TOPIC:

CAPE TOWN

April 10, 1900

From The Officer Commanding "Strathcona*s Horse",

To the Right Honourable Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, G.C.M.G.
17 Victoria Street,
London, England.

My Lord,

I have the honour to submit this my report on the voyage from Halifax to Capetown.

As already cabled the Regiment arrived here this morning. The voyage as far as the Officers and Men are concerned has been pleasant. Everything to conduce to their comfort has been done by Captain Parry on the ship. But I was very unfortunate with my horses. For some days after we left Halifax there was a heavy swell which caused the ship to roll to a very considerable extent giving the horses much discomfort and some of them seasickness. On the 19th March the Veterinary Surgeon discovered that owing to the change from the dry atmosphere of Ottawa to that of the damp of the North Atlantic Ocean the horses had contracted pneumonia to a frightful extent, no less than 80% of them showing signs of it, and from that date until our arrival here nearly every day has been marked by the deaths of several. The Veterinary Officer, Lieut. Stevenson, the Farrier Quarter Master Sergeant and the Officers and Men of the corps have been unremitting in their attention. Everything has been done that experience could suggest without avail. Up to the present date the deaths have numbered 161.

On the 7th instant I assembled a Board of Officers to report upon the horses dead and submit herewith copy of the same. You will observe from the evidence that everything in our power has been done to bring the horses around. In addition Mr. Gunn, who owing to his experience in the shipment of horses, was sent along to give the Veterinary Officer all the assistance in his power. I placed him, together with every goodman that could be selected out of the Regiment at the disposal of the Veterinary Officer.

The forage provided for the horses has been of a very good quality, but owing to the seasickness and the novelty of the surroundings it was some time before they would eat it with relish.

When the ship arrived in the Tropics the heat between decks was most intense, the thermometer going as high as 93 degrees. Fortunately for a part of the time there was a good breeze and as soon as the weather began to get warm, wind sails were put up in every hatch and everything done to cause a draught of air to go down, but in spite of this position of the horses was most trying.

The surviving horses number 383 saddle and 52 transport, which will enable two Squadrons to take the front complete.

I am not aware at present whether remounts can be obtained to replace the horses lost. I can hardly express to you my sorrow at the circumstances under which we have been placed owing to the death rate among the horses. For my part I have done my very best to see that all care was taken. In fact I have taken great personal interest in this matter and was ably seconded by Major Belcher, who is a man of great experience and ability.

I may say further regarding the horses that from the commencement I was anxious to have them in a fit state to undertake this long journey and also that no chances should be in the way of contracting contagious diseases. I therefore issued instructions in Ottawa to have all sick horses isolated, and the following appeared in the orders of the Regiment.

"R.O. 119. Horses arriving from the West with any visible discharge from the nose, must immediately be isolated. A stable must be provided for this purpose. The Acting Quarter Master Farrier Sergeant will inspect the horses on arrival."

Drills.

The following drills were carried out during the voyage: -

Musketry, Manual of Firing and Revolver.

As soon as we got on board the men were told off in the boats upon which they would fall in were it necessary to abandon ship. As far as possible everything laid down in the Queen's Regulations was carried out strictly and I must say that I am very much pleased with the manner in which Officers and Men exerted themselves to help in my efforts to maintain order on the ship.

In drilling it has been found that the men showed interest and steadiness. It is something new for a body of men to drill at the Manual and firing exercises on board ship, and the fact that the vessel has been rolling more or less during the whole voyage the smartness of the men is simply marvellous.

Lectures.

During the voyage lectures were delivered to the Sergeants, among the subjects touched upon were Scouting, Outposts, Advance and Rear Guards, Screening and Enemy, etc.

Guards and Piquets.

The following guards were put on the horses: • A Major three troops with troop officers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a Captain, three troops, with troop officers from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The ship was patrolled by Regimental Police and sentries placed all over the ship.

Feed and Rations.

The rations supplied to the Regiment have been very satisfactory. A few complaints were made but they were owing, no doubt, to the fact that the ship was not originally intended for this purpose. All these things were rectified in a very short time. The ship was inspected regularly according to order and anything found wrong was immediately set right.

Health.

Surgeon-Lieutenant Keenan vaccinated all the men on the 23rd.

Some of them were a little sore after it and a number were off duty for a short time on that account. There has been considerable seasickness as well but not as much as I expected. I enclose the report of Dr. Keenan by which you will see that five noncommissioned officers and men are suffering from complaints which will unfit them for service duty. I also enclose you a copy of the Veterinary Officers report.

Canteen.

In accordance with regulations a canteen was opened under the supervision of a non-commissioned officer, who was on duty daily.

Conduct.

The conduct of all ranks has been quite satisfactory. Any cases brought to my notice were simply the result of inexperience and not likely to occur again in the same individuals.

Studies.

I distributed the different works on Patrols, Scouting, Advance and Rear Guards, Screening the Army, etc., and I am pleased to say that everyone has taken a great interest in the work and no doubt with the experience the men already have in a wild country they will give a good account of themselves.

A fire occurred on the evening of the 27th March at 7.50 when the officers were at dinner. On the alarm being sounded the men paraded in order and in perfect silence. The fire, which was confined to the troop galley, was not of a very serious character, but it gave one a good idea of how the Corps would behave under such circumstances.

The Regiment was paid on the 31st of March and 7th of April, Lieut. Ketchen acting as Paymaster for me.

Amusements.

With the ample supply of books and periodicals and the articles given by you for the comfort of the men, they have been able to spend their spare time very pleasantly. Your generosity in this regard will never be forgotten.

There were two concerts held on board which were greatly enjoyed. When we crossed the Equator on the 31st instant I gave all not on duty a half holiday to celebrate the event. A funny representation of a visit to the ship by Neptune was given much to the delight of everyone.

Captain Carpenter, two officers and 104 men of the Royal Regiment Canadian Infantry were, as you know, on board. Owing to the great pressure of work in connection with your Corps it was found necessary to call upon this detail to furnish the night guard. Their duties of course were not nearly so severe as those of "Strathcona's Horse" but considering the inexperience of the men their work was well performed.

I wish to assure you in conclusion that every officer, noncommissioned officer and man considers it a very treat honor to serve in the Regiment raised by you. In fact when we left Halifax we were the envy of the whole Dominion of Canada.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,


Your obedient servant,
S. B. STEELE, Lt. Col.
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse'