The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-19
SALT WATER ETIQUETTE.
Punctiliousness Seen Between Sims,
Big and Little, at Sea.

Punctiliousness as Seen Between Sims,
Big and Little, ut Sea.
The Atlantic ocean is strcakcd from one
side to the other with the long, black.
trailing smoke plumes of the big, rushing
record brcakers'' and ocean grew
hounds, and few IRE left of the gallant
old white winged craft that carried tho
flag and the fame of the nation to every
part CT the world, save some scattering
oil sieds' which the sailors, or to speak
moro correctly, the dcckhands OH the liners
contenptuously refer to rs wind lam
mcrs." Here and there, however, will be
seen an occasional East Indian scmiclip-
per, either bound out TO China or the East
ihnies, loaded with case oil, or coming
home with cargo of hemp, jute, linseed,
rattan or some other of the fragrant and
valuable products of the gorgeous east.
But through all the changes in the size
and rig of vessels, through all the vicissi-
tudes OF life on the ocean wave, the cap
tain OF ship, be it big or little, is, rs a
rule, as punc,lious in the matter of ETH
Quctte as II Spanish grandcc.
Aud the etiquette of the sen is n wonder
full thing. A hail from little 75-ton "fore
and after" will be answered with us much
regard for the pcopricties by the East India
snip OF 3,vO tons as it would he by one of
It's own size, and when the big shin has
pccn run through storm and fog by dumb
luck and dead rcckoning," the appearance
oil the little one is hailed with delight. as
aIoriing means of rectifying possible
errors III reckoning. An instance of this
Kind occurred OH Cape Cod n short time
ago, When the captain of Il ship with a
valuable cargo and n crew of twenty five
men, rs the fog lifted about noon of tho
seventh consecutive day without an OBJ
n l.;
little ''coriwood coastcr" creeping along
under muinsail and jib, with her skipper
at the wheel and her crew Zone MANI vigor-
ousiy hauling away Mt the jib sheet
snip alloy" roarcd the skipper
Back from the deck way above him came
the answering call, "Ahoy there"
Where ye FROM" was the next question.
Calcutta. bound for Boston," was the
reply.
What's yer cargos"
"Linseed, spice and jute butts"
How long ye bin outs"
"Onc hundred and sixty days"
"Gosh! said the skipper, and then came
the chance of the big ships captain.
Schooner ahoyv' came down from the
deck of the Lime juicer"
Alloy there" went back the answer.
WHAT'S your lOngitudef"
The skipper knew where he was and tho
master of the Calcutta ship was uncertain
go when the answer was given he was
much relieved, for it showed that he was
nearer home than he had reckoned. But
he was going to have his talk out any way.
and although the little fellow hnd his lib
to windwar'l lie roared out:
where you froms"
Gloucester, bound for New Bedford"
Whats your cargoP"
"ROckS md bilre wnt or moctlyu
How long you been out?"
The skipper was stung by the sarcasm o.
the question, and with look of scorn at
the big ship beloved out: "Bin out all
night. by thunder, and wish l hadn't.
Draw away your jib!" and the sheet block
went over to the lee rail with bang, the
sail filled, and the lust the Indiaman heard
of The schooner WAS the skipper's sbout
from the stern OF his boat, aye think ye're
darn smart, don't We, jest cause ye're bigl''
New York Tribune