The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-23

W.T. ODERN naval architecture and
NNl the adoption of new methods for
AVN the regulation of ships and men
have not ohliterated old usaGes
and customs in the British navy. and ac-
cording to the opinion of a writer In the
London Mail. there will be big shaking
mp of dry bones in our navy when the next
great sea war happens. Not that there
Is any inefficency. lack of smartness or
unreadiness TO be feared. But until YOU
have served In one OF her majesty's ships
you can form no idea OF what con-
sentative institution THE British navy IS
AS it ever was 1t ever shall be- seems
10 be the cardinal point OF faith, while
Nelson and precedent are things to be
sworn by.
Though sail power and three deckers
are gone the impress of Nelson upon
naval routine is almost Is distinct as ever
The system Of issuing rations TO crews IL
much the same now as II was at Ira
falgar: imperfect. wretchedly unsatis-
factory In nearly every way to modern
ideas. vet according to precedent, and
therefore. the admiralty have but lust
taken steps to improve H. CAPTURING
ships by means of boarding parties has
disappeared from the probabilities OF
naval warfare yet in the British navy
boarding parties are still trained. Not.
mind YOU because they are expected 10
he of much use but because Nelson did
it,
Evening quarters Is another Nelson
survival but not mere aosurdity, ike
those above mentioned 1t was instituted
by the great admiral in order TO assure
himself that his gun crews were properly
filed 1t still remains only muster OF
the men held TO ascertain whether the
divisions, foretop, maintop, torecastle.
quarterback and marines are all cor
rect The names OF divisions are an
other survival for foretop and maintop
disappeared when steam displaced sail
power.
They Still Mourn for Nelson.
"A curious fact, not generally known. Is
that the black silk handkerchief which
Jack knots around his throat was first
worn as mourning for Nelson, and has ever
since been retained The three white
stripes around the broad blue collar OF
the sailors jumper commemorate the
victories OF Trafalgar, Copenhagen and
the Nile Thus the Nelson legend Affects
not only Jacks work but his food and
clothing as well. The broad blue collar
itself is Older than the great admiral II
was first adopted at that period when sail
ors plastered their hair into a stin pig
tail with grease and powder.
AT . o'clock each night the sentry In
every ship in harbor fires on his rife.
For the origin Of this custom we have to
look back to the day of fiintlocks. Then
in order to test the printing and see that
his weapon was in disable condition. the
sentry had to fire IL of each night.
There is no necessity for such a test
with modern rifles; but the o'clock fir-
ing Is rel:giously carried out When our
fleet was composed entirely OF sailing
ships captain or an admiral was al
ways hoisted out of his boat into his
ship and a boatswains mate stood by on
deck with his pipe TO give the men the
correct time for pulling on the rope
Admifals and captains now walk up
ladders when entering their ships. but
there is always a boatswain's mate stand
ing at the top to pipe them on board.
Every time an officer or man climbs to
the quarterback ne salutes. The origin
of this usage dates back long way.
When England was Roman Catholic
country a crucifix stood on the quar-
;trdeck Of all ships. Every time any of
the crew approached this holy symbol
they crossed themselves out OF that has
grown tho custom 81 sat ting the quar-
to- deck.
'sThe cry OF 'Heave out, heave out, show
n leg or a purser's stockingr which the
bo'suns' mates shout along the deck when
rousing the crew of a morning. IL a heri-
tage from that period OF our naval his
tory when women were carried in our
men-of-war
NELSON instituted what Is known as
mastering by the open list. II was nec-
essary practice In his time It is alb
solutcly unnecessary now, yet Il Is car
ried our regularly one Sunday In every
month The captain and officers assem-
Bile near table with O number of books
upon g. the men being ranged round.
Suddenly call for John Jones Is heard.
Jones at once nkes two steps. which
brings him into the center of a little
circle chalked on the deck in front of the
captain. Raising his hand he salutes,
sailor fashion. then takes or his cap,
looks the captain straight In the eye. and
says: No. isi sirs leading seaman,
trained man, seaman gunner torpedo
man. three badges. or details whatever
other accomplishment he may possess In
short. Jones has 70 tell the captain what
IL HIS number on the ships hooks. what
his rating is aud how many badges he