The following tale of Pusser bureaucracy is taken from Swept Channels by ‘Taffrail’ (Captain Taprell Dorling DSO, FRHistS, RN) published by Hodder & Stoughton in 1935. It describes a WW I exchange of correspondence and signals started by the Skipper of a minesweeping trawler. The names are fictional.
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“From: Skipper Robert Johnson, HM Trawler ‘Polar Bear’
To: Commanding Officer, Y Division
1
Apr 19-.
I haven’t got no matches abord (sic).
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2nd
Apr. To: SNO
Submitted – Forwarded herewith request for matches made by Skipper of Trawler ‘Polar Bear’ under my command.
Adolphus Brown
Lieutenant RNR
Commanding Officer, Y Division
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To:
Naval Store Officer, Granton
Forwarded, concurring in supply.
John Travers
Captain RN
Senior Naval Officer
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To:
Senior Naval Officer
Noted and returned.
It is pointed out for your information that matches are not included in the list of establishment stores. Instructions are requested.
Andrew Flannagan
NSO, Granton
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To:
NSO, Granton
Please take steps as necessary to supply.
John Travers
Captain RN
Senior Naval Officer
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April 15th
MX.224.75/3317/62
To:
Naval Store Officer, HM Dockyard, Rosyth
It is requested that matches, safety, boxes, 12 in number, may be forwarded as soon as possible for Armed Trawler ‘Polar Bear’ stationed at this Base.
Andrew Flannagan
NSO, Granton
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To:
NSO, Granton
Returned, observing that matches, safety, are not included in the establishment of stores for Armed Trawlers. Request duplicate pattern of article required in order that communication may be made with Director of Stores, Admiralty.
James Mitchell
NSO, HM Dockyard, Rosyth
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1st June
To:
NSO, HM Dockyard, Rosyth
Forwarded herewith pattern as requested. The matter is becoming urgent.
Andrew Flannagan
NSO, Granton
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Telegram. July 3rd.
To:
NSO, HM Dockyard, Rosyth
Reference my MX.224.75/3317/62 of April 15th, forwarding demand for matches, safety, boxes, 12 in number. It is requested supply may be hastened. 0760. NSO, Granton.
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July 8th
To: NSO, Granton
Reference from MX.224.75/3317/62 of April 15th and telegram 0760 of July 3rd, please state reasons for which these articles are required.
James Mitchell
NSO, HMS Dockyard, Rosyth
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July 10th
To:
SNO, Granton
Submitted – forwarded.
Andrew Flannagan
SNO, Granton
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July 11th
To:
Commanding Officer, Y Division
Note and return with your remarks.
John Travers
Captain RN
SNO
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July 13th
To:
Skipper Robert Johnson, HM Trawler ‘Polar Bear’
Note and return with your remarks.
Adolphus Brown
Lieutenant RNR
Commanding Officer, Y Division
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July 15th
From: Skipper Robert Johnson, HM Trawler ‘ Polar Bear’
To:
CO, Y Division
Sorry. I made a bloomer. I meant mattress.
Robert Johnson
Skipper RNR
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July 17th
To:
Senior Naval Officer
Submitted – Skipper of HM Trawler ‘Polar Bear’ reports he made a clerical error. The demand was for a mattress.
Adolphus Brown
Lieutenant RNR
Commanding Officer, Y Division
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July 21st
To:
CO, Y Division
You are to caution Skipper of HM Trawler ‘Polar Bear’ to be more careful in future. Mistakes of this nature entail much unnecessary work for all concerned.
John Travers
Captain RN
SNO
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July
23rd
Submitted. Skipper Johnson has since been transferred to Archangel. Request instructions.
Adolphus Brown
Lieutenant RNR
Commanding Officer, Y Division
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At the foot of this correspondence were further pencilled remarks, apparently in the Senior Naval Officer’s handwriting. They are unpublishable.”