"PASSING MUSTER" IN THE NAVY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 143, 16 June 1917, Page 13

"PASSING MUSTER" IN THE NAVY.

THE ADMIRAL'S SHARP EYE. It is admiral's inspection. The Com-mander-in-Chief, having been duly "piped inboard" by the boatswain and received with the "Admiral's salute," has gone over the ship, and is now ready for the "muster by open list." A very old naval ceremony, this, though one which docs not grow in popularity by repetition, for admirals have sharp eyes. What they cannot see of a man's general appearance in one glance would not be discovered if you put him under a microscope. "Muster by open list" is designed to give tho Commander-in-Chief an opportunity of "running his eye over" each officer and man individually. For this purpose the admiral takes his station on the quarter-deck. Behind him gather his staff. In front of him a circle is chalked on the deck, and at a small table close by stands the captain's clerk with the ship's ledgers open in front of him. Each officer as his name is called steps forward, salutes, and passes on. The ship's company have been lined up to the right. "John Cleats," calls the clerk. Promptly Cleats, the first man in the line, steps into the chalked ring, takes off his cap, and says: "Petty officer, first class, torpedo gunner's mate, two badges." The admiral looks him over keenly, then nods, whereupon Cleats j its on his cap and moves brisky away, greatly pleased that his ordeal is over.

"Samuel Shanks," reads out the clerk. Shanks "nips into the ring," uncovers, and glibly recites his rating, qualifications, and the like. Then off he goes, if ho is lucky enough to pace muster, and another man follows him into the muchfeared circle. So the procession continues until the admiral Ims seen all the crew. Should one oi them not please his fastidious eye. "Make this man muster his bag," orders the admiral, turning to his flag lieutenant.

Off goes the unhappy wight to" turn out his kit under the supervision of 'Tlag Jack,' , and woe be to him if his bag does not contain the "two or three of everything" which the regulations decree should he found in it. Some few men are always made to lay out their

bags at every inspection, this being a part of the routine. Generally those "dropped upon"' for this inquisition are men whom the admiral suspects from their general appearance may be slack in their belongings. The kit inspection is usually carried out by the flag lieutenant, while the admiral watches the crew go through evolutions.

Admiral's inspection is held so that tho Commander-in-Chief may satisfy himself by personal observation that the ship and her complement are "right on the top line" of efficiency and be able to assure the Admiralty of this fact. If he does not find things aboard smart enough for hie liking, big trouble results ior somebody. The command (the second in command of the ship) is the one who has most at stake during the inspection of her, as an unfavourable report by the admiral may stop the commander's promotion. Before leaving he usually tells the captain whether or not he approves of what he has seen, and great is the anxiety on the part of everybody to get an idea of what the admiral s-aid. All, however, learn what he thought of them in the course of a day or two. For when the admiral transmits his report to Whitehall extracts from it are forwarded to the ship "for the information of all concerned." "Muster by open list" is not the only occasion when Jack gets "looked over." A captain's inspection is held every Sunday morning in order that "the owner" may ascertain whether all his men are properly clothed, and smart and cleanly in appearance. For this routine tlie crew fall in by divisions. Around pach of these the captain is accompanied by the oflicier in charge of it. Carefully "the owner" inspects each man, and "if he thinks that anyone needs an addition to hie wardrobe he sees that he gets it. With him it is, "Put down this man for a new pair of trousers," "This man must have a new jumper," or "This man must get a new cap."' The officer of the division duly notes these orders and takes care that they are obeyed, for whatever the captain says is law in this matter. If he considers that a sailor ought to have a new "rig out." the sailor must get uuc.

But though the captain may order the new clothing the eailor has to pay for it out of his own pocket. That constitutes one of Jack's bitterest grievances. Although upon entering the Navy a lDiiQ

receives a free kit, the cost of its upkeep falls upon him. Unlike the soldier and the marine, the bluejacket has to buy hie own uniform. He thinks it time this rojculation was altered, and there are many who agree with him.—"Jackstaff," in" the "Daily Mail."