WILLIAM McKINLEY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., April 29, 1901.
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.