The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-16

with the assistance OF some OF the older
men who are quick at licking new mar
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 boat. in which
he is TO pull specified oar; and he prac-
tees rowing until he can feather ana pull
strong stroke without crab-catching.
After month or six weeks of studying
the school of the sailor, the new man is fit
for general duties aboard ship. But there
Is much about reeiing, steering. knotting.
work which he has to pick up in odd hours
and he Is fortunate IL he understands
rating at the end of his three years cruise.
The sailors life is a busy one. Here IS his
days routine: lie turns out at 500 O'Clock
in the morning and lashes and slows his
hammock in seven minutes. Then he eats
a continental breakfast-a cup of coffee,
roll. After this he scrubs his clothing or he
cleans ship-sometimes the former, but al
ways the latter. The ships deck must be
kept as clean as sand and water will make
scrubbed. Every day, too, a detail of side
cleaners" goes over the paint on the out
side of the ship and makes it clean.
At o'clock the regular breakfast call IS
sounded. An hour is given to each meal.
and in what part of his hour he is not eat
ing, Jack can do as he likes
After breakfast, which is always SUD-
stantial meal. Jack, who has been working
in his suit of white, puts on his blue uni-
form and appears in It at sick call; Ini l
call is for those who have slight ailments.
who are examined by the surgeon and pre-
scribed for and sent to the hospital.
tba ii bre S,fA vort Of the bje gun and the
small arms until $3.50. when the whole crew
is called to order for inspection by the cap
tain. At this inspection any sailor who has
a grievance may voice ii to the captain and
be sure of hearing and of fair treatment
After the inspection, there is drill for a
half hour or more 1t may run up 10 an
hour and a half, and if the captains break
fast diSagreeS with him, 1t is quite llkeiy 10
be the longer period. brutality IN the navy navy
they are nearly dead from exhaustion; ana
a captain who overworks his men can usu-
ally be told by the number or deseruonss
trom his ship.
arms the dinner call is sounded at II
o'clock. An hour later the men may pc
ordered to man the boats. Some OF them
NAV be put at repair work. which is al
ways going ON aboard ship, or at other
duties There is always plenty TO Keep
them busy till o'clock. when the cupper
call is sounded. AT the men are called
to evening quarters, when everything. Is
examined to see that it is secure Tor the
Then the sailors sling their hammocks
and for the intervening time until = CLOCK
they may amuse themselves as they like.
Some of them spend the time IN playing
cards some in athletic games, some with
concertina. or violin, some in smoking ana
EARNING" The sailor is great talker anu
he seems to have as much to say at the
end of his three years terms as ne n "a a; at
the beginning. In this particular he is dlf-
ferent from the officers in the wardroom,
who get heartily tired of each other before
a cruise is ended
Jack is not only a great talker, but
great eater and in many cases q GOOD
share OF his SIG month goes for food to
supplement his regular rations. The ration
is reckoned at 30 cents day and it consists
of good. substantial food in what a lands
man ashore would consider liberal GUAM
tity Under the regulations fresh meat ana
fruit cannot be served oftener than four
times a week unless ordered by the surgeon,
but this is no privation, for the old tar, ac-
customed to a diet of hard tack and salt
Junk, often complains if he is forced to
eat soft bread and fresh meat.
On all ships some of the rations are COM
muted-that is, drawn in money. At one
time it was in the discretion of the captain
to commute any of the sailors rations. but
the regulations now limit communications to
one-fourth of the whole number, and re-
quire that the fresh food bought with this
Communication money shall be served to all.
When the ship is in port the sailor fares
almost as well as the recruits on the re-
ceiving ship.