Gilpin observer., 1907-07-25
LIFE ON A MAN-OF-WAR.
The Modern Battleship a Floating
School of Applied Science.


floating school of applied science. Here
all the latest and most improved appli
anoes may be found in electrical appa-
ratus, in the engine room, in the tur-
vets. Nearly every craft and trade is
represented in the complement of
man of-war. The machinist, the elec-
trician, the plumber, the blacksmith,
the carpenter, the shipfitter, the cop
persmith, the boilermaker, the fireman,
tie painter, of the artificers and the
seamen and the various trades of the
seaman branch or deck force" all
find duties for their particular trade,
and a rating in which they enlist. Then
of the special branches, there arc the
musicians, yeomen, who do the cleri-
cal work, keep the accounts, ETC.; hos
pitai stewards, hospital apprentices Cor
nurses), printers, commissary stew
ards (who buy the food), cooks, bakers
and mess boys. Then, too, there are
billets which are filed by detail, al
though the men are not enlisted for
that specific duty, such as ships bar
ber, tailor, tailors helper, jack-o-the-
dust (who is a striker for the paymas-
teri, laundrymen, and the like. OF the
ratings peculiar to the navy, there are
the gunner's mates, gun captains, tur-
ret captains. quartermasters, signal
men, boatswain's mates, coxswains,
and master-at-arms, all of which billets
are filled by men who have been
trained in the service, or at one of the
various schools maintained by the
navy for the enlisted force. Few peo-
pie In civil life realize what a compre-
hensive institution battleship of to
Gay is-a veritable principality, with
about 800 wage earners, with hos
pital or sick bay" as it is known
aboard ship, dispensary, libraries OF
both fiction and technical works,
stores, shops of various kinds, band
to furnish a daily concert, and chap.
lain tC minister to the spiritual welfare
oe the ships COMPANY, deliver. lectures
and travel talks, and conduct the fu-
neral rites of a man who may die in
the service. The navy is kept at all
times in high state of efficiency, and
is always ready for an emergency
whether it be a Haytien revolution i'm
brogllo between neighboring republics
in Central America, the kidnapping Of
en- American citizen in Morocco, or the
MarGi Gras at New Orleans. To main
tain this. state Of readiness means
work, constant drilling and training.
The drilling begins when the recruit
first receives his outfit at the training
station, and continues till he goes on
the retired list. If he is not being
drilled, he is drilling somebody else.
But withal it is interesting work, and
l.; interspersed with hours off, fr"-
quent liberty, aud recreations of many
sCrts, so that it doesn't become dull
grind. There is a keen rivalry between
the different battalions at the training
stations; and on board ship the differ
ent divisions each strive to make
the best showing; while the competi-
ton between the various ships of the
fleet is always on edge. This Is en-
couraged by the awarding of trophies.
medals and cash prizes, for the best
record in target practice, and the best
racing crew in the feet, the best base
ball team, etc. In order to meet the
demand for trained men in the diffe~'
ent trades, the navy has established
its own schools or cssses. These con-
1ist of the electrical school, the artifi-
Ger school, the yeoman school, the mu-
Eician school, the cooks school and the
hospital training school, A man can De
sent to any of these schools. either
from the service or directly from the
recruiting Office, providing he has some
training or aptitude for that particular
trade. He will receive at the school
thorough course of instruction, and If
he qualities at the examinations he is
cent to q sea-going ship in his new raj
lLg, usually at an advanced rate of pay.
II he Is not competent to receive the
training given him, he is either trans
ierred to the general service or dis
charged for inaptitude. The courses
vary in length at the different schools,
ranging from a few weeks to year.
For the men who have served one term
of enlistment creditably there are open
the gunnery school of the seaman
branCh, and the machinist school for
the engine and fire rooms. These
schools are a sort Of postgraduate
course, and fit the men for petty Off
GERS and appointment as warrant Of
ncers. For men who enter the navy as
apprentice seamen, with no trade or
profe ssion, there are the large naval
training stations. Here preliminary in.
struotion is given the recruit in sea-
Inanship, signaling, boxing the COM
pass, handling boats under oars and
sail, heaving the lead, steering, and
most OF all the knack of taking
care of themselves on board ship
and keeping their persons and
clothes clean and tidy; in short,
"tho sea habit" The navy is not
all pleasure and sightseeing; but It
has It's many bright sides, and for the
man who enters the service deter
mined to make the most of his opportu-
mites, there is chance of earning
POSITION of responsibility and good
ray, and even though he remains in
but one enlistment. he has received a
training both physical and mechanical
which will be of benefit to him in af-
ter life. Nor should the impression b.
given that life in the navy is all ser-
BUSINESS, and wholly. or even largely,
devoted to work and the problems of
the profession. AS a matter of fact,
the man In the navy has as much of 4
gooG time as the man in any other pro.