SHIPLOVERS' SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 238, 8 October 1935, Page 15

SHIPLOVERS' SOCIETY.

YARNS OF AFTERNOON WATCH

Address by mr. forbes eadie.

TllC monthly meeting of the Shipiovers* Society was held last evening in the Seamen's Institute, Sturdee Street, Captain H. H. Sergeant presiding over a large attendance. The visitors included Commodore tile Hon. E. R. Drummond, of H.M.S. Dunedin, and Lieutenant-Com-mander J. T. Lean, of H.M.S. Philomel. Proceedings, started with eight bells being struck on the old Gairloch's bell, lent to the society by the patron, Mr. Ernest Davis. Captain Sergeant said that Mr. Forbes Eadie, better known as "Lee-Fore-Brace," needed no introduction. He would speak on reminiscences of his shipmates, several of them being already name to members. Mr.' Eadie, .who received a hearty welcome, said'-'that life on' board the old sailing ships, which were often away from port for fiVeA or six months at a time, was often' dull, but when the crew gathered under the lee of the deckhouse in the ' afternoon watch many good yarns were told. ' He recquntqd a number of •incidents with his first voyage and'la'ter'in his career*, which wei'? greatly appreciated. The hard-driving skipper who quelled a mutiny without bloodshed and received the thanks of tne mutineers, the inborn belief in certain omens and-, , superstitions, -the sailors' propensity to "lift" anything or everything except the property of his mates; which was always safe, and many other sidelights on life aboard a windjammer were given in a truly nautical setting. Thanks were accordedjto Mr. Eadie by Rev. ji. It Vickery.it 'Captain Sergeant mentioned Mr, Eadie's departure for England at the end of the month and said the .society would hold a farewel. meeting in the "Towfi Hall on October 23.