Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-22


and is inc one most depended on in time OF
action. To us il is u fine promenade, being
OF sufficient height to- admit my walking
erect, though you know Iwant but n triie oil
six feet. Our walk is usually between the
cabin and the mainmast, an interval called
the haif deck, the larboaTd side of which |
belongs also TO the officers, though it has
not the sacred character of the quarter deck.
| will now descend story lower. We come
to the birth deck, SO called because originally
used for swinging the mems hammock's du-
ring the night, though the main deck is now
also employed for that purpose. They are
excluded from this in day time except at
meals; the mess cooks only are allowed to.
remain; each of these has his particular place:
his mess chest and its utensils are there de-
posted, and it is his duty to keep them
clean and in order. The birth deck, how
ever, properly SO called, extends only little
abait of the mainmast; in its centre is the
sick bay, a room with bulkheads of open.
work, and forming our hospital, now pretty
web filled, for large number of our men
arc sick This deck is supplied with air by
range of air ports 10 inches by 8, n few
feet above water mark; they are closed at
sea. The marines cluster around the main
mast; abaft the mainmasf. on each side of
The ship, are three state rooms of comforta-
bic size, occupied by the for1rard officers
VINO are the boatswain, gunner, carpenter,
Sailmaker, and pnrser's clerk. Just astern of
these bnlkhcad extends entirely across the
deck, aud shuts out further view, but the
bursts of laughter and odd noises that come
from beyond it show us that there is the
Storage, the nidshipmen's domiciIe-and
SO III Is. This is a room extending the whole
breadth of the vessel, and about tweniy-feet
the other way: il is lined with chests for their
LOT hoe I,rvl.,
Two AR ports, and hatchway above. down
which, however, is the ladder which leads TO
the ward room. The warm room is occu-
ped 10y the heutenants, purser, surgeon
chaplain, master, and marine officers. II
occupies all abatt the Storage, and is lined
on each side with apartments about seven
feet by five, which in the sad hck of room
aboard ship are dignified with the name of
state rooms, as are also all others appropri-
ated to individuals. Butyyou have not seen
my mess room yet, nor would you suspect
where II is, for our feet are already below
water mark. and you would not look for il
under the sea, and of course in region of
utter darkness. But there il is Stand here
in the Storage and look down that dark
mole; 1t opens into a room they call the
cockpit: room wide but low, and with
scarcely ray oflight Ii is lined on three sides
with store rooms, including the dispcnsary.
or medical chamber, and state rooms. he
meath, and opening into it, is the spirit room
and abaft is the bread room, so that it is a
considerable thoroughfarc. The bread is !
served out frequently; the spirits pumped
twice day; and, IN the latter case, all the |
lights IN the room must be eXtnguished.-I
Here are TO mess the two surgeons mates.
the captains clerk, and myself; but as am
to do also the duties of clerk till we reach
Mediterranean 81
three, unless we choose to invite down some
OF the mIdshlpmen, as is sometimes done
In front OF the cockpit is the main hold.
and beyond II the ships store rooms, usually
hlted up by their occupants with considera-
bic taste Let me add, that, as YOU stand
in the ship looking forward, all the right half
IS starboard, and all on the left larboard
sometimes called to port.)
Let me give you some further insight into
these worlds, or Kingdoms, in miniature.
You must not understand, however, what 7
snail say as connected with the ship am in:
ii will be rather a view of the Organization
OF such ships generally, and is the result of
many inquiries, as well as of observation.
Tobegin, then: There is no republicanism
IN man of war. One sees this the moment
he sets his foot on board, and feels it. after
wards, III every part of the complicated, vet
Wen ordered system, with which ne is BROUGHT
into contact. The first thing that strikes HIM
IS the authoritative tone Of one class, and the
ready and implicit obedience Of the other.
There can be no hesitation; no stopping to
enquire about eXpediency; but when a thing
is ordered II must be done; even when he who
gives the order is, as is often the case, a mere
piping school boy. You see at once that even
the midshipman is placed at an infinite ele
VatIon above the seaman, but his turn Of sub
mission also comes. He can no more aues.
ton the orders Of lieutenant than Il sailor
can ms lie gives up to this officer his PRONE.
Hade as soon as the latter sets foot ON il.
fehnquIshcs to him the starboard side Of the
quarter deck IN port, and the windward one
AT sea. And the lieutenant, in his turn, shows
al ms respect to the commander. The lat
deck" P''P''u