Evening star., 1900-08-18


asleep. 1t does him good, and English
ship owners were the first to recognize it
American owners following suit In the con-
struction of the crews quarters, but with
out adopting the excellent apprentice sys-
tenn which makes it possible for an English
"gentleman's SON. to become a ships Of
ficer and remain gentleman.
The Ships Boy is Kept Busy.
But, though boy in an American ship is
immune from ill-treatment in the watch
beiow-except from the inevitable bully of
the boys room-he receives his full share
on deck while at work. He is usually of an
adventurous disposition he would not be
on board ship-and has obtained the berth
through the influence of family friends or
relatives. He is very often a close student
of THE Boy CAPTAIN" The Boy Mutt
neer," THE Boy Private and such heroes.
and goes on board with a great many
things to unlearn before his mind will be in
He may know in a general way the names
OF the masts. some of the sails and ropes
and a few of the ships appurtenances; but
he finds the knowledge of little avail
against his colossal ignorance of what is re-
quired of him, and until he learns through
cursings and bitter objurgatons. how to
Keep out of his own and the officers way
his life on deck Is miserable. He is not
even available for running errands for he
does not recognize the names of things he
is sent for. even when properly enunciated.
How can he, when nautical dictionary
contains a half of the nouns and phrases
IN common use at sea? What can he make
Hare, you. bo-o-y. Gwan down to the
laZer-hat n over m the wing YEN find an
caring. Bring it up" The order is in
tellible only to a sailor, who knows that the
lazerette is down aft abaft the cabin trnnk.
that 'over n the wing is over toward the
ships side, and that an earring ia a
fathom or two of strong rope with an eye
spliced in one end, used for reefing and for
'gill-guys."
But the boy starts off for some indefinite
place. with hazy idea Of earrings, birds
wings and hats suggested by the officers
pronunciation and must come back tram
blingly for instruction. And what must he
bring when sent for "bumpstone," to as
sist in securing paint work until he has
learned that pumice stone is wanted.
Things He Has to Learn,
While he is learning names and nouns
he is also learning to work-properly to
place his hands on a rope in pulling: how
to hold slack when the men do all the pull
ing; how to scrub and sweep decks to ad-
vantage; to scour brass work; to strike the
bell without risk of being called a sexton.
and-this Of the first and last Importance
10 answer quickly when spoken to- Unless
the officers are unusually considerate of his
bewihderment he is sent aloft with the men
When sail Is shortened-not to help for he
Is useless-to learn the feel Of a swaying
1ootrope, and the method of furline and
reefing Later. about the time the '.trades'
are reached. he Is earnestly and forcefulIy
instructed in advance and sent up to loose
ana Iur1 the m1zzen royal; and this becomes
his special task.
Since much of the repair and constructive
work aboard ship can only be done in fine
weather. all hands are kept at work in the
AFTERNOON while the ship is in trade-wind
waters. setting UP. rattling down and tar
ring rigging, scraping and painting masts
and blocks, and doing other work at which
a boy Is nearly useless; SO he is now taught
10 steer An Intelligent hOv "
tutored. may learn the compass In a few
lessons: but steering big ship with a
wheei higher than his head is hard work
Tor him, and many a dressing down does
ne receive before he can keep the fubbers
point on the compass bowl within half
point OF the course: even in the steady wind
and sea pressure of the trades
But when he can do this he may be per-
mitted to steer the whole of the four-hour
watch while the two rightful inc umbents
of the tricks are kept at work in the rig
ging. And on alternate days, when his
watch is the one that loses the afternoons
sleep, he may be permitted to eat his din
supper time This is a long time to keep
growing boy standing in one spot, forbid
den to lean back against the wheel box or
forward against the wheel. with body and
legs aching from inaction and arms aching
from fatigue; and when he has eaten his
supper and turned into his bunk he knows
the full meaning Of the word rest" and
appreciates to the utmost the heavenly con-
tent of a horizontal attitude It would be a
severe punishment for a strong man-this
nine-hour trick at the wheel; 1t is torture
to half-developed boy. But, should he
complain and ask for shorter trick he Will
receive little sympathy. for the officer who
listens and sneers is, or was. the excep-
tionally strong, hardy, muscular bow who
bore the experience easily when forced to
undergo 1t himself. and. instead of quitting
the life after one voyage-as most boys viii
remained at sea to become an officer
One Years Education.
within year-an average boy can hand
(furD, reef and xteer," the last-named ac-