The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1905-02-07
GIRLS WHO TRoD THE DECK
Some Who Have Braved the Horrors
Of War and Others Suffered
Flogging.

The records of the British feet contain
many references to women who. in the
old days. when no man was safe from
the press-gang, braved the dangers and
discomforts OF a sailors life.
Nowadays, says Smiths Weekly, the
deception would be discovered as soon
as It was attempted: but when we were
az war with France, and Lord Nelson
was the apple OF the nations eye, naval
officers we're not so particular. They
bundled new hands on deck in a very
unceremonious manner.
A Quid In the cheek. a cool swagger,
and pair OF breeches were all the evil
dence OF the sex they wanted. And cap
ital sailors they made, such OF them as
lived through the war to disclose their
real condition.
Their messmates used TO rally them
for their beardless faces. and many an
uneasy moment must the banter have
caused; but for the rest they could reef
and steer with any man and took to the
rigging like cats
Sometimes there was no conceainent
about 1t. as in the case OF Poll Wells.
who was oEce a familiar toast In the
tayerns or every seafaring town in
England
Poll fought bravely on board the Mari
borough throughout one OF the hottest
engagements OF the French war
When the vessel left Plymouth she
refused to part from her sailor. and ac-
tually bore the horrors and confusion OF
he battle, standing by her gun with all
the resolution Of hardy veteran.
Polls share OF the prize money for the
Marlborough capture came to three
pounds, which she received like an ordi-
nary seaman; and we'll she deserved II,
too. for her courage was OF just as much
service to the ship as her humanity and
attention were TO the unfortunate suf-
ferers who had been wounded.
For the most part, however. the girl
sailors OF the fleet dofed their petit
coats and kept their sex a secret. In
many cases 1t was for the sake of a sailor
lover on board the same ship. More fre-
quently however. the girls were driven
% this resort 10 escape wretehed fate
on shore.
In the svmmer of 1900 the crew OF his
maiestys ship Actoeon were laughing
over an incident OF tsls nature.
This was none other than the discoy-
cry that one OF the boys. who had begged
to be taken on board seven weeks be-
fore. had performed the duties Of his
station like other boys. was really fine
girl Of is. who had taken the step in
order to escape from the neglect or her |
father.
1t was said that no one on board the !
Actoeon had the slightest suspicion OF
aer sex; and so much did the men relish
the joke that when she went ashore
again. dressed in proper clothes. she took /
Tith her a handsome collection, made for
her by the officers and ships company. |
Probably this maiden han seen enough |
If the sea: but that was not the case
with one woman In the disguise Of a
sailor who was pressed With number |
II men In Shsdwell. In ls0s
She answered all questions put to her
q true seataring style. and when dis
charged, and advised to assume her
proper dress. she declared she never
would until she had given a drubbing to
he French.
Flogging must have been a terrible
train on the determination Of these girl
sailors 10 keep their secrets.
Several instances are recorded in 1
which girls under sentence to be fogged
disclosed their sex TO the officers, and
.scaped the service with a whole skin or
heir backs.
The bravado was sometimes kept up
NTH within sight Of the instrument Of
orture. or until their backs were ae-
nally barred for the stinging cuts II the
ash.
Save when in such desperate straits.
iowever. they lived through their trou-
les bravely, and We may take il for
.ranted that IN several cases no whisper
e ehn real frs4fh ssranrrH