The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-01-31

a Nautical Examination-By u4wsER nARTrxoALE.
Il was stated not long since ir an English paper,
that a regulation was about To be adopted in LON
don and other important seapOrs Uf Great Britain,
by which masters and maies OF vessels were 90 be
examined by a board Of commissioners before they
could be- employed in those capacities in merchant
ships. ff they slogll be enabled to undergo the
ordeal without being scathed and by their replies
10 inenogatories prove that they were good sailors
and acquainted wilh navigation, certificate 10
that effect would he awarded them but If ihsy
should fail 10 make satisfactory replies to fhe search
ing questions ofths nqusitora bureau, all chances
of preferment OF employment would beat an end
Il is doubtless hishly important that snip owners
and Underwriters Should b. 4hefeHghly satisfied or
the competency OF every officer employed ON board
vessels in which they may be iIitefested-hut there
are surely other means, and far more efficient ones
than the one referred 10, by which they anohiajn
that information; public examination by board
appointed ior the purpose is BY meaIis the best
mode OF testing The merits Of a sailor.
Itwould be curious and Interesting 10 an s. old
salt 10 be present al some OF those examinations.
He would doubtless there find some food or resc-
ton, and great deal Of food fof fpn Many Of the
| Johnny Raws, when proposed, would give queer
replies 10 the questions put TO them. Others, We
| can imagine, would answer with degrees Of pert
ness not always eommendabe, and some, perhaps,
would make desperate attempts az viii, and strive
to retreat with honor from their perilous position
/ under cover of joke, An examination, under GER
| - ~~--~-Nr- - -
ner like the following:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Question. How would you scud u ship under
| bare poles in gale Of wind
Ansper.-I should get the fore and main yards
a-cock bi-rig in the Iibboom-put The lielTn hard
up-ash the cook and steward TO the taffere, with
their heads clean shaven, and let her go. That is
what call scudding ship under bare poles.
Q.-When scuddiBg under bare poles in a hurri
cane, how would you go 10 work to bring the shiE
10 the wind and lay her tor
1 Al would cut away The mizenmast-take q
good swig at the manbrsce--lash the helm hart
a-port, and call all hands TO give three cheers!
i ,Q-Very well, indeed. Can you pudden ar
anchor, or CANNON bowspriIl
A.-No-butI can dispose Of pudding or stow
| away CANNON of bacon with any old salt whi
| ever turned quid +
! Q.-Under what circumstances should you con
| slider it necessary TO box-haui ship, and how
| would you dot
A.-This should be done only on the approach O
a thunder sqnall, and it is a delicate manRuvre
Sway up Tie spanker peak and lash The boom
| mdships-let fly The jib-sheets-square The fore
and main yards, the lifts and braees--send stout
| hand aloft 10 loose the main royal-iam the helm
a-lee--and let the thunder gust come. Yon will
soon find yourself in a bad box-aud this is called
| bnx-hauling.
Q.-Can you work a mousng. man fashion, on
the collar of the main stay
| Alan notso certain oflhat--but can clap a
/
Q.-How do You heaye a ship in siaysl
A.-0rder every man to his station-tle cook to
| the foresheets, and the boaiswein 10 dance horn
pipe on the capstanhead--and when the skippei
sings out Hard a,iee, let every man shout viii
all the strength of his lungs, Let go and haul =
Q-Can you clear ships lawse when there i
| a round turn in the cabesl
Al dare say can-and what is more, car
ride a Flemish horse without saddle, martiDgal
stirrtIp or bride.
| Ca aflkx IN ntVfrL fra,,a 2
A--Yes, Tom Cox's trayerse--up one hatcll,say
and down the other.
| GLOW do you perform the evolution Of clut
| hauling
/ eA.--Hosi the broad pennant al the jhboon end
and sway up the cabin boy 10 the end Of the fore
| top-mast studdng-sai boom; cut away the bes
bower anchor and knork down wilh HEAVIER ihe
FIRST man you can hit. That is what is meant clul
hauling.
Odd YOU ever see a pumpkin on board shiE
A-Yes, Jonathan Flail, on board the baTk Pow.
| derhorn. Both sides OF his cheeks were as smooth
as the palm Of my hand.
| Q-How would You manage TO raise a breeze
when il was dead calml
4 A.-Put all hands on half allowance and Sc
them at work sciaping the topmasis and cleaning
the ships bottom without allowing them even
dogs watch. If that does not raise a breeze, whs
tie :" Hey, Betty Martin, iiptoe- ye, until yeu SCI
4 a cats paw stretching across the water.
1 Q.-Who has the hardest time on board Of
| ship at sea.
i A The " sweet little eherub'' that keeps watcl
while sitting up aiott
4 Q,--Who has the hardest time in port
4 A.-The little nun buoy, who keeps watehin
the anchor, and is relieved except 10 be bIed
Q-Why is ship like hen!
A.-Beeause she often keeps eaekliug.
Q'--Why is d ship like well-bred Frenehman
A.-Beeause she prides herself on her graceful
Q-Why is a shin like a comet