CHAPTER LVI

HOME WATERS: THE LAST COMMAND

Before taking over the command of the Channel Fleet, to which I was

appointed on 4th March, 1907, on my return from the Mediterranean, I

proceeded on leave, family affairs calling me to Mexico.

My younger brother, Lord Delaval, had been killed in a railway accident

in the United States, on 26th December of the preceding year (1906),

while I was in the Mediterranean. He left a large property in Mexico,

whither I went to settle his affairs as his executor.

Lord Delaval had gone to Mexico as a young man, intending to make his

fortune, and so to fulfil the terms imposed by the parents of the lady

to whom he was attached, as the condition upon which they would grant

their sanction to his marriage with their daughter. At the time of his

death, having bought out his partner, he possessed two magnificent

ranches in Mexico: Ojitos Ranch, 120,000 acres, and Upper Chug Ranch,

76,000 acres; and a third ranch at Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. I

stayed for some time at Ojitos Ranch; where I found that my brother was

known as a dare-devil rider and an excellent rancher; managing his

ranches himself, and taking his part in rounding up his stock and

branding his cattle.

Upon Ojitos there were about 6000 head of cattle and 1500 head of

horses, donkeys and mules. Ojitos means "little springs"; the house

stood beside the springs; and brother, who was something of an

engineer, had constructed three large reservoirs and nine miles of

irrigation {549} canals, intersecting the whole estate. These little

canals, fed by the reservoirs, were two feet broad and three inches

deep, so that they could be kept clear with the plough. As the water

was perpetually running along them, the stock could drink anywhere, an

invaluable advantage in the calving season. Upon some ranches, where

the water is scarce, cows and calves often perish for lack of ready

access to it. The vast grassy plain is surrounded by mountains, and

the estate itself is enclosed in a ring fence of barbed wire, 110 miles

in circumference. My brother's staff consisted of five Mexican cowboys

and three negroes. He left the two Mexican ranches to my brother

Marcus and myself.

I got rid of all off-colour stock; put on a lot of new Durham bulls;

poisoned the prairie dogs which ate the grass, leaving the ground bare

as a high road; effected various other improvements, and organised the

whole upon a business plan, down to the last detail. The drought of

1909 killed off many of the stock, for although the water supply was

maintained, the grass perished. Nevertheless, the Ojitos Ranch paid

its way, and in 1912 it was sold for a good price. The other ranch,

Upper Chug, is still unsold at the time of writing (1913), owing to the

breaking out of the rebellion, the supersession of President Diaz, and

the consequent unsettled state of the country.

It was not remarkable for peace during my sojourn at Ojitos. El Paso,

the frontier town, was full of what are called "the Bad Men of the

United States," who were wanted by the police; and who, if they were in

danger of capture, slipped over the border. The revolver is commonly

used in disputes, particularly at Casas Grandes, a Mexican town about

120 miles from El Paso. During my brief visit to that place, three men

were shot: one in a gambling hell, one in a Chinese restaurant, and one

in a lodging-house; their assailants escaping with impunity.

Riding on the ranch, I saw a man about two miles away galloping for

dear life. The cowboy who was with me explained that the rider "had

holed a man somewhere and {550} was off up country." The fugitive

headed away from us, and coming to the wire fence, he nipped the wire,

and so rode away to the hills.

The retainers of Ojitos Ranch, with whom I sat down to dinner every

day, were each armed with a revolver, sometimes two revolvers, and a

knife. I was the only unarmed man present.

I had already made the acquaintance of President Diaz some time

previously, when I had been tarpon-fishing at Tampico. On that

occasion I was accompanied by my friend, Mr. Benjamin Guinness, who had

been sub-lieutenant in the _Undaunted_ when I commanded that ship. His

brother had been midshipman in the _Undaunted_ at the same time. The

two brothers left the Service to engage in business, and both have been

highly successful.

Upon my departure from Ojitos, I went to see President Diaz. He was

most kind and helpful; both he and other prominent Mexicans informed me

that they desired to increase the number of British properties in

Mexico; and the President expressed the hope that I would retain

possession of the ranches. At the same time, he gave me all the

assistance in his power with regard to the settlement of the affairs of

the estates; nor could they have been settled satisfactorily without

his help.

President Diaz impressed me as a quiet, strong and determined ruler,

who knew exactly how to govern Mexico, and did it. Under his rule,

revolutions were summarily checked, and Mexico flourished as never

before.

Upon my return to England, I took over the command of the Channel

Fleet, hoisting my flag in the _King Edward VII_, at Portland, on 16th

April, 1907. The second in command was Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald

Custance (now Admiral Sir R. N. Custance, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., C.V.O.), a

most distinguished strategist and tactician, one of the most learned

officers in his profession. I have never been able to understand why

Sir Reginald Custance, instead of being placed {551} upon half-pay

until his retirement, was not appointed a Lord Commissioner of the

Admiralty.

[Illustration: H.M.S. "KING EDWARD VII" ENGAGED IN BATTLE PRACTICE,

1907]

The members of the Staff were: chief of staff, Captain Frederick C. D.

Sturdee, succeeded by Captain Montague E. Browning; flag-commander,

Fawcet Wray; intelligence officer at the Admiralty, Commander Godfrey

Tuke, succeeded by Captain Arthur R. Hulbert; signal officer,

Lieutenant Charles D. Roper; flag-lieutenant, Herbert T. G. Gibbs;

engineer-captain, Edwin Little: secretary, Fleet Paymaster John A.

Keys; flag-captain, Henry B. Pelly, M.V.O.; commander, G. H. Baird.

The navigating officer, Commander E. L. Booty, who had been with me in

the _Majestic_, was the best navigator I have known.

Of the two successive chiefs of staff, Captain (now Vice-Admiral)

Sturdee, and Captain (now Rear-Admiral) Browning, to whom I owe so

much, I desire to express my appreciation. Their powers of

organisation and their knowledge of what is required for organisation

for war are of a very high degree. Among other officers, all of whom

did service so excellent, I may mention Lieutenant (now Commander)

Roper, who was one of the best signal officers in the service;

Lieutenant Gibbs, a most charming and loyal companion, who met his

death by falling overboard in the Portland race, and the loss of whose

affectionate friendship I still mourn; and Fleet-Paymaster Keys, who

was with me for more than six years, and to whose brilliant services I

owe so much.

The composition of the Channel Fleet, in April, 1907, was 14

battleships (eight _King Edward VII_, two _Swiftsure_, two _Ocean_, two

_Majestic_), four armoured cruisers, two second-class cruisers, and one

third-class cruiser attached.

During this period, an extraordinary confusion prevailed at the

Admiralty. Its character may be briefly indicated by a summary of the

various changes in the organisation and distribution of the Fleet,

beginning in the previous year (1906).

In October, the sea-going Fleets were reduced in strength {552} by

about one-quarter, and a new Home Fleet was formed of nucleus crew

ships. The Channel Fleet was reduced from sixty-two fighting vessels

to twenty-one fighting vessels, the balance being transferred to the

Home Fleet. An order was issued under which ships taken from the

Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets for purposes of refitting,

were to be replaced during their absence by ships from the Home Fleet.

In December, the Nore Division of the Home Fleet was given full crews

instead of nucleus crews.

In April, 1907, an order was issued that no more than two battleships

in each Fleet were to be refitted at one time.

In September, the Channel Fleet was increased from twenty-one vessels

to sixty vessels.

In August, 1908, the orders substituting Home Fleet ships for ships

from sea-going fleets under repair, and ordaining that no more than two

battleships should be absent at one time, were cancelled; with the

result that the Channel Fleet went to sea in the following December

short of eight battleships, two armoured cruisers, one unarmoured

cruiser, one scout, and 20 destroyers, 32 vessels in all.

When the Home Fleet was finally constituted, in March, 1907, there were

no less than three commanders-in-chief in Home Waters; one commanding

the Home Fleet, one the Nore Division, and one (myself) the Channel

Fleet. In time of war the supreme command was to be exercised by me,

over the whole number of fighting vessels, 244 in all. But in time of

peace they could not be trained or exercised together, nor had any one

of the commanders-in-chief accurate information at any given moment of

the state or disposition of the forces of any other commander-in-chief.

Such, briefly presented, was the situation with which I was confronted

in this my last command. It was fraught with difficulties so complex,

and potential dangers to the security of the country so palpable, that

many of my friends urged me to resign my command in the public

interest. I decided, however, that I should best serve His Majesty the

King, the Navy and the country by remaining at my post.

{553}

In the summer of 1907, the Channel Fleet proceeded upon a United

Kingdom cruise, touching at various places round the coasts of these

islands. When the Fleet was at sea, individual ships were sent away

upon short cruises, in order to give the captains opportunities of

exercising independent command. When the Fleet was at anchor, the

ships were open to the public from half-past one to half-past six

daily, in order to increase their knowledge and encourage their

interest in the Royal Navy.

It was during one of these cruises that the Irishmen in the Fleet

displayed one of their national characteristics.

The anniversary of Saint Patrick's Day was drawing near when the Fleet

lay in Bantry Bay. On Saint Patrick's Day itself the Fleet was to

proceed to sea. Hitherto, as a rule, if the Irishmen in the Fleet

happened to be on leave on Saint Patrick's Day, many of them broke

their leave. When I made a signal, giving the Irishmen four days'

leave, and ordering them to return on board on Saint Patrick's Day, I

added that the commander-in-chief, himself an Irishman, expected every

Irishman to be back to his leave. There were 766 Irish liberty-men

went on shore for four days; and 766 were on board again ere the Fleet

sailed on the night of Saint Patrick's Day. It might be that the Saint

could mention the thing in conversation with Saint Peter at the Gate,

for future reference. For there were some 2000 Irishmen in the Fleet,

who, when the Fleet lay at Portland, could not, like the Englishmen,

visit their homes once a month. And when it is considered how

hospitable and convivial they become on the anniversary of their patron

Saint, I shall be understood when I say that the behaviour on this

occasion of the Irishmen in the Fleet affords a remarkable instance of

the Irish sense of honour. There are no other people so easily

handled, if the right way be taken with them.

The Fleet assembled at Spithead in November, 1907, to receive his

Majesty the Emperor of Germany; and in the following May, the Fleet

assembled at Dover to receive President Fallières.

{554}

In the summer of 1908, the Fleet proceeded upon a cruise in Norwegian

waters. Their Majesties the King and Queen of Norway, with the little

Crown Prince Olaf, honoured the flagship with a visit when the Fleet

lay at Esbjerg. At Skagen, on the evening of 7th July, when the Fleet

was lying at anchor, the _Hohenzollern_, flying the flag of his Majesty

the Emperor of Germany, was suddenly sighted, together with the

escorting cruiser _Stettin_ and the destroyer _Sleipner_. By the time

his Imperial Majesty had reached the lines, the ships were manned and

dressed over all. A salute of twenty-one guns was fired; and the

_Hohenzollern_ was cheered as she steamed down the lines.

During my absence in Norwegian waters, I was the subject of a violent

attack in the Press and elsewhere, due to a misapprehension. I recall

the circumstance, because I am proud to remember that it was an

Irishman, and he a political opponent, who, alone among all the members

of the House of Commons, stood up and protested against an attack being

made upon a brother Irishman when he was absent and unable to reply.

Their Majesties King Edward and Queen Alexandra visited the Channel

Fleet on 7th August, 1908, in the _Victoria and Albert_, accompanied by

the Prince of Wales in the _Alexandra_. His Majesty honoured the _King

Edward VII_ and the _Hibernia_, second flag, with a visit. The

flag-officers of the Fleet had the honour of lunching with their

Majesties on board the _Victoria and Albert_.

Upon one of the Fleet cruises in the north, the flagship was passing

under the Forth Bridge, when a spar caught on a girder of the bridge

and carried away. Ere it could fall, Flag-Lieutenant Gibbs, with his

customary presence of mind and pluck, threw me upon the deck, and

himself on the top of me, to save me from the falling spar. Luckily,

it touched neither of us.

There being no provision against mines dropped in time of war, it was

suggested by me that the North Sea trawlers should be enlisted to sweep

for mines; because they were {555} accustomed to the difficult work of

towing and handling a trawl. The proposal was afterwards adopted.

In March, 1909, the Admiralty, in addition to other changes, having

suddenly reduced the length of ships' commissions from three years to

two years, I was ordered to haul down my flag and come on shore.

Accordingly, my flag was hauled down at Portsmouth on Wednesday, 24th

March, 1909, after fifty years' service.

I cannot close this chronicle without expressing my profound

appreciation of the loyalty and affection shown to me by my brother

officers and by the men of the Royal Navy. Few events in my life have

touched me more deeply than the presence of so many of my old shipmates

among the crowds which assembled upon Portsmouth Hard when I came on

shore after hauling down my flag, and which filled Waterloo Station and

its approaches when I arrived in London. Nor can I omit to record my

sense of the kind and generous reception given to me by my brother

officers, who attended, in numbers that constituted a record, the

dinner, over which I presided, given by the Royal Navy Club of 1765 and

1785, on the anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar next ensuing after

my coming on shore.

It was a satisfaction to me when I came on shore, and it is a

satisfaction to me now, to think that I pulled my pound in the Navy.

Doubtless, like other men of action, I have made mistakes. But I may

justly claim that I have always held one purpose with a single mind: to

do my best for the good of the Service and for the welfare of the

officers and men of the Royal Navy; and in following that purpose, I

have tried to disregard consequences which might affect my own

fortunes, and which, in fact, have often proved injurious to them. And

to the purpose which I have followed since I was a boy, I shall devote

the rest of my life.

{556}

POSTSCRIPT

THE MAKING OF AN ADMIRAL

One of our greatest naval administrators, the late Admiral of the Fleet

Sir Frederick Richards, was constantly preoccupied with a problem, of

which he used often to speak. "How are we to make great admirals?" he

would say. It is a question of the highest moment. A great admiral

may be born, but he must also be made. The making of an admiral has

been the study of the best minds in the Navy for generations. And for

this reason: _In time of war, all must depend on one man, and that man

the admiral in command_. Upon his knowledge, ability and resolution

will rest the fate of the country and of the Empire. That simple fact

is not generally realised by the public. They do not understand that

in time of war the statesman, the diplomatist, the politician must all

give place to one man, the admiral in command at sea.

Every decade of naval officers has added something to the knowledge of

what must go to the making of a great sea-officer. The establishment

of the War College, the institution of the War Staff at the Admiralty,

the private studies of individual naval officers, the practice of

holding manoeuvres: all these things are valuable endeavours toward the

same end. It remains, however (I believe), the fact that there exists

no treatise on the ordinary administrative duties to be fulfilled by an

admiral.

During many years I had the habit of making notes concerning all

matters connected with the administration of a Fleet. These notes I

hope to arrange and to publish. In {557} the meantime, I have ventured

to think that the contribution of some observations dealing with the

administrative duties of an admiral in command, embodying the results

of many years' experience at sea, might be of use.

There is no position in the world requiring more tact than that of a

commander-in-chief of a large Fleet. It is only by the exercise of

consummate tact that a Fleet can be maintained in the most rigid state

of discipline and, at the same time, cheery, happy and smart.

Therefore it is that a knowledge of human nature is essential to the

admiral.

Two admirals may do the same thing or may give the same order; one is

perfectly successful, the other is not. One knows HOW to give an

order, the other does not.

Success depends not only on _what_ is done, but on _the way in which_

it is done. Cheerful obedience to an order depends, not on the order

but, on the way the order is given. In handling men, much depends on

what is said, but much more depends upon the way in which it is said.

The art of successful administration of men consists in the prevention

of accident, misdemeanour, or regrettable incidents. It does not

consist in putting things right _after_ the unpleasant event has

occurred. Nearly all slackness and untoward incidents are preventable

by the exercise of forethought, common sense and good organisation.

Most of the matters that go wrong, causing irritation and fault-finding

on the part of the admiral, are often due to the failure to look ahead

of the admiral himself.

When a Fleet proceeds to sea, the cruisers are often to be observed

sobbing and sighing at full speed, trying to get into the position

ordered, after the Fleet has left the harbour, when, by the use of a

little judgment, they might have been sent out previously, and so have

got on the correct line of bearing at slow speed, without any trouble.

The usual method in life is to let a mistake occur, and then to put it

right afterwards. It is upon this point that the world forms most

unfair opinions. The man who _keeps_ {558} things right seldom gets

any credit. It is the man who puts things right who gets it. The

history of war affords many examples of this tendency.

A commander-in-chief who, by his organisation and by his appreciation

of facts and positions, wins an action with small loss, often gets

little credit. On the other hand, an officer who makes some blunder by

which he loses a number of officers and men, but who eventually wins

his action, is made a popular hero. In other words, the man with the

blind pluck of a bulldog gets more credit than the man who, by his

strategy and tactical ability, wins a more or less bloodless victory.

An admiral should remember that in peace or war he can satisfactorily

administer his Fleet only through the loyalty and zeal of his captains.

Frequent personal interviews promote confidence; and such confidence

must be of benefit to the admiral. He need not take his captains'

views, but he will gain a great deal of useful information from

officers who are just as keen to make the Fleet as perfect as possible

as he is himself.

Admirals should not publicly identify themselves with their own

flagships in the same way as a captain may identify himself with his

ship. To the admiral ALL ships should be the same, and private ships

should feel that the admiral takes quite as much interest in their

well-being and their whole life as he does in his own flagship. The

admiral should therefore avoid, even in private conversation, speaking

of "my commander," "our launch," etc. etc. A flagship, her officers

and men, have many advantages. In return for these privileges, a

flagship should make every effort to be a pattern of smartness and

efficiency; and the admiral must be constantly on the alert lest he

show partiality or favour to his flagship. Nothing makes more jealousy

in a Fleet than a belief that the flagship is favoured at the expense

of the rest of the Fleet, either in routine duty or in any other

respect.

Flagships must have many privileges, but they should not be increased.

For instance, her boats should take precedence {559} in drawing beef or

stores; but in all matters connected with competitive drills, carrying

out station orders, etc. etc., all ships must be equal in the

admiral's eye and mind.

An admiral should continually go on board the ships of the Fleet, talk

to the captains, and obtain their ideas and recommendations on various

subjects.

The best plan is to notify a ship a day or two beforehand that the

commander-in-chief is coming on board on Sunday at the time most

convenient to the captain; and to follow the captain's usual routine

for Sunday inspection. This method gives the captain an opportunity of

bringing to the admiral's notice any officer or man who has in any way

distinguished himself. It strengthens the captain's hands, and has a

good effect upon the Fleet. It lets the men see their admiral; while

the admiral can remark the state of the ship and run all his Fleet up

to the smartest ship.

It is wiser to administer a Fleet by _commendation_ than by

_condemnation_. If commendation is given for good and smart actions,

condemnation for bad, slackness becomes far more severely condemned,

and no sympathy for it is aroused.

Any smart action performed by an officer or man should be appreciated

publicly by signal. This is complimentary to the officer or man and to

the ship in which he is serving at the time. Every one is grateful for

appreciation.

The old style in the Navy was never to commend anything that was well

done; to do well was considered to be no more than a man's duty. On

the other hand, anything that was badly done led to severe reprimands.

When a good officer or man knows that the admiral appreciates his work,

it cheers the Fleet and raises its whole tone. It is right to be

severe on those who do their work lazily or badly; but it is quite as

necessary to appreciate those who do their work well.

An admiral should continually inspect some of the various departments

of the ships under his command. By personal observation he is certain

to find out something {560} which would not come to his notice in any

other way, and he may therefore prevent things from going wrong in

their initial stages.

The admiral should invariably inspect anything that may have gone wrong

in any of the ships under his command, owing to accident, carelessness,

or misadventure: such as a derrick, cable, or capstan carrying away, or

any defect in the engine or boiler rooms. He should then talk over the

method of repair with the captain and the departmental officers. This

procedure often saves time and trouble, as the admiral gives directions

for the accident to be repaired in the way he desires from the first,

thereby obviating the necessity of altering the plans afterwards. It

also encourages those who are going to execute the work.

The admiral should let the captains know that they can come on board

the flagship and consult him at any time they like, day or night, and

that he will always be glad to see them.

Captains should always come to see, or write to, the admiral on any

matter which they wish to be settled, no matter how trivial it may

appear. They should not go to the secretary; for, if they do, it puts

the secretary in a false position, and may cause mistakes and wrong

conceptions.

Captains may go to the chief of the staff upon minor questions; but it

is, as a rule, better for them to go straight to the admiral.

The consideration of captains, expressed by the words, "I don't think I

will bother the admiral about this question," is understood, but should

be regarded as mistaken. _It is the admiral's business to be bothered_.

The admiral should be considerate and courteous to all those under his

command, remembering that there are two sides to every question.

When the admiral personally inquires into any case, with the object of

fixing responsibility upon an individual, he should be suave in his

manner, even if condemnation is {561} given. He should endeavour to

send a man away wearing a smile rather than a scowl.

The admiral should remember this maxim particularly when he feels

irritated at seeing something done which appears careless, or opposed

to the orders laid down. He should always maintain an unruffled

demeanour, and be perfectly calm and collected under all circumstances.

To fail in this respect is to confuse both himself and those under his

command: a condition which cannot add to that smartness and coolness so

necessary when a difficulty or an accident occurs in the Fleet.

The management of a ship or a Fleet is full of irritation and worries.

These can only be decreased by officers remaining calm and collected.

All men are liable to make mistakes. The best men often make the most

glaring mistakes. A smart man acting under a mistake will move his

ship to starboard or to port quicker than a slow man, and his mistake

will therefore appear the greater.

An admiral should never make a signal to one of the captains (unless he

happens to have a very bad and slack captain), implying that the

captain could have done much better than he did. Captains, as a rule,

wish to obey loyally and thoroughly. Mistakes are not intentional.

If a signal is executed in a manner contrary to the intention of the

admiral, either it is an ambiguous signal, or it has been

misunderstood. Unforeseen contingencies of this kind are certain to

happen in war. Practices in peace illustrate what such contingencies

may be, and develop the necessary measures to prevent them.

A very common method of pointing out mistakes is to signal what was

_ordered_ and what should have _happened_, omitting to state what was

actually _done_. But _all_ these points should be inserted in the

signal.

Officers or men should never be allowed to state what _might_, _could_,

or _should_ have been done. The point at issue is what WAS or what IS.

Much valuable time is lost in {562} explaining the circumstances on the

theory of what might, could, or should have been done.

Before finding fault by signal, the admiral should ask the captain in

question how a mistake occurred. By so doing it can be seen whether it

is necessary to find fault or not. If the explanation is satisfactory

the captain should be so informed.

Much unnecessary irritation and bad feeling caused by sudden and

drastic signals may thus be avoided.

The admiral will often find that the mistake was a natural mistake,

which he himself might have made had he been in the captain's place.

When captains know that the admiral is scrupulously fair, they become

devoted to him.

An admiral should always be most careful that he is right himself

before finding fault with those under him. If he should afterwards

find that his contention was wrong, or that there was a

misunderstanding, the admiral should invariably acknowledge his

mistake. This action commands respect and is only chivalrous and

seamanlike.

When an admiral has satisfied himself that anything, no matter how

small, is not carried out according to orders, he should call attention

to it by signal (as a rule, by a general signal), and by thus pointing

out the mistake to the Fleet, he prevents the same error from occurring

again.

In such matters as clothes not properly stopped on, boats and booms not

square, etc., an admiral should inquire who is responsible. If men are

not standing to attention when the colours are hoisted, he should ask

for the name of the officer of the watch. If a boat is improperly

handled under sail or oars, he should ask for the name of the officer

or coxswain of the boat.

The admiral's staff should always inform him of such matters as boats

pulling badly, or not being run up to the davit head, men not standing

properly to attention, or not doubling to obey all orders of the pipe,

etc. The effect of a signal calling attention to these matters is lost

if it is made some time after the event.

{563}

There should always be an officer responsible for every duty on board a

man-of-war, and the admiral should always make on these occasions the

signal, "Indicate name of officer responsible."

The admiral should always make sure, when finding fault with a ship,

that his flagship is absolutely correct as regards the particular

detail in question. If this is not the case he should call his

flagship's attention to it at the same time.

Admirals and captains are often heard saying, "Look at the way they are

doing so and so," referring to boat pulling or to the way a rope is

handled, or a boat hoisted, quite forgetting that it is the fault of

the admiral or captain that the duties are done badly or are not

carried out according to their satisfaction. The admiral is

responsible for the whole administration, smartness and efficiency of

his Fleet; the captains are responsible for the whole administration,

smartness and efficiency of their ships. In the Royal Navy, officers

and men are loyal to the core, and everything that is done badly is due

to the senior officer of the Fleet or of the ship not giving his orders

clearly, and not showing beforehand what he wants done, and how it is

to be done.

The admiral should never give an order relative to routine or

administration without seeing that it is obeyed. Many orders given in

a memorandum or circular are forgotten after the first few weeks or

months, and so they lapse.

An officer should be told off to summarise and report that such orders

have been carried out during the preceding week.

It is of no use for the admiral to give orders and directions unless he

sees that they are actually carried out in the manner he intended.

If the admiral is not careful that all orders of his own and of the

Admiralty are punctually obeyed, he will find that some captains

accurately carry out the order and some do not. This irregularity

causes discontent in some ships {564} and slackness in others,

disturbing that harmony which should prevail in a fleet. A

"happy-go-lucky" method breeds irritation.

If papers are ordered to be sent in, or drills are ordered to be

carried out, or if any matter connected with the Fleet is ordered to be

undertaken at some future date, the admiral should always make a signal

or reminder some days before the date. The argument that a man

"_ought_ to know and _ought_ not to forget" does not prevent irritation

if he _does_ forget.

If an officer or man is slack, he should always be found fault with; it

distresses the good officers and men to see that a slack individual

gets along as well as those that are smart.

If the admiral observes anything incorrect relative to individuals in a

ship's company, such as dress, etc., he should inquire whether the

irregularity is common to the ship, and have this irregularity

corrected right through the ship. Failing this method, he may be often

finding fault on the same point, instead of having the whole matter put

right by one signal or memorandum.

The admiral should often look over his own station orders to remind

himself of the orders he has issued.

An admiral should, if possible, always send written messages to

officers, in order to avoid constantly sending for officers. He should

always date the messages. This maxim applies to the admiral's flagship

as well as to other ships.

Sending messages verbally may cause great irritation, and may be

prejudicial to discipline, for two distinct reasons:--

(i) The messenger may give the message in terms which are very

irritating. Every one on the bridge hears the message delivered.

(ii) Human nature being what it is, the admiral, like other people, may

be in a state of irritation, more particularly if he wants a thing done

quickly or if he thinks that things are not being done well. He is not

so likely to blurt out some rough and irritating expression if he

writes the message or order.

{565}

In addition, it is neither good for discipline nor congenial to that

respect which is shown to officers, if the signalman or others hear a

rough message delivered to the chief of the staff, captain, or other

officers.

The admiral should always let the Fleet under his command know

beforehand the time which he intends to carry out practices, or to

anchor or to weigh the Fleet. This rule particularly applies to the

hours set apart for meals. Disturbance in the middle of meals causes

needless irritation, and work never goes well in a man-of-war or

anywhere else under irritation.

Admirals should as far as is possible let the officers and men of the

Fleet know the dates of arrivals and departures from ports, so that all

should be in a position to communicate with their friends and to

arrange their private affairs conveniently.

If the admiral intends to be afloat with his flag flying very near the

dinner-hour, or at any time that station orders annul guards and bands,

he should signal "Annul Guards and Bands." Without such signal some

ships are certain to turn them up while others will not do so, causing

confusion.

_When the admiral is inspecting a division of men, all ratings should

take off their caps_. The admiral should first inspect the chief petty

officers and petty officers, and when he has done these ratings should

be ordered to put on their caps. By so doing, the fact is emphasised

that the petty officer's position in the ship is superior, and that the

admiral recognises it to be so.

The admiral should see the sick in hospital constantly. His visit

cheers the men, and shows them that the admiral knows that they are

sick, and that he sympathises with them. There have been many cases

where the interest shown by the admiral in a man who is dangerously ill

has so cheered the patient that he has taken a turn for the better and

has ultimately recovered.

If a serious accident occurs on board any ship, either at {566} drill

or in the execution of other duty whereby officers or men are killed or

wounded, the admiral should inform the whole Fleet with regret, giving

the names of officers and men. This procedure is respectful to those

under his command who are killed or wounded in the execution of their

duty. They have suffered or died for their country just as much as

though killed or wounded in action with the enemy. The admiral should

personally go and see the wounded daily, if possible.

An admiral should let his officers know that he expects everything on

board the ships to be shipshape, that is to say, kept in such condition

and order as befits one of His Majesty's ships of war.

The admiral should always give as much leave as possible, having regard

to the exigencies of the service and of duty. A free gangway for

special leave men should be kept at all possible places, so that one

watch can always go ashore daily if they are so minded.

Trouble with regard to breaking leave and drunkenness is generally

brought about by want of discretion on the part of the commanding

officer in giving leave. Keeping men on board for long periods, and

then letting them go ashore with a great deal of money, involves the

temptation to some to break leave, and to others to drink more than is

good for them.

A free gangway is thoroughly appreciated by the men. The fact that

they can go ashore if they like often conduces to their health and

comfort, and does not provoke that irritation caused by the knowledge

that leave cannot be given.

A man who breaks his leave, and so allows other men to do his work,

should be placed in a "Break Leave Party," and given any extra jobs of

work that may require execution, in order to make up for the time he

has lost. Men in the "Break Leave Party" should be mustered every two

hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the discretion of the captain, according

to the number of hours they have allowed other men to do their work.

This mustering should continue on a scale of two days for {567} every

hour of absence, but a total of fourteen days should not be exceeded.

The foregoing arrangement should not be considered as punishment, but

as making up the time lost to the State by the men's absence from their

duties, which left other men to do their work, and should therefore not

be entered in the daily record.

A general leave man who persistently breaks his leave should be put in

the limited leave list, and the time and place at which he should be

allowed ashore should be entirely at the discretion of the captain, and

if possible he should not be allowed ashore when the rest of the ship's

company are on leave.

When a notorious leave-breaker goes on leave, it is well to send ashore

a description, upon which are noted the hour and the date upon which he

should again be aboard his ship. By this means he is often recovered

before he has broken his leave for any length of time.

First-class petty officers should always be given leave when chief

petty officers get leave. The former are generally far older men, and

have had longer experience in the Service than most chief petty

officers.

Badge-men and "men who have never broken their leave in the ship"

should be given leave whenever possible. Plenty of liberty reduces

break-leave to a minimum, and also reduces inebriety to a marked extent.

Attention to the points of administration enumerated above will go far

to create in the Fleet, not only comfort and happiness but, that

constant readiness for emergency which is the result of a high state of

discipline.

{569}

INDEX

Abd-el-Al, 171

Abd-el-Hamid, 282, 287

Abu Klea, battle of, 257-68

A.D.C. to Prince of Wales, appointed, 157

to Queen Victoria, appointed, 412

Adeane, Commander, 77

Admiral, the making of, 556-67

Admiralty affronted, 142

confusion at, 550

documents stolen, 348

and Lord Charles' Soudan service, 312

Lord Charles appointed Junior Lord of, 344

reprimanded by, 150

resignation of Lord Charles, 353

Afterguard, 13

Aground, _Tribune_, 61

Ahmed Arabi, 171. See Arabi Pasha Mahomet, 211

Albania, strange adventure in, 515

Alexandria, action at, 187

attack on Lord Charles at, 185

fortifications at, 187

issue of proclamation, 193

operations outside, 201-6

police work at, 191-5

refugees from, 186

riot in, 178

squadron at, 186

troops assisting at, 195

visit to, 371

water supply failing, 181

Algeçiras Conference, 514

Ali Fehmi, 170

Alison, General Sir A., 198

American flag incident, 58

Ammunition, discoveries of, outside Alexandria, 203

Reserve, inadequacy of, 370

Animals on board ship, 66

Arab courage, 265

lad shot, 197

Arabi Pasha, 171

dismissed, 181

condemned, 184

Armament, secondary, essential, 147

Arms, defective, 267

Army, inclined to join, 8

_Arrow_, the affair of the lorcha, 3

Assouan, Lord Charles at, 225

Atlantic Fleet created, 496

Australia, voyage to, in _Galatea_, 75

Australian Squadron, suggested command of, 469

Bab-el-Kebir, 223, 228

Bahadur, Sir Jung, 164

Balfour, Mr., and need for War Staff, 480

Bare feet, 16

Baring, Sir Evelyn, 215, 216

Bayford School, 5

Bear, fight with a, 540

Bell, Mr. Moberly, 187

Benbow, Mr., 300, 303

commended, 307

Benicia, 69

Bentham, Deputy-Inspector-General, 513

Beresford, Admiral Sir John Poo, xxv

Commissioner John, xviii

Lord William, 160

Lord Marcus and the sharpers, 531

Marshal, xix

Bimbashi (camel), 222, 236, 238

Bismarck, a talk with, 362

_Black Prince_, 42

Blasphemy, 18

Boa constrictor killed, 167

Boar, encounter with, 79, 168

Boardman, Captain, commands naval contingent in Soudan, 222

appreciation of work of, 223, 329

Boat-pulling. See also _Gazelle_; 7, 207, 497-507

Boat-race, women's, 29

Boat-races, 28, 152, 207, 497-507

Boat-sailing, 504

Boiler of _Safieh_ repaired, 300, 303

Boiler plates, 252

_Bombay_, burning of, 146

_Bordein_, s., 283, 292, 293, 294

_Bounty_ Mutiny, 86

Bowles, Admiral William, 6

Boxers, famous, 69

Boyd-Carpenter's (Dr.) remarkable story, 154

Brabazon's, Colonel, account of attack on convoy, 321

Bradford, Major, 162

Brandreth, Commander Thomas, 12

"Break-up of China," 426

Bright-work discouraged, 120

_Britannia_ training ship, 6, 9

officers of, 7

Brothers, Lord Charles Beresford's, vii

Browne, Major-General Sam, 162

Bull, incident of, 290

Bulldog, Lord Charles, 146

Buller, Sir Redvers, 221, 222, 225, 229, 252, 317, 318

_Bulwark_, flag hoisted in, 508

Burnaby, Colonel, 256, 259

death of, 264

Butt, Isaac, 131, 342

Cable, hemp and chain, 12

Cadet, Naval, appointed, 11

Cadets, training of, 6

_Cæsar_, flag hoisted in, 493

Calcutta, visit to, 103

Camel Corps equipment, 237

incident, 225

race, 236

Camels. See Bimbashi

invented saddle for, 237

repairing with oakum, 328

shortage of, 278

sufferings of, 255

Cameron, Mr., 207, 270

Cannibal, talk with, 80

Canton, bombardment of, 4

Cape Town, visit to, 186

_Captain_, disaster to, 49

_Carysfort_, 209

Casualties of Desert Column, 279

Cawnpore Memorial, Prince's visit to, 168

Certificate, signing of, 5

Ceylon, climate of, 104

Changes in Channel, Nore, and Home Fleets, 552

in shipbuilding, 48

proposed, 396

Channel Fleet, in command of, 485, 550

reductions and changes, 551

Royal visit to, 554

Channel Squadron (1863), 42

Chaplain, influence of, 19

Chatham Dockyard, appointment at, 393

terminates, 400

Chefoo, 447

_Chicago_, 398

Chicago, Lord Charles at, 459

China, inspection of armies in, 440-44

Lord Charles sails for, 424

summary of reforms advocated, 451

Chinese Army, scheme of reorganisation, 437

commercial integrity, 102

Ching, Prince, 435

Cholera at Calcutta, 103

Churchill, Lord Randolph, resignation of, 352

Clifton, Captain, 116

_Clio_, 48, 51

Clippers, famous opium, 117

Coal in Vancouver, discovery of, 60

Cockfighting at Manila, 102

Cockroaches, racing, 52

Coffer-dam, 492

Coincidence, 103, 160

Columns. See Desert, and Nile

Colvin, Mr. Auckland, 172

Command, first independent, 120

Commendations, special, 70, 198, 206, 235

Compensation to Alexandrians, 199

_Condor_, action of, at Alexandria, 187

appointed to, 156, 186

gives up command of, 206

signal to, 189

Constituencies, invitations from, 398, 415

Convicts at Perth, 75

Convoy, attack on, 320

Coode, Captain Trevenen P., 65

Cordite, danger of heat, 465

Corfu, 32

Correspondent, newspaper, troublesome, 198

desire to act as, 207

shot, 275

Council of Defence, 398, 414

Courage of Arabs, 265

Court-martial, trial by, 367

Crete, insurrection in, 427-31

Cruisers, deficiency of, 144

Crutchley, General, 278

Curraghmore, description of, viii-xii

Custance, Admiral Sir R. N., 550

Dacres, Rear-Admiral Sydney C., 12

Dal Cataract, Lord Charles at, 243

Dawson, Lieutenant Douglas, 291

Daymen, 14

Decapitation in Japan, 101

_Defence_, 41

Defence, Council of. See Council

Delaval, Lord, death of, 548

Delavals, the, xvi

Democracy and war, 494, 495

Denman, Rear-Admiral the Hon. J., 65

Desert Column, 220, 246, 247, 248

casualties, 279

composition of, 253

in disorder, 272

march back to Korti, 324

Sir R. Buller's dispatch _re_, 319

zeriba, 275

Desertions at San Francisco, 69

Diaz, visit to President, 550

Discipline, 14, 142

reform of, 17

Discomforts of the Old Navy, 19

of Nile steamer, 224

of the Nile, 242

Disgrace, in, 26

Disraeli, memories of, 139

on the party system, 139

Dockyard appointment, 393

Dowell, Rear-Admiral Wm., 505, 506

Doyle, Sir Hastings, 153

Dress, the sailor's, 19

Drunkenness, 17, 31

Dufferin, Lord, 374

Dunsmuir, Mr., 60

Duties, various, of a ship's crew, 13

Earle, General, killed, 319

East Marylebone, elected for, 336

Eden, Captain Charles, 5, 34

Edinburgh, Duke of, attempt to assassinate, 73

visit to Japan of, 100

Edward, King. See King

Egyptian War, beginning of trouble, 170

Election incidents, 336, 337

Elephant hunting, 164, 536-8

in _Galatea_, 109

Elephants, regiment of, 167

El-Teb, 216

Emma, Queen, 57

Empress Dowager, 420

Engine, repairing, 226

Essays by officers, 466, 468

Estimate of naval needs, 358

Estimates, signing the, 356. See Navy

Etiquette, naval, 1

_Eurydice_ training frigate, 6

capsizing of, 154

remarkable story _re_, 155

Examination for Navy, 6

_Excellent_, 71

Execution of murderer, 54

Experience in routine work, etc., necessity of, 146

Explosion of gun-cotton, 204

of shell from _Condor_, 208

on _Thunderer_, 148

Falkland Islands, 53

Family history. See History

home. See Curraghmore memorials, ix

Farm, model, 399

Fayrer, Surgeon-General, 163

_Fersaat_, 224

Fight at Malta, 31

over boat-race, 29

Fisher, Captain John, 190

Sir John, improvements in Mediterranean fleet, 467

Fishing incidents, 544-7

Fit, keeping, 107

Fitzgerald, Admiral Penrose, 49, 54, 505

Flag rank, earlier promotion to, advocated, 404, 483

Flogging abolished, 17

question of, 144

Forecastlemen, 13

Foretopmen, 13

Forging of cheques, 75, 83

Freemason, made a, 108

French, Sir John, 280

_Galatea_, 73

diversion, 108

in Japan, 100

Gardner gun, 252, 276, 300, 308

jamming of, 263

Gardner, Miss, engagement to, 154

Gascoigne, Captain, 302, 304, 306

_Gazelle_, 7

Gemai, 229

Germany's, Emperor of, visit to Gibraltar, 493

visit to Skagen, 554

Gibbs, Flag-Lieutenant, 551, 554

Gibraltar, 370

Emperor of Germany visits, 493

Gillford, Captain, 60

Gladstone, Mr. W. E., 33

and compensation to Alexandrians, 199

Glanville, John, 11, 28

Gleichen, Count, 237, 248, 277

Gordon, General, 214, 215

urgent messages from, 216, 217, 219, 234, 250

letters from, 282

steamers sent by, 283

death of, 291

Goschen, Mr., conversation with, 359

_Goshawk_, 120

Graham, Major-General Sir G., 215, 216, 332

Sir James, 9

Grenfell, Vice-Admiral Sir H., 515

Gubat, Desert Column at, 278

Gun-cotton, explosion of, 204

Gun explosion on _Thunderer_, 148

Gunners, 13

Gunnery, British and American, 67

in the _Marlborough_, 20

on China station, 466

Gun Reserve, inadequacy of, 370

Hall's, Captain W. H., recommendations, 361

Hamilton, Lord George, on Lord Charles' resignation, 354

Sir R. Vesey, 404

Hammill, Commander, 221, 226

_Hannibal_ rams _Prince George_, 400

Hara-kiri, 91

Harris, Captain Robert, 6, 7, 10

Sir Augustus, 399

Hartington, Lord, telegram from, 317

Haulage of boats on Nile. See Whaleboats, and Steamers

Hawsers, wire, first used, 154

Heaton, Mr. Henniker, 417

Lieutenant W. H., 8

_Hecla_, torpedo school, 369

_Hercules_, 49

_Hibernia_, 33

Hicks Pasha and staff, 213

Hildyard, General Sir H., 8

History of family, xii-xxii

_Hohenzollern_, 545

Home Fleet, 552

of family. See Curraghmore

Hornby's, Admiral Phipps, views on, Cabinet and Sea Lords, 355

Horse-racing and riding, 518-34

Horses, runaway, 76

saving, 206

Hot springs in New Zealand, 79

_Howe_, salving of, 395

Humour, Irish, 72

Hunting, 71, 520, 522-5

Hurricane (Pampero) at Buenos Aires, 70

at Port Mercy, 56

at Vancouver, 68

Idlers, 14

Illumination of _Marlborough_, 33

_Illustrious_ training ship, 6, 9

Imperial Defence, committee of, 481

Naval Defence, 408

Improvements, value of minor, 365

Incidents, amusing, 5, 28, 47, 104, 108,

113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118,

119, 133, 135, 136, 151, 153,

163, 164, 169, 196, 198, 199,

202, 223, 224, 225, 227, 230,

290, 316, 329, 334, 336, 343,

366, 371, 373, 392, 394, 415,

416, 445, 470-7, 489, 511, 516,

517, 519, 522, 523, 527, 528,

529, 530, 532, 533

India, visit of Prince to, 157

Ingram, Mr., 286

Instructions to Admirals in Egypt, 177

Intelligence Department. See Naval

Intervention, European, in Egypt, 175

Ionian Islands, 32

Ireland, rent question in, 128

royal residence in, advocated, 412

visit of Duke and Duchess of York, 413

Irish characteristics, 136

Irishman, a frenzied, 197

Irishmen in United States, 458

Irishmen's honour, 553

Irish politics (1872), 129, 342

Ismailia, journey to, 200

Ito, Marquess, interviews with, 449

Jackson, Mr. John, 386

Jakdul, 249

arrival of Desert Column, 255

Japan, in, 100, 455

Old, 90

Jokes, practical, 28, 30, 56, 71, 113, 115

Jones, "Ninepin," 23

José Salvatro, 236, 244

Kang Yu Wei, flight of, 432

Kanwah Island, 77

Keppel, Hon. Sir Henry, 111

Lieutenant Colin, 300, 303, 306

Kerry election (1872), 128

Khartoum, fall of, 291

in danger, 213, 217, 221

steamers start for, 287

Sir Charles Wilson's voyage to, 292

Khashm-el-Mus, 285

Khedive, appointment to staff of, 206

message of congratulation from, 326

in danger, 190

of Egypt. See Tewfik

Kiao-Chao, 423, 447, 448

Kinder, Mr., 447

Kingcome, Admiral, 64

King Edward visits _Bulwark_, 514

_King Edward_, H.M.S., hoists flag in, 550

Kitchener, Major, 256, 334

Korti, 219

Lord Charles' journey to, 245

Naval Brigade arrives at, 252

Kuang Hsu, Emperor, 420, 422

Kukri, 167

Land question in Ireland, 130

Leave, question of, 486, 566

Lesseps, M. de, protest of, 102

Lewis, Mr. George, 22

Li Hung Chang, 445

Line, crossing the, 53

Loan, demand for, 338

Twenty-one million, 360

London Chamber of Commerce, address before, 386

banquet to Lord Charles, 462

Lytton, Lord, 159

Machine guns, 331

M'Neill's zeriba engagement, 332

Magellan, Straits of, first ironclads to pass through, 66

_Magnificent_, building of, 393

Mahan, Admiral, 376, 398

Mahdi, death of, 333

Mahdi's skull, 329

Mahmoud Sami Pasha, 171

Maintopmen, 13

_Majestic_, 485

Malta, precautions against, 512

incidents at, 30

_Malwa_ rammed, 208

Maniac, troubled by, 236

Manila, visit to, 102

Manning of ships, 12

Manoeuvres, lectures on, 375

Maoris, 80

Marabout Fort, 187, 188, 189

Marconi wireless telegraphy, 414

_Marlborough_, 11

outbreak of fire, 14

Marriage, 151

Martin, Sir Wm. Fanshawe, 12

and reform of discipline, 17

Massacre of foreigners in Egypt, 176

Masts out of proportion, 32

Mate, rank of, abolished, 32

Mauritius, arrival at, 104

May, Surgeon-General A. W., 296, 307

Medals received, 44

Mediterranean, appointed second in command, 462

appointed to command, 508

Fleet, improvements in, 467

Fleet deficiencies, 463, 509

haul down flag, 469

_Melita_, 380

Memorandum on Organisation for War, 346

Memorials, family, ix

_Memories of the Sea_, 49, 54

Merchant ships and signalling, 382

Mercy, Port, 56

Mernat, 294, 296

Metemmeh, attack on, 281

Mexico, visit to, 548

Mex lines, keeping the, 201

Middleton, Captain R. W., 21

Midwife, acting as, 186

Mikado, visit to, 100

Military instruction in schools, 482

Mine-dropping experiments, 369

Mines, trawlers to sweep for, 554

Mizentopmen, 13

Montagu's, the Hon. V., Reminiscences of Sir H. Keppel, 111

Montgomerie, Lieutenant R. A. J., 315

Morant, Rear-Admiral, 393

Morley, Lord, and the Mahdi's skull incident, 329

Motor-car race, 468

Mullet, a huge red, 153

Mustard, a bottle of, 323

Nanking, Lord Charles' visit to, 450

Nares, Lieutenant George S., 7

_Nautilus_ submarine, 350

Naval Brigade in Soudan, 220

casualties, 267

endurance of, 328

under Lord Charles, 243, 252

Naval Defence Act, 385, 389, 397

Intelligence Department (Commercial Branch), 482

formed, 347

need for, 345

salaries reduced, 353

Works Bill, 406

Navigation in _Marlborough_, 21

Navy Estimates, signing the, 357

of 1888-9 challenged, 357

Navy, 1859, numbers and description, 2

League founded, 397

Lord Charles enters the, 2

the New, 48

the Old, 34

_Nelson and his Times_, 414

Nepal, Prince in, 164

Newchang, 447

Newspaper correspondent. See Correspondent

New York, Lord Charles at, 460

Nile Column, 220, 250, 319

_Nineteenth Century_, article in, 404

Noel, Commander Gerard (Memorandum on Training), 143

Noel's, Captain, feat of seamanship, 376

Admiral, action in Crete, 427

Northbrook's, Lord, declaration _re_ Navy, 341

North Sea incident, 494

Norwegian waters, cruise in, 554

Nucleus crew system, 465

Nuggar, wreck of Captain Gascoigne's, 306

Nuggars (native boats on Nile), 227, 228

Officers' pay inadequate, 407

Oil fuel, 483

Olden, Quartermaster, saves raiding party, 316

Omdurman, report of fall of, 271

"Open Door" policy, 425

Operations, delicate, 317

Organisation for War, 344

plans in Mediterranean Fleet, 511

Orhwalder, Father, letter of, 311

_Orontes_, 159

_Osborne_, 159

Royal Yacht, appointed to, 151

boat-racing, 152

Osman Digna, 214

Ottley's, Lieutenant, invention of mines, 369

Pampero, 70

Parkes, Sir Harry, attack on, 97

Parliament (1874), 140

Parnell, Mr., 141

Party system, views on, 138, 139

Pay of officers inadequate, 407

Pekin, arrival at, 434

Personnel, deficiency in, 397, 403

Petty officer rating, 366

Phillimore, Captain Augustus, 41

Physique, Lord Charles', viii

Pieter Both mountain, 104

ascent of, 105

Pig, riding a, 528

Piggott, Captain C. R., 265, 267

Police, appointed Chief of, 191

Political events (1873-80), 122

Politics in Ireland (1872), 128

Polo-playing, first, in England, 525

Portage of boats. See Whaleboats

Portraits, family, x

_Prince George_, accident to, 490

Prisons, Inspector of, 76

Probyn, Major-General, 161

Proclamation, issue of, 193, 289

Promoted, 27, 64, 73, 110, 146, 169, 414

Promotion dinner, 169

of officers, question of, 144

to flag rank earlier advocated, 40, 404, 483

Provisions, sending, to officers at front, 207

Prussia, Prince Henry of, 448

Punishments, 17

_Raleigh_, 159

wreck of, 112

"Ram," proposal to abolish the, 396

_Ramillies_, hoists flag in, 462

Ranches in Mexico, 549

Rating, alteration in, 365

Rations, meagre, 18, 52

Rent question in Ireland, 129

Reed, Sir Edward, 50

Rees, First Lieutenant W. S., 364

Reform of discipline, 17

of prison rules, 76

party in China, views of, 434

Reforms advocated in House of Commons, 143

in China advocated, summary of, 451

Reis threatened, 296

Repairs, ability to execute, 392, 493

new system in Mediterranean, 512

Requirements of the time, 405

_Research_, 71

Resignation from Board of Admiralty, 353

Review of 1897, 409

Richards, Sir Frederick, 389, 478

Riot in Alexandria, 178

River Column. See Nile

Roberts, Lieutenant, 2

Rojdesvenski, Admiral, 494

Ross, Mr. John, great assistance given by, 195

appreciation of Lord Charles Beresford, 180

Routine of work on the Nile, 233, 241

Royal Commission on Administration of the Navy and Army, 355

Family's interest in Navy, 153

Irish Regiment's fine march, 317

Marines, 13

heroism of, 147

Royle, Hon. Charles, 172

Russell, Dr. Wm. Howard, 158, 163

Russian Baltic fleet incident, 494

_Safieh_, s., 283, 290, 291, 295, 314

boiler injured, 298, 303

raiding expeditions in, 314, 316

Sail-drill in _Marlborough_, 21

Sailing feats, 62

Sail-making, 62, 71

Saint Paul's Cathedral, Dean of, and Leighton Memorial, 410

Salisbury, Lord, on policy in Egypt, 179

and Lord Charles' Memorandum, 347

Sandwich Islands, 57

San Francisco, 69, 458

_Sanspareil_, 375

Saving life, 43, 44

Scarborough, Channel Fleet visits, 489

School, Bayford, 5

Schoolfellows, 5

Schooner in distress, 57

Scott, Captain Percy, 466

Scrapes, getting into, 26, 27, 28, 43, 45, 47, 59, 64

Scurvy, 55, 68

Seamanship, 7

feat of, 42, 376

in the _Tribune_, 62

_Seignelay_, salving of, 378

_Serapis_, 158

Servants, two faithful, 82

Service in Soudan not credited to Lord Charles, 312

Seymour's, Admiral Sir E. H., book, 149, 159, 395

Shanghai, Lord Charles at, 449

Sharks, 546

Shendi, 247, 285

Shipbuilding programme required, 338, 387

transition from wood to iron, 48

Ship's personality, 51

Ships, weakness of, 368

Shooting incidents, 535-43

Shouting on deck, 16

Signalling incident at Alexandria, 205

value of knowledge of, 374

with merchant ships, 382

Signalmen, new drill for, 466

Smart, Rear-Admiral R., 41

Souakim-Berber route, 216

Expedition, 332

Soudan War of 1884-5, summary of, 211

preparations, 217

withdrawal of troops from, 333

Southwell, Lord, 117

Spearing fish, 70

Spencer programme, 388

Sport in India, 103

in Japan, 101

Sporting incident, 77, 79

Springs, hot, in New Zealand, 79

Squadron at Alexandria, details of, 186

Stealing stores, 43

Steam, prejudice against, 20, 49

Steam Reserve, appointed Captain of, 393

Steamers on Nile, haulage of, 228

sent by General Gordon, 283, 284

Stephenson, Admiral Sir H. F., 209

Stewart, Captain W. H., 12

Colonel, murder of, 226

Sir H., arrives at Korti, 252

wounded, 275

death of, 326

"Still" bugle-call, introduction of, 16

Sting-ray, a huge, 153

Stores, destruction of, 323

Stuart-Wortley, Lieutenant, 256

brings news of disaster, 291

voyage of, 294

Submarine, an early, 68

_Nautilus_, 350

Submarines purchased, 464

Suez Canal, purchase of shares, 158

Suffield, Lord, 533

Suite of Prince of Wales, 157, 161

Surf-playing, 88

Surgical operation, 162

Sutherland, Duke of, 164

_Sutlej_, 64, 74

Tahiti, 87

_Talakawiyeh_, s., 283, 285 292, 294

Talbot, Colonel the Hon. R., 268

march with wounded, 320

Tamaai, 216

Tarpon fishing, 545

Tattooing, 101

Telegram, delayed, 244

Tel-el-Kebir, victory of, 183, 207

Telephone, early working model of, 150

_Téméraire_, ashore at Alexandria, 188

feat of seamanship, 376

Temperance, an address on, 511

Teneriffe, flags at, 47

_Terrible_, 466

_Tewfikiyeh_, s., 283

Tewfik Pasha, 170, 171

Thompson, Colonel R. M., 460, 488

Three Admirals, the report of, 362

"Three Brothers'" race, 520

_Thunderer_, appointed to, 146

Tientsin, Lord Charles at, 446

Treaty of. See Treaty

Tokio, Lord Charles at, 456

Tombs, family, ix

Torpedo, the Whitehead, 141

Trafalgar Centenary celebration at Malta, 513

Training, new system advocated, 143

of Cadets, 6, 7

(Sir James Graham), 9

Training ship _Britannia_, 6

_Illustrious_, 6

Treaty of Tientsin, 4

_Tribune_, 61

Trincomalee, visit to, 104

Troopship service, 159

Tryon, Captain, 159

Sir George, 371

Tsung-li Yamen, visit to, 435

Turkish battleships, purchase of, 145

Turnpike incident, 113

_Turtle_, accident to, 53

Two-Power standard, 360

_Undaunted_, appointed to command, 364

as prize-winner, 372

high compliments paid to, 382

_Undaunted_, salves _Seignelay_, 378

touches a rock, 372

Uniform, lack of rules regarding, 8

United States, third visit to, 484

Squadron, visit of, 488

Unpreparedness for war, 338

Valparaiso, 56

bombardment of, 66

Vancouver, 59

Vesuvius, ascent of, 476

Victoria, Queen, and change of officers, 152

commended by, 329

congratulated by, 206

_Victoria and Albert_, Royal yacht, boat-racing, 152

Villiers, Mr. Frederic, 187

Voting in Parliament, independent, 138

Voyageurs, 230, 241

accidents to, 235

Wad Habeshi, 296

effect of fight at, 309

Wadi Halfa, 219, 223, 225

Wales, Prince of, appointed A.D.C. to, 157

at dinner to Lord Charles, 169

visit to Portsmouth Dockyard, 152

visit to India, 157

War plans in Mediterranean Fleet, 511

Warrant-officers, 13

_Warrior_, 42

War Staff, constituted, 397

need of, 478

Washington, Lord Charles at, 460

Watch, keeping, 52

Watch-bills, 12

Waterfall, shooting the, 88

Waterford, elected for, 130

lose seat, 156

members of Parliament, 141

Waterford, Lord, death of, 2, 400

Watertight compartments, 396

Wauchope, Major-General A. G., 8

Weakness in new steel ships, 368

Wei-hai-Wei, 447

Whaleboats on the Nile, 221, 223, 227,

229, 230, 231, 233, 235, 241

portage, 231

White, Sir William, 351

Whitehead torpedo, 141

Wilkinson's, Mr. Spenser, "Command of the Sea" articles, 397

Wilson, Captain, 375

John Crawford, 146

Wilson, Vice-Admiral Sir A. K., 485

Wilson's, Sir Charles, book, 253

report of Abu Idea fight, 268

voyage lo Khartoum, 292

Wingate's, Sir F. R., letter to Lord Wolseley, 309

Wolseley, Sir Garnet, appreciation of

his campaign in Egypt, 207

appointed Commander-in-Chief, Soudan, 218

appointed to staff of, 221

arrival at Ismailia, 182

and staff at Cairo, 221

Wolseley, Sir G., at Wadi Halfa, 234

Woolwich, M.P. for, 478

Wyllie, Mr. W. L., 399

Wyndham's Land Act, 342

Yokohama, arrival at, 100

York election, 415

resigns seat at, 462

Yuan Shih Kai, 421, 440

Yung Lu, a talk with, 438

Zeriba of Desert Column, 275

Zohrab Pasha, 225

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_Edinburgh_