scale of Payments.-The following is the scale of payments for discharge from the Service for men and boys, including marines :

     
    Within three months from date of entry 10
    After three months from date of entry:-  
(a)   Boy Artificers and Engine-room Artificers trained from Boy, under four years' service from date of being rated Acting Engine-room Artificer, 4th Class

30

(b)   Others :-  
    Boys, and marines under 18 years of age 20
    Men  
  (i) With less than four years' service from age of 18 24
  (ii) After four years' service from age of 18 18
  (iii) After six years' service from age of 18 12
  (iv) After 16 years' service from age of 18. Free

NOTE.-Service under (a) and (b) must be actual service in receipt of wages, as recorded on the service certificate. Free discharge under (iv), either at home or abroad, is only to be granted with prior Admiralty approval.

6. The above scale applies also to men entered for " Special Service."

7. The amount of any debt due to the Crown at the time of discharge must be paid in addition to the purchase money.

8. As a rule payment of the purchase money will not be required before the discharge has been approved. Men who are sent to a depot for. discharge will pay the money to the Accountant Officer of the depot.

In any case, however, where the Captain may consider it desirable, he may require or allow the purchase money to be deposited at the time of application, or before sending the man home or discharging him to a depot after the discharge has been approved.

9. Kits on Discharge.- Boys discharged on payment of �10. are not to be allowed to take away the whole of their kit.

Men discharged for �10. are not to be allowed to take away the whole of their kit if they hold ratings allowed a free kit on entry under Article 1738.

It is left to the discretion of Captains to determine the actual articles of clothing to be taken away, but they should only be sufficient to enable the men or boys to return to their homes decently dressed. The articles retained are to be sold in the customary manner for the benefit of the Crown.

603. Re-entry after Discharge by Purchase.- One-half of the amount paid for a man's discharge from the navy will be refunded if he is allowed to re-enter the Service within two years of discharge.

2. One-half of the purchase money paid for the discharge of a boy from the navy will be refunded if he is allowed to re-enter within six months. No repayment will be made if the period of absence exceeds six months, whether he re-enters in a man's rating or not.

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3. No part of the purchase money paid for discharge from the army will be refunded in respect of entry in the navy and vice versa

NOTE.-No repayment will be made in respect of enrolment in the Royal Fleet Reserve or re-entry in the navy for non-continuous service.

604. Where Discharged.- Men and boys whose discharge from the navy is due (or has been ordered) in the United Kingdom, are to be discharged to the shore direct from their ships without passing through the depots, except as stated in clause 2. See 1505 (Travelling Warrants).

2. Men who are about to enrol in the Royal Fleet Reserve axe to be sent to their depots for discharge, and are to be enrolled prior to the settlement of their wages and the delivery to them of their service certificates.

SECTION XV. MISCELLANEOUS.

605. Legal Actions.- In case an action is brought in any court of law on a Foreign Station, which has reference to his ship, the Captain will make a full report to his Commander-in-Chief of all the proceedings in the matter, together with all papers connected therewith, for transmission to the Admiralty.

2. In the event of the Captain finding it necessary to institute proceedings against any vessel or property, he will take care that all costs and expenses incurred in any such proceedings axe paid either by himself, or by arrangement with the ship's agent.

Captures.- When a capture is made he will forward to the ship's agent all the necessary documents to enable him to claim the bounties or proceeds, if any, to which the captors are entitled, or repayment of any expenses which may have been incurred in their behalf.

606. Legal Assistance.- In criminal cases of such urgency that immediate action is absolutely necessary, legal assistance may be obtained, as follows:

  1. In England - from the local agent to the Treasury Solicitor.
  2. In Scotland - from the legal adviser to the Admiralty in Scotland; but when an ordinary criminal prosecution requires to be conducted application should be made direct to the local Procurator Fiscal, who undertakes such prosecutions in the public interest.
  3. In Ireland - from the Treasury Solicitor in Ireland.

In every case a report of the circumstances is to be forwarded to the Admiralty.

2. In criminal cases which are not so urgent, and in all other cases, except inquests (see Article 5'77), when legal aid is required, the matter is to be referred to the Admiralty.

607. Treasure Shipped.- The Captain will make a report, on form S. 192, of all treasure shipped, as soon as it is received, as well as in the half-yearly returns. Upon the receipt of freight on treasure he will pay the proportion due to Greenwich Hospital to the Accountant Officer, who is to debit himself therewith in his cash account and transmit with it the vouchers descriptive of the sums received.

608. Arrest of Offenders.- When he has occasion to send on shore in any part of His Majesty's dominions to arrest an offender against the Naval Discipline Act, he is to furnish the person sent on that duty with a warrant, form S. 244, as provided by Section 50 of the said Act. See 804. clause 4 (Arrest by Naval Warrant).

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609. Deserters from other Ships.- If he should discover in the ship deserters or absentees from other ships, he will forthwith report the particulars to his superior authority, or he will send them to their proper ships, if present, and if the directions of the superior authority for their disposal cannot be obtained without inconvenience. In the event of deserters being discovered from the army, royal marines, or militia, information is to. be immediately forwarded to his superior authority as above directed, with a description of their persons and every particular likely to lead to their identification. On foreign stations, if the regiment or corps to which the deserters belong be present, he is also to communicate with the Commanding Officer thereof, and on the offenders being identified, with the permission of his Senior Officer, he is to deliver them up to him; but no such deserters are to be sent to England from ships abroad, without orders from the Admiralty. See 804. clause 7 (Investigation in case of Deserters).

610. Rolling and Pitching.- The Captain is to-utilize every favourable opportunity of observing the rolling and pitching of his ship, especially if an armoured vessel, under various conditions of wind and sea; and, in order to obtain as much information as possible in regard to the motion of His Majesty's ships, the instructions contained in form S. 561 are to be strictly attended to.

2. A series of observations is to be recorded in return S. 561, at least every, six months during a ship's commission. The officers taking the observations are to be detailed at the discretion of the Captain and the return is to be forwarded to the Admiralty on each occasion of the ship paying off.

3. A report of the observations made relating to the rolling and performance of any of His Majesty's ships at sea will be called for by the Admiralty should it be required from a ship at any time other than on the occasion of paying off.

611. Cases of Life-saving.- Cases of extraordinary merit in saving life, which, in his opinion, deserve the Albert Medal or the rewards of the Royal Humane Society, are to be represented through the proper channel, to the Admiralty. Recommendations for the Royal Humane Society are to be made in the form given in form S. 1-Supplement.

612. Watch Quarter, Station and Fire Bills.- The Captain is to cause the established watch and quarter bill and station and fire bill books, which are supplied on commissioning, to be used as far as they are applicable to the ship. Copies of these books (S. 250 and S. 250a) are to be distributed) as follows :

Two copies of each to the Executive Officer, one for deck use, for the correctness of which he will be held responsible ; one copy of each to the senior Lieutenant in ships where a Commander is borne, and to the Gunnery, Torpedo, and Engineer Officer, to the Gunner and to the Master-at-Arms.

These copies are to be considered as belonging to the ship during the period of the commission, and on any of these officers leaving the ship the copy in his charge is to be delivered to his successor.

2. A printed skeleton form of quarter bill is to be filled in and hung up in a conspicuous place on board.

3. Ship's Steward Ratings.- Ship's Stewards, Second Ship's Stewards, Ship's Steward's Assistants, and Ship's Steward's Boys are to be stationed ,at general quarters and fire stations only.

Officers' Stewards, Cooks and Servants are to be excused from the ordinary duties of the ship, but they are to be stationed at quarters and drilled at fire quarters and fire brigade duties.

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613. Men Navigating Merchant Ships.- Men sent to assist in navigating merchant ships are to be checked of their pay and provisions, but are to be allowed time towards pension while so employed. Their allotments are hot to be stopped.. preference, therefore, is to be given to those who have none in force in selecting men for this duty. Arrangements should, if practicable, be made that the men so sent are not to receive wages less in amount than their naval pay and the established navigating extra pay, with all necessary travelling expenses, to enable them to return to the Service. They are to be discharged with pay tickets, in accordance with Article 1599, to the Flag or other ship-of-war nearest to their destination, the Captain of which is to be informed when they may be expected to arrive, and every case of so lending men is to be reported at once to the Admiralty.

614. Customs Officers, Assistance to.- When officers of the Customs arrive on board one of His Majesty's ships in pursuance of their duty, the Captain is to give them every possible assistance in discovering such articles of contraband as may be on board, and is to take care that they are allowed to execute their duty without obstruction or ill-treatment. His Majesty's Commissioners of Customs, on the other hand, engage that their officers will exercise their right of search with discretion, and will only proceed to a detailed and exhaustive search on receiving information which would render such a course desirable.

2. Victualling, &c., of.- If the duty on which the Custom House officers are sent shall require their remaining on board more than one day, the Captain is to order them to be borne as supernumeraries at full allowance, and to be provided with hammocks and bedding, in a screen berth so situated as may best admit of their doing their duty; but government stores of any kind, however small in quantity, are not to be given them, nor to any other person, under any pretence whatever. See 1584 (Customs Regulations).

615. Naval Marriage Instructions.- The Captain is to take care that the instructions issued by the Admiralty with regard to the publication of banns of marriage and issue of marriage certificates on board ship are in all respects complied with. See 716-719.

SECTION XVI. IN CASE OF WRECK.

616. Lives, Stores, Books and Papers.- If a ship is wrecked or otherwise lost or destroyed, the Captain will use every exertion to preserve the lives of the crew ; and when as many of them as possible have been saved, he is to use his utmost endeavours to save the stores, provisions, and furniture of the ship. He is to give his particular attention to the saving of all books and papers relating to the ship's accounts, that he may be enabled to cause the necessary books to be made out for transmission to the Admiralty, immediately after the court-martial to inquire into the loss of the ship has taken place. Should he find himself unable to comply with these directions, he is immediately to report the cause to the Admiralty, in order that, if judged proper, directions may be given for the books to be made out from the last accounts received in office. He is himself to take especial care to preserve all-secret orders, signals, and instructions, or, if necessary, to destroy them; to prevent their falling into improper hands.

2. Disposal and Guarding.- He is to dispose of the crew in the manner most conducive to their comfort and to economy, that the circumstances admit. He is to place sufficient guards over the stores and provisions saved to prevent

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their being embezzled, and is to be careful that the wine and spirit are so disposed of that they cannot be tampered with. He is to keep the crew together, and is to be very particular in preserving regular and perfect discipline among them, and in preventing the committal of any irregularities or the giving offence to the inhabitants of the country they are in. Should there be no hope of being assisted by any of His Majesty's ships, so soon as he shall have saved all that can be got from the wreck, he is to hire, on the most reasonable terms, such vessels as are necessary to convey him and all the officers and crew, as well as the stores and provisions, to the nearest port where he may expect to find some of His Majesty's ships, or to a port in England, according to circumstances ; observing that, without very sufficient reasons to the contrary, he is always to prefer that course which will be attended with the least expense to the public. Should a sufficient quantity of provisions not be saved, he is to authorise the Accountant Officer to purchase whatever may be required ; and should the men be in want of clothes, he is to cause whatever may be absolutely requisite for their comfort to be purchased, and duly charged against them as clothing. Should the ship be wrecked on the coast of a foreign Power in amity with His Majesty, he is to apply to the Governor or chief officer of the place, for such assistance as he may stand in need of, and he is to be particularly attentive in observing and conforming to all the laws and regulations of the country, so long as he shall continue in it.

3. Offer of Assistance.- In case of emergency, when there is not time to obtain the previous authority of the Admiralty, the senior naval officer present before accepting an offer of assistance in raising the ship, saving stores, or for any other service, is to arrange the form or manner in which payment is to be made, and he is to satisfy himself, by independent evidence if possible, that the offer made is fair and reasonable. Should he be unable to arrange such terms to his own satisfaction, he is to make the necessary provision for the matter to be referred to arbitration. See 177 (Authority of Captain and others),and 1355 (Pay to continue).

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