New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
WHEN JACK "RIGS CHURCH."
HOW SUNDAY SERVICES ARE HELD ON
BOARD A UNITED STATES
MAN-OF-WA

When there is flying from the gait of a
United States man-ofwar n small. white tri-
angular pennant, bearing on its field blue
Greek cross near the pike or halyard. it is
signal that divine service is being held on board
rig church, is one Of the regular naval or
ders. issued usually at about 1870 on Sunday
morning Church is rugged" In various places
according 10 the construction of the vessel and
according to thc weather conditions. If the day
is fine and not too cold the quarterback will
probably be selected although in some ships il
Is customary to hold the service on the for
ward part Of the gundeck. In stormy weather
the berthdcck below is used. where the men
may he under shelter though they are more
Cramped for room.
Assuming that the service is to be held on the
quarterback the arrangements for it will pro-
coed about like this: When the bugler gives the
signal the church ensign is hoiscd To the gaff
and some Of the men. under the direction of an
officer bestir themselves hrskly in making the
simple preparations which are necessary. 4 ia
bic or desk. covered with the American flag is
placed at the end Of the quarterback for the
chaplain \ few wardroom chairs are brought
UP from below and ranged along the starboard
side. where the officers are to assemble. and
benches or capstan bars resting On buckets
organ-for every ship that has a chaplain is pro
yided with an instrument Of this naturr-is put
in a convenient place. II there is band. ard its
services are desired a few musicians arr selected
and stationed near by Then the ships hell is
tolied for abou, five minutes. giving The officers
and men. wherever they may be on board. suiii-
cient tim. To assemble If they are 50 inclined
The boatswan may call down the hatchways
Silence. fore and aft. during divine service
but il is well UNDERSTOOD 10y the entire crew that
the shin must be quiet now for about three
quarters OF an hour. Finally the bell stops. the
captain after a glance around. makes i sign
to the, chaiain that all is ready. and the service
begins.
How it is conducted dep ,nds upon he Il 'nom-
nation to which the chaplain belongs. and vari-
Gus sects are represented among the naNa4
clercymcn The singing. accompanied by the
organ. which is played either by an officer ~
by some musician among the crew. is gcn"ra"y
fine The men enjoy it. and their voices ring
out strong and fresh in the open air during
the prayers they required to r"in"N" 'h'it
cans hut throughout the rest of the service they
may remain covered. When 1t is over. tn" or
der TO Pipe down." is given. and church Is
"unrigged" Sometimes an evening servic" is
also held but this Is not the general custom.
Attendance at church on the WN"Hi!S H. 81
course not compulsory. but the officers are ex-
nect.d To attend by way of furnishing an ex
annie and most Of them usually do. accom-
panied by perhaps about half TN" ere" some
fines more and sometimes less But by n"
means all the ships Of the Navy ar" provided
with chaplains For the fifty or sixty war YES
se,s NOW effective for service. there ar" twenty
four chaplains or less than oI.c FOR every two
alta
most important vessels where their ministra-
,iops NAV reach the greatest number " persons
queer incidcn, happened r." years ago
whom one # thu modern cruisers was pui mi"
commission /, had been intended mat sh"
sho,ld carry a chaplain. but when III oni'"fS
ouari.rs were completed IT vas found lhat ms
roorn had been entirely overlooked. No accom-
rnndatiou for him thus being available. IN" snip
MI, 10 sea without a chaplain. and did not nave
one for AZ least two years. In an acton me
chatlaIn's duties are with the SICK ana "'u'u-
ed Occasionally. however. his ara mas prem r.
ouircd Al The guns. and in many instan'' 'h'
cha,f,ius have proved themselves h"rD.c HShi-
ers a. well as good preachers In IN" "Ih ndy9
OF The Navy the chaplain wore tn" IA" tH'i''"'
Of his rauk-lieutenani. Heutrnant-coHi"and'r
or co,nfuander- but il H. now customary i'i MN
IN wear i suit OF black. or the regular costume
OF whatever church he represents sometime"
with tn insignia II his rank upon MS S''''''