The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-15

There is always a small shortage, due
to deaths and desertions. Each lands
man when he reports for duty. is as
signed to one of the four or five div
isions aboard the ship. He is taken
below, shown where to find his ham
mock and where to sling IL and the
locker in which to stow his clothing.
He gets ribbon with the name of the
ship which he puts on his cap and he is
ready for his duties.
DUTIES ABOARD SHIP.
These are simple at first. He assists
in coaling the ship. He Is assigned to
a place in a gun crew and he learns
all the duties at the gun, but particu-
larly those which are to fall to him. He
Is told to keep a certain part OF the big
gun clean. this being known as bright
| ening." He learns all the drills, includ-
ing those with side-arms, pistols and
broadswords. All this drilling and
breaking-in is done by the petty off,
| GERS, with the assistance of some of
| the older men who are quick at licking
! q new man into shape. 1t is not done
very gently and the new man is made
| to feel the rigor Of a severe discipline.
Then he is assigned to a boat, in
| which he is to pull a specified oar; and
| he practices rowing until he can feath-
er and pull a strong stroke without
| crab atching.
After month or six weeks of study
! ing the school of the sailor, the new
man is fit for general duties aboard
ship. But there is much about reefing
steering, knotting, splicing and the
| other details of sailors work which he
has to pick up in odd hours and he Is
| fortunate If he understands enough of
| 1t to take an ordinary Seaman'S rating
at the end OF his three years service.
ONE DAYS ROUTINE.
The sailors life is busy one. Here
| is his days routine: He turns out at
! $50 o'clock in the morning and lashes
and slows his hammock in seven min
utes. Then he eats a continental break
! fast-a cup of coffee, a roll After this
he scrubs his clothing or he cleans ship
sometimes the former, but always the
latter. The ships deck must be kept as
clean as sand and water will make it:
and every day the paint must be
| scrubbed Every day, too. a detail OF
side cleaners" goes over the paint on
the outside of the ship and makes 1t
| clean.
At o'clock the regular breakfast
| call is sounded An hour is given to
| each meal and in what part of this
hour he is not eating, Jack can do as
| he likes.
After breakfast. which is always a
| substantial meal, Jack, who has been
working in his suit of white, puts on
his blue uniform and appears in it at
sick call This call is for those who
have slight ailments who are examined
by the surgeon and prescribed for and
sent to the hospital.
After sick call, the sailor has to pol
ish the bright work of the big gun and
the small arms until $50. when the
| whole crew is called to order for in
spection by the captain. At this in
| spection any sailor who has a griev-
ance may voice it to the captain and
be sure of hearing and of fair treat
! ment
After the inspection. there is drill for
half hour or more. 1t may run up to
an hour and half, and il the captains
| breakfast disagrees with him. it Is quite
likely to be the longer period. Brutal
! ity in the navy now finds it's vent in
drilling the men until they are nearly
dead from exhaustion; and a captain
who overworks his men can usually be
told by the number of desertions from
his ship.
After gun drill, or drill with the
small arms. the dinner call is sounded