The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-07-27
LIFE ON A MAN-OF- WAR.
The Modern Battleship . Floating
School OF Applied Science.

To the landsman there is much OF
tire element OF mystery in the life OF
beard a man -o-var To the men of the
navy 4. is a matter OF livelihood. and
although fascinating. II Is none the less
Cue OF constant application The mod
ern battleship or cruiser Is. in truth, d
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 tuT-
rets Nearly eyery craft and trade is
represented IN the complement OF a
u.an OF war The machinist. the ele"-
trician. the plumber the blacksmith.
the carpenter. the shipftter, the cop
persmith. the boilermaker, the fireman
tie painter OF the artificers and the
feamen 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 stewarts. hospital apprentices Tor
uurses). printers, commissary ste ,.
ards ,who buy the food. cooks. bakers
and mess boys. Then, too. there are
b,iiets which are filled BY detail. al
though the men are not enlisted for
that specific duty. such as ships bar
ber tailor. tailor's helper. jack. the
dust twho is n striker for the paymas
teri laundrymen, and the like. OF III"
ratings peculiar TO the navy. there are
the Gunner's mates, gun captains. tur-
ret captains, quart signal
men. hOatswain'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 ths
navy for the enlisted force. Few peO-
Iie IN civil life realize wat a compre-
hensiye institution a battleship Of 20
Gay ts-a veritable principality. with
about 500 wage earners, with hos
p!tal o. sick bay" as 1t Is known
aboard ship. dispensary libraries Cl
both fiction and technical works
stores shops Of various kinds band
to furnish daily concert. AMI a chap
lain to minister TO the spiritual welfare
o. the ships companr. deliver lectures
and travel talks. and conduct the fu.
neral rites of 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 ii be a Haytien revolution. i'm.
hr1gnO between neighboring republics
IN Central America, the kidnapping IF
ra American citizen i'll Morocco, or the
MarGi Gras at New Orleans. To main
tain this state If readiness means
work, constant drilling and training.
The drilling begins when the recruit
first receives his outfit al the training
ttatloE. and continues till he goes on
the retired list. If he is not being
drilled, he is drilling somebody else,
But Withai 1t is interesting work, and
Is intersperscd with hours on. fr"
Guent liberty. aud recreatons of many
tCrts, so that it doesn't become dull
grind. There is a keen rivalry between
The different battalions at the training
etations. 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
edals and cash prizes. for the best
record in target practice. and the best
racing crew in the feet. the test base
bal! team. etc In order to meet the
demand for trained men in the differ
ent trades, the navy has established
Its own schools or sses These con
list OF the electrical school, the artif.
Giciap school. the cooks school and tn
hospital training school A man can re
sent to any of these schools either
from the service or directly from the
recruiting office, providing he has som.
training or aptitude for that particular
Il ade He viii receive at the school
thorough course Of instruction. and #
he qualities at the examinations he is
cent to 2 going ship in his new RAJ
iI.Ei usually at an advanced rate of pay.
lf he Is not competent to receive the
traininE given him, he is either tran )
Ierred to the general service or dis
charged for inaptitude. The courses
vary in length at the different schools.
ranging from few weeks to a year.
For the men who have served one terra
Of enlistment creditably there are open
the gunnery school of the seaman
branch, and the machintst school for
the engine and fire rooms. These
schools are a sort Of post graduate
course, and fit the men for petty Off
GERS and appointment as warrant of
Hcers. 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
atruCtion is given the recruit in SCI
nanship. signaling, boxing the com
pass. handling boats under oars and
sail. heaving the lead, steering. ani
most OF all the knack OF taking
tare Of themselves on board ship
and keeping their persons and
clothes clean and tidy; in short.
"thc sea habit" The navy is not
all pleasure and sightseeing; but :;
has It's many bright sides, and for the
man who enters the service dete-.
aimed to make the most of his opportu-
mites, there is chance of. earning II
lositIoE of responsibility and good
ray; and even though he remains IN
Lut one enlistment, he has received a
training both physical and mechanical
which will be of benefit to him in af-