The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-20
THE SHIPS WRITER.
ONCE AN INDIVIDUAL OF I'M
PORTANCE.
The Autocratic Position OF an Official
Whose Salary Has Recently
Been Reduced.

emoluments of the enlisted men in the
United States navy, says the New York
Times, shows some very interesting
things. Among others it illustrates
how the mighty have fallen Time
was when that person known as 'ship's
writer" was man of considerable impor-
lance on shipboard and one whose
worth received recognition in a high
rate of pay. To the crew the first lieu
tenant is regarded as the power behind
the throne, but in many cases his writer
was power that was greater than the
throne itself
The first lieutenant of a man of-war
is a man who has nothing to do in life
except to attend to everything When
he secures the services Of an efficient
writer he generally relegates to that in
dividual everything concerning the inter
nal economy of the ship which he does
not care to be bothered with himself
The men have to be stationed at the
battery, crews for the different boats
selected, fire bill arranged and every
man of the crew informed as to what is
his special duty at every evolution.
The bluejacket, when he is trans
ferred from one ship to another does
dot leave his character behind. Every
thing that he has done or left undone
is inscribed upon his papers, and these
records are placed with the Writer,
Armed with this knowledge of the
character of each member of the crew,
to that individual was generally rele
gated the authority to shift men from
one part of the ship to another and to
station them as to his judgment was
best. 1t was frequently his function to
decide upon their capabilities as petty
officers, and as rule the matter of
''liberty," the most important of all in
the estimation of the bluejacket, came
under his control.
The monthly acquisitions for money
are made out by him, and it was a part
of his duty to see that none of the men
obtained more than their conduct en-
titled them to. The pay of all those
who serve in the navy is, Of course, reg
ulated by higher authority, but the
commanding officer Of ship always
lays down certain rules which must be
observed by the men if they want to
draw from the paymaster their full
monthly allowance.
Nearly every man-of wars-man has
some Renaissance to relate of the
Writers with whom he has served.
One of these tells of how an ancient
bluejacket once presented himself, cap
in hand, at the Writer'S office. That
individual, it appears, was busy at the
time, and after an Intellectual attempt
to gain hearing the man went forward.
He made another effort and again fail
ed. A third time he tried it, only to
be sharply told by the Writer to 60
forward, as he did not have time to
talk to him.
He only went as far forward as the
mainmast, the place where all griev-
ances on the part of the crew are car
ried. The officer of the watch, who
was silently pacing the quarterback,
soon observed the quiet figure standing
at attention near the mast, and on ap.
preaching him, asked what was the
trouble.
81 would like to speak to the first
lieutenant" said the man, carrying his
hand to his cap.
"What do you want to speak to the
first lieutenant about ?" inquired the
officer, somewhat nettled that the ma
ture of the complaint had not been
disclosed to him.
swell, sir, it is an important matter
and l would like to see the executive
personally about it."
The officer hesitated a moment, and
then, remembering that the many reg.
ulations provide that no audience with
the executive officer must be denied,
stalked off, knocked on the door of the
executive, and told him there was a
man at the mast who wished to see
him. The executive walked forward
and, after returning the salute of the
man, was astonished to learn that he
simply wanted his permission to speak
to the captain.
"What in the name of creation dc
you want to see the captain about ?" ask
ed the dumfounded officer as he hastily
recalled the punishments he had caused
to be inflicted without his superior's
authority.
"Oh, it's merely private matter
sir" was the reassuring response, "but
it is very important one to me, and l
would like to speak to the captain
about it."
"But can't l settle it ?" asked the ex
ecutive, after satisfying himself that he
had not exceeded his authority and
wishing to save his commander annoy
ance Tell me what's the trouble anc
l will lay the case before him."
"No, sir" persisted the man; &c.
want to see the captain personally"
After that there was nothing more TO
the executive to do but to send tn,
orderly to the captain with the message
that there was a man at the mast who
wanted to speak to him. 1t was ar
unusual request, and that officer did no
know what to make of it. However
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