SHORT NOTES ON PEOEESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
39 
in this place; and shall take the first opportunity in the spring, of a vessel to Quebec. 
The day after our arrival here, Messrs T. & B. went to a place about 7 leagues from 
hence, to be under the care of a female surgeon; the only medical assistance to be 
got here; and we have just heard that they are recovering fast. Mr Bennet has 
losed all the toes of the left foot. 
This place is the residence of a merchant, who has in store all kinds of necessaries 
to sell to the inhabitants hereabouts ; and therefore the best situation we could be 
in; as both ourselves and the men were almost intirely destitute of cloatlis of every 
kind. I have got the men (as you will see by the enclosed account) only what is 
absolutely necessary in so cold a climate as this, and with regard to their allowance 
of meat, have also been as economical as possible. Enclosed you have the separate 
acknowledgments of each man, for the receipt of the different articles charged 
to them. 
We paid John Brine the Master of the schooner which conveyed us here 
30 guineas, as a recompense for his going above 50 leagues out of his way, which on 
account of the lateness of the season, deprived him of his winter’s work, for which 
I hope the Board will make us some allowance, if General Patisson will be good 
enough to make an application. 
Signed, 
Capt. Erazer, HOWARD DOUGLASS, 
Adjutant 4th Batt. 1st Lieut. Royal Artillery. 
Royal Artillery. 
36. Horse Transports. 
The following information gives the experience of Major Probyn, Commanding 
1st Seikh Irregular Cavalry, regarding the transports employed in conveying his 
regiment between India and China in 1860. 
The Committee are indebted to Captain Heath, c.b., R.N. for communicating 
to them what is now published, and they hope hereafter to be enabled, through the 
kindness of Colonel Adye, c.b., to publish further information on the same subject, 
which was gained from the more extended experience during the Crimean 
campaign. 
Precis of the contents of report:— 
Horse ships should not have false decks unless they are properly caulked. 
Should have large scuppers to carry off the urine. Should have bow-ports if 
possible. Should have side-ports on each side. Great attention should be paid 
to the ventilations, if the voyage is to be in warm latitudes. The horses should 
be on the main deck. The stalls should be 7' long and 2' 6" wide, from centre to 
centre of stanchions, a space of 3' 6" or 4' in rear of the stalls to enable the men 
to clean the horses properly. To effect this it may be necessary to diminish the 
space between the row of stalls on the opposite side of the ship. The height 
between the planking of the decks should never be less than 7'. The iron pegs for 
fixing the side boards should be attached to the stanchions with a short chain, 
otherwise they are frequently lost. There should be a strong bamboo, 15" below 
the upper one. Cross battens should be placed directly beneath the sideboards, 
made so as to allow the urine to run off. The feeding troughs should have strong- 
fixings as they get rough handling. There should never be less than 10 per cent, 
of spare stalls on long voyages, 25 per cent, only of resting slings, 6 shipping- 
slings in each ship—1 scraper per stall, 50 per cent, of brooms, with a reserve. 
Coir mats are most useful, but should only be used in rough weather, as they 
are liable to stink, and become full of insects if not taken up. 
