The following table of offences and punishments is submitted for consideration and comment; believing that if the same could be carried into effect, it would materially increase the discipline of our naval service:
Offences | Punishments | Guilt determined and punishment awarded by |
Overtime from liberty, 2hours or under | Lose 1 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 2 hrs. to 4 hrs. | Lose 2 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 4 hrs. to 6 hrs. | Lose 3 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 6 hrs. to 8 hrs. | Lose 4 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 8 hrs. to 10 hrs. | Lose 5 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 10 hrs. to 12 hrs. | Lose 6 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 12 hrs. to 14 hrs. | Lose 7 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 14 hrs. to 16 hrs. | Lose 8 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 16 hrs. to 18 hrs. | Lose 9 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 18 hrs. to 20 hrs. | Lose 10 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 20 hrs. to 22 hrs. | Lose 11 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 22 hrs. to 24 hrs. | Lose 12 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 24 hrs. to 36 hrs. | Lose 16 day’s pay | The commander officer |
Over 36 hrs. to 48 hrs. | Lose 20 day’s pay | The commander officer |
(a) Overtime from liberty, over 48 hrs. and under ten days. (b) Leaving ship, Navy Yard, or Naval Station without proper authority (c) Under the influence of liquor (d) Alcoholic liquor in possession. (e) Smuggling, or attempting to smuggle, alcoholic liquor, on board ship, or in Navy Yard, or Naval Station. | 1st offence: Lose 1 month’s pay. 2nd offence: Lose 2 months’ pay. 3rd offence or additional offences: Lose 3 months’ pay; or discharge from the service with bad conduct discharge, at discretion of the Commanding Officer and with the approval of the Bureau of Navigation | A court of three officers, the majority deciding, but with no more paper work than that required for a punishment awarded by the Commanding Officer. |
Tight from liberty—not in itself an offense.
When men are deprived of liberty for any length of time at a place where their shipmates are enjoying this privilege, it makes those deprived of this liberty, restless and dissatisfied. It leads to misconduct—serious sometimes—and, in many cases, to desertion.
For the offences of overtime from liberty over 48 hours and under ten days; leaving ship, navy yard, or naval station without proper authority; under the influence of liquor; alcoholic liquor in possession; and smuggling, or attempting to smuggle, liquor; three courts martial, or less, with increased loss of pay for each additional offence, stops, as a rule, these offences by the person concerned; and I feel that the punishment for these offences should be the same on board all vessels and at all naval stations.
I think all, or nearly all, who have a thorough knowledge of the subject, will agree that a system with loss of pay as the punishment for the offences above tabulated is far superior to any other; just as a fine is considered the adequate punishment for a violation of city ordinances of a similar nature.
The loss of pay for an offence is a question that requires careful consideration, for there are two objects to be attained, viz.: the adequate enlistment of desirable men and their retention in the service until retired, and the maintenance of discipline. All other objects are comprised in these two.