Regulations for the government of the United States Navy (1865)

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Section 19.

Mustering Workmen and Check Officers.

961 It is of the utmost importance to the public interest that no more of the working day should be absorbed in conducting the necessary musters than can be avoided, and therefore, whenever practicable, the mechanics and laborers employed at a navy yard are to be divided as equally as needs be into mustering gangs, no one of which to exceed six hundred in number, and each to be designated by a letter of the alphabet, so as to repair, for the purpose of being mustered at the prescribed times, to the mustering office or station exhibiting a corresponding letter. As fast as the men are mustered they are to go promptly and quietly to the work assigned them.

962 A Check Officer, who is to be either a lieutenant, master, or ensign, whenever arrangements will permit, is to be present at each mustering office or station whenever a muster takes place, and, with a verified copy of the roll used thereat, furnished under the responsibility of the clerk of the yard by the mustering clerk, he is to note, as the roll is called, the presence or absence of each individual, and to enter the name of any new man, not already on the roll, presenting himself to be received by due authority. Immediately after the muster has ended he is to compare his roll with that of the mustering clerk, and if any disagreement should be found an investigation must take place without delay, to ascertain the cause of the discrepancy and correct the error. The rolls kept by Check Officers, when filled, are to be returned by them to the Commandant's office, and there filed for reference. In case of a deficiency of officers to serve as just mentioned, the Commandant is to direct as many of the clerks or writers already employed in the yard as may be necessary to act in their stead, and they are to do so in addition to the ordinary duties exacted of them. The clerk of the yard is to select, with the approval of the Commandant, suitable persons to perform the duties of mustering clerks, and to be allowed one to an average of every six hundred workmen employed, he himself mustering, one of the gangs, and being regarded, therefore, so far, as one of those clerks. The mustering clerks are to assist the clerk of the yard in computing and preparing the rolls for the inspection and government of the disbursing officer in paying the men off, and by this arrangement it is expected that the clerk of the yard will never fail to make his rolls and returns as promptly as required.

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