The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-04-13
TWO ROYAL MlDDIEs.
Some "reminiscences of the Wales Boys
When They Were Afloat.

A gentleman whose office is in
Pine street fire insurance company of
this city, says the N. Y. Times, was
shipmate of the late duke of Clarence
and of his brother, Prince George, on
board her majesty's ship Britannia.
He has clear remembrance of the
day they joined the ship, and of their
reception by their felloW-middies. In
speaking of that event recently he said:
"At 3:15 Jan, IS, 1877, on board her
majesty's ship Britannia, training-ship
for gentlemen cadets, stationed at
Dartmouth, Devon, the bugler sound
ed quarters and all Rands, in full uni
form, were mustered to receive the
two newly appointed cadets, the royal
princes. Capt. Fairfax, commanding,
was standing at the head of the gang
way with the first lieutenant, in full
dress, and as the steam pinnace came
alongside, the ships band struck up
Goo Bless the Prince of Wales
"Capt. Fairfax, having introduced
each of the wardroom officers and all
the instructors to their royal high
nesses, sang out Attention! by your
right, dress; eyes front! Gentlemen
cadets of her majesty's ship Britannia,
| now collectively present you to your
new shipmates, their royal highnesses
Prince Albert Victor and Prince George
of Wales, with whom | will now leave
you. Two PAGES forward, right about,
turn, dismiss!"
"Then began all the usual boyish
chaff, or running as l believe it is
called at Annapolis, followed by the
task of showing our new shipmates
over the ship. As soon as they reach
ed the upper deck the senior cadet
captain said to them: Mates, it is an
old custom that each new on joining
shall go aloft over the futtocks, avoid
ing the lubber's hole as he would the
bottomless pit. Which of you two will
be over frst?' So over the futtocks
and down again went the two princes,
finally joining in a game of swing the
monkey until the bugle sounded for
cadets to put on mess uniform for tea.
cat the sound of the bugle call two
venerable family retainers advanced
to our new shipmates, with every out
ward sign of civilian respect, but no
nautical tug of the forelock, to inform
them that their mess uniform was pre-
pared. A shrill voice called out:
"'Who are your ancient chums,
Walesg'
"'Why, don't you see, some other
wit replied, 'one is the wet nurse and
the other the dry nurse
"The main differences between the
Waleses and the other cadets was,
that instead of sleeping in hammocks
they had large cabins knocked up for
them on the main deck-sleeping, din
ing, and working rooms being pro-
vided. They also had special tutor,
who was appointed naval instructor,
the Rev. J. n. Dalton, who afterward
accompanied them in her majesty's
ship Bacchante in their voyage around
the world.
"a favorite cadet joke was to gel
Prince Eddie to stroke a pleasure
boat and when the coxswain allowed
an easy all some one would say
Wales, when you are indeed my ruler
| would very much like it if you would
make me duke
"'Make you a duke, you swab, II
make you shoeblack.'
sHe would then be taken by the leg
and ducked till he agreed and gave hi
royal word of honor that each mem
ber of the boats crew should be duk,
when he came to the throne.
J although without the high spirits o
his younger brother, sweeter tenn
pered and more unassuming cade
was never entered in the books of he
maiesty's ship Britannia, and thos
: characteristics he always retained
} The last time I saw him was in 1888
, when he was serving as a captain il
the Tenth hussars at York, and CAV
, me the same cordial greeting that h
, always had given ten years before
when we were brother cadets.
"a time-honored custom on boart
the Britannia is that cadets in thei
first term shall fag' for cadets in thei
third and fouth terms, and that cadet
in their second term shall 'fag' for thos
; in the fourth or final term. This rul
! was in no way abated with the Vale
boys, and have seen them on severs
! occasions hauling cadet of the nece:
sary seniority up the hill to the cricke
field on broiling day, with the pei
, spiration rolling down their roys
! brows. 1t was good discipline"