Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-08-09
UNCLE SAINTS SEAMEN.

new men for the service. The rate
at which the White Squadron has
been and is being strengthened of
late has brought this fact into especl-
al prominence, and the enrolment OF
seamen and marines for the new yes
sells is a task of the highest import
ance 1t has been stated from time
to time that good men were difficult
to secure for the hundreds of places
created, that the class who would be
desirable recruits did not show an
overwhelming eagerness to become
men of wars men.
The writer has never had occasion
to meet with a man who appeared
more thoroughly contented than did
an old gunner's mate seem not long
ago on board the New York. His af-
lection for the ship and his pride in
her good qualities were delightful
things to see. He had spent his life
in the navy, had served through war
and peace, and had nothing but good
words for his officers and his treat
ment Yet the place of gunner's
mate would not be regarded by many
men as the pick of the work aboard
ship.
The first incident of Importance in
the daily routine is the call to
"uuarters" at $3.50 for the regular
morning inspection and drill. At in
spection each mans clothing comes
under the officers scrutiny, and his
general appearance is criticised if
necessary Ample opportunities and
facilities are given to the crew for
the making, mending and washing of
their clothes, SO that man who does
not keep himself neat has no excuse
for it but his own laziness.
The washing, blythe way, is most
impressive function which takes
place every Monday morning. No
one is excused from answering the
boatswain's whistle, which summons
to this task except the men in the
engine room, who naturally cannot
drop their work to rush to the call.
They must arrange, however, with
obliging comrades, so that the cleans
ing of their garments may take place
Just the same. The manner of per-
forming the washing would no doubt
be regarded by ordinary house
keepers with distrust. The gar
ments, with the exception of the
fannels, are laid upon the deck and
scrubbed with ''coya' brush, after
which they are rinsed in the buckets
or sluiced with water as they lie on
the deck.
The drill which follows Inspector
may be with any or all of the various
weapons of war. There is target
practice with the cannon and with
the small arms, and the sword exer-
else, at which the men are taught the
seven different styles of cuts which
may most effectively disable or kill.
The arrangement of the watches
throughout the day, four hours on
and four hours off, allows the men
more time to themselves than they
would receive if engaged in almost
any other occupation for which they
would be fitted.
Saturday afternoons and Sundays
are holiday times on board ship. To
be sure, a certain amount Of cleaning
up is required on those days, the ex-
tent of which depends largely upon
the captains strictness in this regard
and his desire for a ''spicK- and span"
vessel. 1t was doubtless service I'M
der some of the severer martinets
which gave rise to the old sailors
saying that Sunday is devoted to
'holystoning the deck and scraping
the cable"
Jacks chief amusement in his off
hours, after he has finished up any
necessary needlework which he may
have on hand, are reading, writing
letters home, playing cards or check
ers, and, above all, smoking.
The advantages attached to being
in one of the upper classes comes in
shape of additional privileges of
many kinds. If the ship is lying near
a port it means longer and more fire.
quent shore leave than is granted to
the men whose behavior has kept
them in the lower classes. It also
means a more liberal allowance of |
money at the end Of the month, foI,
as is perhaps not~generally under
stood, is is not customary to pay
wages to the crew at sea. Each mem
Der of the crew receives a small part |
Of his money on pay day-larger, as
we mentioned, according to his con-
duct rank-and thus has the main