Page:The Next Naval War - Eardley-Wilmot - 1894.djvu/32

 notice and at another time of the year, was to find those responsible for this important part of naval equipment quite unprepared. Indeed, when the port admirals on receipt of the order to mobilise sent urgent demands for powder and projectiles, the ordnance store officers declared themselves unable to move until proper requisitions from headquarters had been received, and arrangements could be made for transport. Then the anomalous condition which places the most essential portion of a ship's fighting capacity under military control was apparent. True both services use powder, and in theory a common store is economical, but why should not the Navy supply boots on the same reasoning to soldiers and sailors? Anyhow, here was the first cause of delay, and the red tape barrier was only overcome by the energetic action of one admiral, who at once sent an officer of his staff to assume command of the depôt, while another was despatched to hire all the lighters in the port. He remembered the procedure of Sir Edmund Lyons when he had to make arrangements for the landing in the Crimea, and the shock caused in the official mind by his prompt dealings at Constantinople with owners of necessary stores. But a little irregularity on these occasions wonderfully facilitates the movement of a fleet or army. It was found so now, for in a few hours twenty lighters had been found, loaded and despatched to the vessels fitting out.