In case of the death, resignation, absence or sickness of the Secretary of the Navy, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Rear Admiral Charles O’Neil, U.S.  Navy and Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance is, in pursuance of the provisions of Sections 177 and 179 of the Revised Statutes, hereby authorized and directed to perform the duties of Secretary of the Navy until a successor is appointed or until such absence or sickness shall cease.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., June 7, 1901.

The following “Classification of Vessels” and “Assignments to man afloat” are hereby established for the Navy in accordance with an act of Congress, approved March 3: 

  CLASSIFICATION OF VESSELS.

  Torpedo Boat Destroyers:  Torpedo boats, tugs, sailing ships and
  receiving ships shall not be rated.  Other vessels shall be rated by tons
  of displacement as follows: 

  First Rates:  Men of War when of eight thousand tons and above.

Second Rates:  Men of War of four thousand tons and under eight thousand tons, and Converted and Auxiliary vessels of six thousand tons and above, except Colliers, Refrigerating ships, Distilling ships, Tank-steamers, Reporting ships, Hospital ships and other vessels constructed or equipped for special purposes.

Third Rates:  Men of War from one thousand to four thousand tons and Converted and Auxiliary Vessels from one thousand to six thousand tons and Colliers, Refrigerating ships, Supply ships, Distilling ships, Tank-steamers, Report ships, Hospital ships and other vessels constructed or equipped for special purposes of four thousand tons and above.

  Fourth Rates:  All other vessels.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., June 7, 1901.

Commandants to man the following: 

An Admiral to man a fleet.

Rear-Admiral to man a fleet or squadron.

A Captain to man a division, or ship of the first or second rating or a ship not rated.

Commander to man a division or a ship of the second or third rating or ship not rated.

Lieutenant-Commander to man a ship of the third or fourth rating or a ship not rated.

A Lieutenant to man a ship of the fourth rating; a torpedo boat destroyer, torpedo boat, tug, tender or a ship not rated.

A Lieutenant, junior grade, to command a torpedo boat, tug, tender or ship not rated.

An Ensign to man a torpedo boat, tug or ship not rated.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., June 10, 1901.

To the Secretary of the Treasury: