Page 1 - 13 December 1871
Page 1 - 13 December 1871 |
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U.S. Flagship "Wabash" 1st Rate
Off Cadiz, Spain
December 1871
Captain J. B. Creighton, USN
Commanding U.S.S. Guerriere 1st Rate
Sir:
Your letter of the 16th ish, in reply to
mine of the same date, has been received, and I have to call your
attention to the following points. The Department was fully aware
of
the conditions of the "Guerriere", when she
was ordered here for the
purpose of putting a portion of her crew on board the "Congress
"; and
it was then contemplated that you should receive other men
in their place, to enable you to go "upon the American coast
in
mid winter". Now although for some unexplained reason (which,
however, it is easy to guess, in view of recent public events
[...] )
this transfer has been dispensed with; yet as, there was then,
no question
of "hazarding the safety of your ship". Again: by the
statement of
your Executive Officer, all the worthless and least valuable
men of
the "Guerriere's" crew, have already been transfered
to other vessels of
the Fleet, and only the best men have been retained. On the other
hand my proposition was to exchange "hale and hearty men"
for such
as would at once render this vessel an efficient man-o war; thus
affording you the opportunity to correct, what I cannot but consider
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an error in making the previous transfer; and this exchange
of man for
man, was further made dependent upon the willingness of your
ex
-perienced men to volunteer for the cruise of this vessel, where
they
would have unusual chances of being promoted to petty officers
ratings. I think, therefore, you will hardly fail to perceive
that your
protest "against transferring any of the crew" under
my proposition was
a very grave mistake. With a view, therefore, solely, to the
interests of
the public services you will be pleased to find out how many
of
the "Gueriere's" crew are willing to volunteer
for the cruise of the
"Wabash"; and you will select from among the
best of such volunteers,
so far as possible, the following numbers in the different rates.
Viz
ten (10) Seamen and fifteen (15) Ordinary Seamen.
To be exchanged for an equal number of the same rates, from this
ship.
And in addition to the above, there will be Sixteen (16) other
men trans
-ferred to your vessel for a return to the United States; only
Six
of whom are sick, and the others indifferent, but none will be
required
of you in exchange for them.
Respectfully
James Alden
Rear Admiral, USN |
