The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-06-22
Shooting the Sun With 5extants

headed and welltrained. For this reason, 1t was
pointed ont. unusual care Is exercised In Sc.
lecting merchant marine academy candidates
Boys must be United States citizens, have high
school education or Its equivalent be phys
ica1Iv, mentally. morally sound as new dollar
and must have the qualities TINT make for lead
ership-courtesy promntness In obeying com
mands and correct seamanke habits
The wheel and chart house come next for In
spection- In the Afternoon sun the compass,
steering apparatus, engine room telegraph and
other bright work cleaned and glInted from Ell
bow creased high polish. 1t was exactly like any
other American merchantman's bridge except
that there we're 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. huge flag
locker was located nearby, bullying with neatly
rolled multi-coored bunting. Atop the bridge was
the diamond shaped radio direction finder loop,
open air pinnacle and steering wheel.
Nine times out OF ten the e. S. s. Empire
State Is steered from the enclosed bridge, or
the flying bridge by helmsman, generally
quartermaster. But Captain Green went below
and pointed out the line OF steering apparatus
to room far astern In the ship, where the
rudder tier Is swung by automatic devices and
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 maze
Of shining iron ladders wind up, around and
about the powerful driving equipment Of the
training ship. All brightwork was spotess and
the ship could cast or on short notice, for steam
fbo hot1 nf n
tricaces OF this department prohibit elaborate
dissertation. 1t Is a 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 wei
fare OF their vessel.
IT Is interesting to note that, In most cases
the captain and chief engineer of 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 OF the ships piano
And when some one tears off large amount o.
IN the Evening by the Moonlight flood o.
barber shop harmony generally haunts the snip
CAPTAIN Green pointed out number OF ca
diets engaged In infantry drill on the concrete
docks below. This gives them taste Of mill
tarN ACTIVITY. 5ucli HithiaiJ osiAoothb 'iA 1900
matically entitle cadets to become members 0
the naval reserve.
Cadet instructors are capable efficient ant
nainstakjnc in their work For them specla
raining il required. The skipper said that sew
eral had taken not one but numerous instruc
zion courses number OF them are graduate
OF the New York Merchant Marine academy
preferring teaching to life aboard ship Wher
thoy ctarf IN MS third class officers.
over sandwiches, cakes and orange pekoe l
the CAPTAINS quarters plans for summer wer
explained
ave will have our regular training cruise,
sojd the skipper, twinkle Of anticipation In hi
eyes. adding that I'VE expect to shove off som
limo IN lime take In bit Of the Atlantic 10
cruising purposes and touch at several Europen
ports"
These cruises are duck soup for cadets. TIL
bows get their fingers into navigation and ei
pineerlng md. In addition. see the World fir
hand SONS include many Continental and Med
terranean ports
one leaves the u S. S. Empire State with I'll
impression Of having seen number OF splel
did cleon-cut ambitious young fellows eager
carving out their maritime careers on sma
merchant training ship, under the watchfui kin
w supervision OF -four striper who knows h
gtur.p Similar activities are pursued at Il
other three nautical schools.
I'm hy western Newspaper union.l