Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1933-06-21
Shooting the Sur" with Sextants

headed and well-trained. For this reason, 1t was
pointed out, unusual care is exercised In Sc
Letting merchant marine academy candidates.
Boys must be United States citizens, have high
school education or its equivalent, be phys
ically, mentally, morally sound as a new dollar
and must have the qualities that make for lead
ershlp-courtesy, promptness in obeying com
mands and correct seamanlike habits.
The wheel and chart house come next for in
s~pection. In the afternoon sun the compass,
steering apparatus, engine room telegraph and
other bright work cleaned and glinted from ell
bow-greased high polish. 1t was exactly like any
other American merchantman's bridge except
that there were two large, long tables extending
the width Of the enclosed space, upon which ca
diets, studying navigation while on summer
cruise, work out the ships course. A huge flag
locker was located nearby, bullying with neatly
rolled multi-colored bunting. Atop the bridge was
the diamond shaped radio direction finder loop,
open air pinnacle and steering wheel.
Nine times out of ten the n. s. S. Empire
State is steered from the enclosed bridge, or
the flying bridge by a helmsman, generally a
qu~artermaster. But Captain Green went below
and pointed out the line Of steering apparatus
to a room far astern in the ship, where the
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where cadets are instructed, at times, In blind
steering. A bridge lookout may be the eyes of
the ship, on such occasions, but cadets are taught
to navigate safely by using inside compass and
wheel.
The engine room, deep in the bowels Of the
vessel, was fragrant with hot oils. Here a maze
of shining iron ladders wind up, around and
about the powerful driving equipment of the
training ship. All brightwork was spotless and
the ship could cast off on short notice, for steam
is kept up In the boilers most of the time. In
~tricacies Of this department prohibit elaborate
description. 1t Is q world Of machinery In itself
the pride Of engineers who undergo exhaus-
tive instruction and training aship and ashore
and who are charged with the mechanical well
fare of their vessel.
1t is interesting to note that, In most cases,
the captain and chief engineer of a ship hold
nearly equal rank. Both wear four gold stripes.
They are associates In command, although In
the last analysis the captains word Is supreme.
The cadets have an abundance of recreation.
Many are amateur musicians, have their instru-
ments aboard and make use Of the ships piano.
And when some one tears off a large amount of
'In the Evening by the Moonlight" a flood Of
barber shop harmony generally haunts the ship.
Captain Green pointed out a number of ca
diets engaged In infantry drill on the concrete
docks below. This gives them a taste of mill
tary activity. Such military schooling will auto
m~atically entitle cadets to become members of
the naval reserve.
Cadet instructors are capable, efficient and
painstaking In their work. For them special
training is required. The skipper said that sew
eral had taken not one but numerous ~instruc-
ton courses. A number of them are graduates
of the New York Merchant Marine academy,
preferring teaching to life aboard ship where
they start In as third class officers.
Over sandwiches, cakes and orange pekoe In
the captains quarters plans for summer were
explained.
I'VE will have our regular training cruise
said the skipper, a twinkle Of anticipation In his
eyes, adding that 1--WE expect to shove off some
time In June, take In a bit Of the Atlantic for
cruising purposes and touch at several European
ports"
These cruises are duck soup for cadets. The
boys get their fingers into navigation and en-.
cheering and, In addition, see the world first
hand. Stops include many Continental and Medi-
terranean ports.
One leaves the o.. S. s. Empire State with the
impression Of having seen a number Of splen.
did. clean-cut, ambitious young fellows eagerly
carving out their maritime careers, on a smart
merchant training ship, under the watchful, kind
ly supervision Of a "four strlper who knows bis
stuff" Similar activities are pursued at the
other three nautical schools.
90 by Western Newspaper Union-l