The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-02
nook OF CAPT. JOHN SMITH.
Nautical Lore First Printed in English b
P~Ocnhontns,a Friend.

~Pocnhontns'a Friend.
Capt. John Smith. who is remembered by
Americans chiefly as a pioneer In Virginia. and
for his romantic adventure. said to be myth
cal. with Pocahontas. the dusky daughter Of
Powhatan. wrote the first book on seamanship
and naval gunnery ever printed In the English
language. 1t was published in 1925. and en-
tered in Stationers' Hall. London. as "a new
departure In our literature" The little book Is
rare. and Is to-day worth many times its weight
in gold. 1t is entitled "Seaman's Grammar"
There is a copy OF It in the Navy Department
library at Washington. which embraces every
thing nautical and naval from the stranding Of
Noah's ark to the launching Of the latest battle
ship. The old skipper recently looked overthe
unique volume at Washington and made a few
notes about 1t. He said:
John Smith was atypicallEnglish adventurer
OF his time. and IN extensive traveller by land
and SEQ. He spent the several years before his
death. in 1887. in recording his exploits. His
nautical brochure. rs he says in its preface,
was written to briefly show the phrases,
offices and words OF command belonging to the
building. rigging and sailing Of a man-of-war.
The title page of his essay reads: An Acct
dence. or the Pathways TO Experience Neces-
sary for All Young Seamen.'
THE fighting ship Of those days was es-
Y " AAfANeA bhAhAA e' AAANg ~ SNNA ~
his description OF the various officers aboard
OF her:
Captains charge is to command all and
tell the Master to what port he will 60. In a
fight he is to give directions for the managing
thereof. and the Master is to see to the coming
Of the ship and the trimming OF the sails.
Lieutenant is to associate with the Cap
tain. and in his absence to execute his place.
He is to see that the Marshall and the Corporal
do their duties and assist hem In instructinR
the soldiers. In a fight the forecastle is his
place. as the Captain is on the half deck and
the Quartermasters amidships.
Marshall is to punish all offenders and see
justice executed according to directions. as
ducking at yards arm. hauling under the keel.
bound to the .capstern or malnmast with a
basket OF shot around hiS neck. setting in the
bilbowes and to, pay the Cobtie Ito cob. or fog
""!Saiiors are the ancient men for hauling the
sails, getting the tacks aboard. hauling the
bowlines, and steering the ship. Yonkers are
the young men called Foremost men to take in
mainsail. bowsing or trysing., and take their
turn at the helm: Liar Is to hold his place but
IS SO g p Mssfi nnS hS It th tSe is M f11ss 3ase ev Sl,h M Z he
He is made the swabber. and only to keep clean
the breakhead and chains
pay Is most commonly from the Adventures
and the Sailors: so also is the ChirurGion
b pihilological value Of Capt. Smiths
'Accidence' to nautical scholars is obvious.
For the ediflcation of young seamen, Smith re-
cites the naval nomenclature OF his day. which.
with one or two exceptions: is Identical Ssntiica with
ships bow. which Is bounded by, the incline OF
her stem. was then designated ns the fore
old-time. poetic fore reach OF, the sailor with
fore rake The sailor has always personfled
stsr sh 10 9 nafe! '9 are the %et S9E rs as F soGRra S1a 'n as
anything in the language.
Great ships had in those days two mi7zen-
'bonaSenture mizzen.' The old -time head rig.
as Smith recites it; was the boule-sprit. the
yysIi y; saS S'! 4hs ts 1SRpRs eSs 1@S s va eos so eSS5
y Were 20 invented then Gables. when they
sre too . short 9d.S fnS0 . s one int t3 t thSii ot asbjie' says ss
tween shackles. Is called a shot Ho tells the
young seaman. ,starbo,ard is the right hand
book: 'starbonrl your helmi Right your
nsarer 4 lR2sis' fu Kfifiefr dyr 9tqPF w !2afsi f lBsas u nP
the helm! Go r%oyingl,, b. you at the helm! A
tIsss %sn 1 at the i6 esdlmr . MGst q t and fBf IL yes;
are old English terms for beware and be
quick, Port meant IN Capt III Smiths time nc &c
Port SSTt" was NOT reSogniSed by the British Navy a
a steering Or coming term until ls45; olthogGh
but only when sailing before the wind,
After a hard gale. when the ship has been
living TO. and fair weather comes. here Is Capt
Smiths formula: Set your foresaill, Out witt
AL your sail! Get your larboard tacks aboard
ship is sailing with a fair quartering bEGeze
The coming orders may be: q o large, Ware
cal term that has been lost, Il means to sal
with tho Wind about 45, abaft the 6Sam
sided and spews her oakum were used H.
Smiths time, but laying by the lee and
weather coiling.' which, he gives as correc!
lingo with the topeallant spritsail."