The morning call., 1893-04-09
THE SHIPS WRITER
Once an Individual of Inn
portanCe.
The Autocratic Position of an Off
cial Whose Salary Has Recently
Been Reduced.

ments 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 consider
able Importance on shipbOard and one
whose worth received recognition In high
rate Of pay. To the crew the first lieuten-
ant is regarded as the power behind the
throne, but in many cases his writer was q
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 tc
attend to everything. When he secures the
services II an eflici ent writer he generally
relegates TO that individual everything con-
cernng the internal economy of the ship
which he does not care to be bothered with
himself. The men have to be stationed al
the battery, crews for the different boats
selected, fire bill arranged and every man
OF tne crew informed as to what is his
special duty at every evolution.
The OluejaCket, when he is transferred
fIOm one ship to another, does not leave his
character behind. Everything 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 charac-
ter of each member of the crew, to that in
dividual was generally Telegated the author
ity TO shift men from one part OF the ship 10
another and TO station them as in his judy
ment was best. 1t was frequently his
function to decide upon their capabilities as
petty officers, and as a 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 hun. and it was 4 part of his
II n that 0f tha obtained
more than their conduct entitled them to.
The pay of ali those who serve in the navy
is, of course. regulated by higher author
ity. but the commanding officer of ship
always lays down certain rules which must
be observed by the men il they want 20
draw from the paymaster their full monthly
allowance.
Nearly every man-of-war's man has some
"reminiscences 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, 1t appears, was busy at the
time, and after an Intellectual attempt 10
gain hearing the man went forward. He
made another effort and again failed. a
third time he tried it, only 10 be sharply
told By the Writer to go forward. as he did
not have time to talk 10 him.
He only went as far forward as che main
mas. the place where all grievances on the
part of the crew are carried. The officer of
. Inc WdlCUt VINO was silently pacing the
quarterback, soon observed the quiet figure
standing at attention near the mast, and on
approaching him. asked what was the
trouble.
Il would like to speak to the first lieuten-
ant, said the man, carrying his hand to his
cap;
lieutenant ab0ut?' inquired the officer,
somewhat nettled that the nature of the
complaint had not been disclosed 10 him.
We'll. sir, it IS an important matter. and
/ would like TO see the executive person.
ally abou, IL"
The officer hesitated a moment and then,
remembering that the army regulations pro-
vide 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 MIN. 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 cap
tain.
want to see the captain abOut?' asked the
dumfounded officer as he hastily recalled
tie punishments he had caused 10 be in
hicted without his superior's authority.
"Oh, IFS merely private matter, sir"
was the Teassuri1g response, but it is a
very impo rtant one to me, and / would like
to speak to the captain a bout it,"
But can't settle ltP" asked the exeeu-
tive, alter satisfying him elf that he bad not
exceeded his authority and wishing TO save
his commander annoyance. Tell me what's
the trouble and | will lay the case before
him"
"No. SIR" persisted the man; "I want to
see the captain personally"
After that there was nothing more for
the executive to do but to send the orderly
to the captain with the message that there
was man at the mast who wanted 20 speak
to him. 1t was an unusual request, and
that officer did not know what to make of
II. However, lie came out of the cabin and
walked TO the mast. accompanied by the
executive and the officer of the deck.
what is 1t you want, my mau?" he in
CURED, as the seaman carried his hand to
his cap.
III you please, sir" replied the latter. 81
would like your permission to speak to the
admiral"
What the deuoe-what doyou want to see
the admiral aboutP gasped the astonished
commander.
Wen, sir, 1t is an important matter, and
he IS the only man who can decide it, and [
ask your permission to speak 10 him."
The trio Of officers paced the quarterback
in silence Tor few minutes. What the man
wanted none OF them could imagine. The
captain said he had never heard of such a
request being made before. and the officer
OF the deck, fresh from the Naval Academy,
admitted that he never had either. After
Hedllu NOW the man naQ gone through the
regular and prescribed channels to gain an
audience with the admiral the captain con-
cluded that it was best TO notify the admiral
That there was Il man at the mast who had
sked to speak 10 BIN.
Admlrals are not easily accessible. and
the request WAS such a singular one to come
from such n source that the admiral con
hardly credit II when the orderly delivered
the message. The captain was sentfor hut
he assured his superior that the man was
not crazy, and that he made formal re-
quest to speak 10 him. No. he could not
say what he wanted to see him about, The
man seemed to think that it was a matter
OF such Importance that only the admiral
should hear it.
The gray-bearded officer arose from his
chair. donned bis uniform-for it would n OF
DO for him to appear upon the deck of his
1lagshIp except In the prescribed uniform of
the day-and then, after drawing on his
groves, ne sent word to the captain that he
was ready to see the man. The captain
came on deck, and, accompanied by the first
lieutenant and officer of the deck, the two
proceeded to the mast, where the figure of
the seaman was outlined against group of
MS wondering companions, who had assem-
Dleu IN the gangway, curious to know what
ii all meant.
We'll, sir, what's the trouble with you ?''
asked the admiral as the man touched his
cap and stood at attention.
..r III you please. sir" REPLIED the seaman,
would like your permission to speak to
the ships writer"
The result of the interview the legend
does not tell But it is melancholy to note
In the new navy pay table that the services
Oh the individual with whom the story deals
are now valued only at S35 month.