Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-01
WowsHIp ON WARsHIPs.

How uoc,e SAM, sniIors Attend to Re-
Iigious DUTIES While aboard Their
Vessels.
When there is seen flying from the
gaff of United States man-of-war
small, white triangular pennant, bearing
ON its field blue Greek cross near the
pike or halyard, 1t Is a signal that divine
service is being held on board. "Rig
church ~ is one Of the regular naval
orders, issued usually at about 1890 on
Sunday morning.
Church is "rigged" in various places,
according to the construction of the
vessels and according to the weather con-
ditions. If the day is fine and not too
cold the quarter deck will probably be
selected although on some ships it is Gus
tomary to hold the services on the for
ward part of the gun deck. In stormy
weather the berth deck below is used,
where the men may be under shelter,
though they are more cramped for room.
Assuming that the service is to be held
on deck, the arrangements for 1t will pro-
coed about like this: When the bugler
gives the signal the church ensign" is
hoisted to the gait, and some OF the men,
under the direction of an officer, bestir
themselves briskly In making the simple
preparations which are necessary.
A table or desk, covered with the
American flag is placed at the end OF
the quarterback for the chaplain. A.
few wardroom chairs are brought up
from below and ranged along the star
board side, where the officers are to as
semble, and benches or capstan bars rest
ing on buckets make seats for the crew
on the port side.
Tho organ-for every ship that has a
chaplain is provided with an instrument
of this nature-is put up in convenient
place. If there is band, and its SER
Vices are needed, few musicians are
selected and stationed nearby. Then the
ships bell is toled for about five minutes,
giving the officers and men, wherever
they may be on board, sufficient time to
assemble, If they are SO inclined.
The boatswain may call down the
hatchways: "Silence, fore and aft,
during divine service !" but 1t is we'll
understood by The entire crew that the
ship must be quiet now for about three
quarters Of an hour. Finally the bell
stops, the captain, after glance around,
makes sign TO the chaplain that all 10
ready and the service begins.
How IL Is conducted depends upon the
denomination to which the chaplain be-
longs and various sects are represented
among the naval clergymen. The sing
ing, accompanied by the organ, which
| Is played either by an officer or by some
musician among the crew, Is generally
fine. The men enjoy it, and their voices
ring out strong and fresh in the open
air. #
During the prayers they are required
to remove their caps, but throughout the
rest of the service they may remain coy
cred. When II Is over the order to "Pipe
down." is given and church is "un.
rigged." Sometimes an evening service
is also held, but this is not the general
custom. Aa
Attendance at church on the warships
is of course not compulsory, but the off.
GERS are expected to attend by way oil
furnishing an example, and most of them
usually do, accompanied by perhaps
| about half the crew-sometimes more and
sometimes less.
But by no means all the ships of the
navy are provided with chaplains. Fol
the go or more war vessels now effective
for service there are fewer than 80 chap
lains, or less than one for every two
ships. They are attached to the largest
and most important vessels, where theii
ministrations may reach the Creates
number of persons.
A queer incident happened few year.
ago, when one of the modern cruiser
was put into commission. II had beer
intended that she.should carry chaplain
but when the officers quarters were com
pseted IL was found that his room hat
been entirely overlooked. No accomno
dation for him thus being available, tn,
ship put TO sea without chaplain ant
did not have one for at least two yeLrs.
In an action the chapiain's duties ar,
with the sick and wounded. Occasion
ally, however, his aid has been require,
at the guns and in many instances th
chaplains have proved themselves heroi
fighters as well as good preachers. Ii
the old days of the navy the chaplain
! wore the full uniform of his rank-lieu
tenant, eutenant.commander, or com
vanderbilt it is now customary for hin
to wear SUIT of black or the regulation
costume of whatever church he repre-
sents, sometimes with the insignia of hi
rank upon his sleeves.
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