And State Papers 633 



the deadliest battery, and to send it afloat with a 

 raw crew, no matter how brave they were individu- 

 ally, would be to insure disaster if a foe of average 

 capacity were encountered. Neither ships nor men 

 can be improvised when war has begun. 



We need a thousand additional officers in order 

 to properly man the ships now provided for and 

 under construction. The classes at the naval school 

 at Annapolis should be greatly enlarged. At the 

 same time that we thus add the officers where we 

 need them, we should facilitate the retirement of 

 those at the head of the list whose usefulness has 

 become impaired. Promotion must be fostered if 

 the service is to be kept efficient. 



The lamentable scarcity of officers, and the large 

 number of recruits and of unskilled men necessarily 

 put aboard the new vessels as they have been com- 

 missioned, has thrown upon our officers, and espe- 

 cially on the lieutenants and junior grades, unusual 

 labor and fatigue and has gravely strained their 

 powers of endurance. Nor is there sign of any im- 

 mediate let-up in this strain. It must continue for 

 some time longer, until more officers are graduated 

 from Annapolis, and until the recruits become trained 

 and skilful in their duties. In these difficulties inci- 

 dent upon the development of our war fleet the con- 

 duct of all our officers has been creditable to the 

 service, and the lieutenants and junior grades in 

 particular have displayed an ability and a stead- 

 fast cheerfulness which entitles them to the un- 

 grudging thanks of all who realize the disheartening 



