U. S. NAVAL INSTITUTE
SECRETARY’S NOTES
Annual Dues - The annual dues for 1916 became payable on January 1, 1916. It is suggested that clues be paid in lump sums covering a period of two to five years; this method of payment has advantages for members as well as for the Institute and is practiced by a number of members, both regular and associate. Response to this notice will save the Institute a considerable sum in stationery and postage. Beginning January 1, 1916, members residing abroad permanently or for any length of time will be charged postage at the rate of fifty cents a year.
Special Notice - It is believed that the scope of usefulness of the Proceedings to members of the Institute can be increased Notice and all members are invited to assist in this work. Should any topic occur to you on which you think an article could well be written, or on which you would like to read one, send such topic to the Secretary and Treasurer, together with such explanation or comment as may appear desirable in order that the intent of the suggestion may be clearly understood. The Institute is desirous of obtaining good “sea yarns” for publication. It is hoped that anyone who can spin such a yarn will submit it.
Suggested Topic - The accompanying extract from a letter received Suggested from Mr. H. C. Palmer, of Buffalo, associate member, Topic is published in the hope of inspiring an article similar to the one requested:
I wish to suggest that it would be very enlightening if the Institute would publish an essay on the subject of blockade and contraband. I am fairly familiar with naval literature but I am entirely unable to find anything that fully describes the position of the United States during the Civil War in regard to shipments through Matamoras. I cannot find whether or not the United States was able to prevent shipments of contraband through that port. Professor Soley, in his book “Blockade and the Cruisers,” touches on this point but does not explain the situation fully.
I suggest that this essay might explain in detail the cases of the Peterhof, the Labaun, the Springbok and the Will-o’-the-Wisp. In the case of the latter, the capture of which is described on page 525, of volume 18, “ Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies,” the British naval officers, at least, took a very different position from that which the British government takes now. As precedents of the Civil War are being cited, a complete statement of those precedents is badly needed.
I suppose, of course, naval officers are entirely familiar with the subject, but civilians are not, and so far as I can find, no one knows where to find a general statement of the American position in the Civil War.
Attention is invited to the following articles which References have appeared in the pages of the Proceedings during the past two years; they treat of subjects which closely concern Naval War College work; a perusal of them should prove profitable:
1914
War and Policy. By Captain J. S. McKean, U. S. N.; page 1, Whole No. 149, June, 1914.
Moral Training in Preparation for War. By Charles M. Bakewell; page 157, Whole No. 149, January, 1914.
The Great Lesson from Nelson for To-day. By Lieut. Commander D. W.
Knox, U. S. N., P. E., page 295, Whole No. 150.
Naval Policy as it Relates to the Shore Establishment and the Maintenance of the Fleet. By Captain John Hood, U. S. N„ H. M., 1914; page 319, Whole No. 150, March, 1914.
Details of Navy Department Administration: Navy Department Policies. By Lieut. Commander N. L. Jones, U. S. N.; page 377, Whole No. 150, March, 1914.
Military Preparedness. By Naval Constructor Richard Gatewood, U. S. N., H. M., 1914; page 631, Whole No. 151, May, 1914.
What Should be the Relations Between Battle and Reserve Fleets. By Captain W. S. Sims, U. S. N.; page 727, Whole No. 151, May, 1914. Old Principles and Modern Applications. By Dudley W. Knox, U. S. N., H. M., 1914; page 1009, Whole No. 152. July, 1914.
The Battle of the Sea of Japan: Translation Japanese General Staff Report. By Captain W. T. Hoadley, U. S. Marine Corps; page 961, Whole No. 152, July, 1914.
Some Foreign and Other Views of War and the Study and Conduct of War. By Captain Albert Gleaves, U. S. N.; page 1301, Whole No. 153, September. 1914.
Strategic Problems and Their Solution. By Captain R. von Labres, I. G. N. Translated by Surgeon J. F. Leys, U. S. N.; page 1409, Whole No. 153, September, 1914.
1915
Employment of Torpedo Vessels in Night Search. Translation. By Lieut. Commander VV. N. Jeffers, U. S. N.; page 89, Whole No. 155 February 1915-
Extracts from Mahan’s Naval Strategy. By Lieutenant W. T. Lightle, U. S. N.; page 155, Whole No. 155, February, 1915.
The Role of Doctrine in Naval Warfare. Prize Essay. By Commander Dudley W. Knox, U. S. N.; page 325, Whole No. 156, April, 1915. Naval War College Principles and Methods Applied Afloat. By Captain W. S. Sims, U. S. N.; page 383, Whole No. 156, April, 1915.
The Work Ahead of Naval Aviation. Lieutenant R. C. Saufley, U. S. N.; page 505, Whole No. 156, April, 1915.
An Air Fleet, Our Pressing Naval Want. By Commander T. D. Parker, U. S. N.; page 709, Whole No. 157, June, 1915.
The Estimate of the Situation. By Rear Admiral Austin M. Knight, U. S. N.; page 765, Whole No. 157, June, 1915.
The Control of Fleets in Action. By Lieutenant H. H. Frost, U. S. N.; page 1053, Whole No. 158, August, 1915.
Naval Scouts. By Commander Ralph Earle, U. S. N.; page 1099, Whole No. 158, August, 1915.
Peace or War? By Commander A. W. Hinds, U. S. N.; page 1409, Whole No. 159, October, 1915.
Battle Tactics. By Lieutenant R. A. Dawes, U. S. N.; page 1873, Whole No. 160, December, 1915.
Bureau of Information - The Institute offers its services as a “Bureau of Information” on professional questions and will endeavor to obtain replies from the best qualified sources. Those “Questions and Answers” which are suitable for purposes of general information, will appear in the Proceedings. It is suggested that knotty questions which come up in professional examinations for promotion may well be submitted to this department.
Membership - Since May 17, 1916, 15 regular and 29 associate members have joined the Institute. The following members have died:
Captain P. F. Werlich, U. S. Navy.
Lieutenant C. A. Richards, U. S. Navy.
Captain Thomas Nelson, U. S. Navy.
Lieut. Commander R. S. Douglas, U. S. Navy.
Lieutenant R. C. Saufley, U. S. Navy.
Commodore J. H. Sears, U. S. Navy.
New Memberships - It is gratifying to record the growth of the associate membership list. Much of the credit for this increase must be given to Mr. Thomas G. Frothingham, associate member, of Boston. The Secretary quotes with pleasure extracts from a letter recently received from Mr. Frothingham: “I am much interested in your society and I believe that membership is the best way of showing a real interest in the navy. Your Institute has its character so well defined that it is safe from all political and limelight influences, and I honestly believe it should be the society, representative of the navy throughout the country.” It is hoped this quotation will suggest to both regular and associate members a further means of extending the usefulness and scope of the Institute.
Changes in Officials - The changes in “Officers of the Institute” noted in this number of the Proceedings were impelled by the detachment from the Naval Academy of Commander J. R. P. Pringle, U. S. Navy, member, and of Lieut. Commander B. C. Allen, U. S. Navy, secretary and treasurer, under orders to sea duty. The Board of Control elected Lieut. Commanders J. Halligan and J. W. Greenslade, U. S. Navy, respectively to fill the vacancies so caused.
Notice - Whole Nos. 145, 146, 147, 149 and 155 of the Proceedings (March. 1913, June, 1913, September, 1913, January-February, 1914, and January-February, 1915) are exhausted; there are so many calls for single copies of these numbers that the Institute offers to pay for copies thereof returned in good condition at the rate of 25 cents per copy.
Address of Members - Members, especially those on the retired list, and civilians are urged to keep the Secretary and Treasurer informed of the address to which Proceedings are to be sent, and thus insure their receipt.
Book Department - The Institute Book Department will supply any obtainable book, of any kind, at retail price, postage prepaid. The trouble saved the purchaser through having one source of supply for all books, should be considered. The cost will not be greater and sometimes less than when obtained from dealers. Bills will be rendered upon delivery of books!
Error in Book Advertisement - In Whole No. 163 of the Proceedings (May-June, 1916) Ship and Gun Drills, 1916, is advertised as ready about July 1, 1916.. Ship and Gun Drills, 1916, is a reprint of Ship and Gun Drills, 1914, without changes and the advertisement should have so stated.
Non-receipt of Proceedings - Members and subscribers are urged to notify the Secretary and Treasurer promptly of the non-receipt of Proceedings, in order that tracers may be started. The issue is completed by the 10th of the even numbered month.
Reprints of Articles - The attention of authors of articles is called to the fact that the cost to them of reprints other than the usual number furnished, can be greatly reduced if the reprints are struck off while the article is in press. They are requested to notify the Secretary and Treasurer of the number of reprints desired when the article is submitted.
Notice to Newsdealers - The discount to newsdealers is now 10 per cent, instead of the 25 per cent heretofore allowed on subscriptions.
Annapolis, Md., July 17, 1916.