The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-07-18
Life on a Man-o' War

To the superficial spectator, man-of
war life seems to be one of constant
gayety, pleasure, picturesqueness and
romance. Visitors to our warships, as
the latter lie peacefully at anchor in
port, see officers and men amusing them.
selves or going ashore, as well as those
at work; hear the bands playing; see
the officers playing cards or drinking
their beer, and the men boxing, wrest-
| ling or skylarking. All seems content
ment and comfort.
1t is true that the navy has its pleas
ures, but it also has it's hardships, some
of them greater than any ordinarily en-
dured on shore. There are storms at
sea; dreary night watches in wind and
rain; Arctic cold and tropical heat;
fever-infested cruising grounds; con-
inement on board ship for weeks and
even months at time; separation from
home; rigid discipline always. In war
there is fighting, but Jack looks upon
this as a joy.
In sea and in port, there must al
ways be one commissioned officer and at
least one midshipman always on deck
watch. Petty officers and men take
their regular turns at watch in engine
and fire rooms, at the wheel, on look
out. at sentry post. From early morn
ing, say $50 a. NJ, until 1880 a. m, the
decks must be scrubbed, patchwork and
bright-work polished. After the break
fast period, which lasts from 1880 to
Sis a. M, both officers and men must
attire themselves in the uniform of the
day, as prescribed by the flagship. At
$3.50 a. M. sick call is sounded, when
all those feeling sick report to the sur
geon for treatment. From $3.50 to 1880
a. m, officers and crew are at drill,
which varies from day to day, although
drills with the great guns are more fire.
quent than any others. These drills
include exercises not only with the bat
ferries, but as infantry and light artil-
lery; in small boats, under both oars
and sails; with signals; collision and
abandon-ship drill; fire quarters; gen
eral quarters; for action; clearing ship
for action, and coaling ship. The last
named is nowadays vital operation,
and the crews are carefully organized
LUZ Ii, 1OE Tdpluity VI COdIlhS ID d SASdt
factor of a warship's efficiency.
From noon to l p. m. is the officers
luncheon and the men s dinner hour.
From 1870 to 3 p. m. there is instruction
in use of ammunition, in sighting and
firing both small arms and great guns,
and other professional subjects. From
8 p. m. until 5 the officers and men,
except those on duty, are free. At S
p m. there is a Commute period of
''setting up' exercises, or ealesthenics,
and at $50 the men have supper, the
officers dining at 6 or Z.
At 9 p. m. tattoo and taps are sound
ed, the naval day is over, and all must
be quiet, except, of course, when there
is a concert or other entertainment on
board, when there is an extension of
length decided by the captain.
+ In the popular mind, perhaps the
chief attraction is the opportunity it
offers for seeing the world On the
other hand, in the navy neither officer
nor man can have permanent home or
fixed place of work until he reaches the
age of retirement, which is GO years
for an officer, and for a man at the
end of 80 years service.