“THROUGH THE HAWSEHOLE”

Evening Star, Issue 19722, 24 November 1927, Page 15

“THROUGH THE HAWSEHOLE”

NAVAL PROMOTIONS FROM A.B. TO COMMANDER Tho United States is supposed to bo the most democratic country in the world, a great republic in which all men aro equal; but if a boy wants to becomo a commissioned officer in tho United States navy ho must ho nominated by a member of Congress, and that moans that his parents must ho people of influence and some wealth (writes Archibald Hurd, in tho ‘ Argus ’). Britain, on the other hand, is a monarchy, and its institutions aro usually described as aristocratic, but if a hoy with ability and grit and sea adaptability desires to become a commissioned officer in the British Navy, serving beside poors and rich commoners on the quarter-deck, as well as messing with them in tho wardroom, there is nothing in theory or in practice to cause him to abandon that ambition, however peer ho may bo. His father may bo a crossing-sweeper “or a mechanic, but that will prove no handicap. Class prejudice in tho_ British Navy, world famous for its high standard of discipline, does not exist. It is true that no admiral now flymg his flag afloat came out of a cottage home or a city tenement, but that is due merely to tho fact that tho democratic regime in the navy has not been established long enough. Thore < is no reason why some youngster, now in seamen’s uniform, who spends his time on ‘spit and polish jobs,” should not rise to the rank of admiral, becoming eventually First Sea Lord of the Admiralty. THE REIGN OF BEMOCRACY. * The British Navy is more democratic than it ever was. More men of humble origin, who have entered “ through tho hawsehole,” are now walking the quarter-deck than ever before. Promotions of poor men’s sons took place in the past, it is true, hut, as Commander Charles Robinson, the naval historian, has recorded, such officers began their careers as a_ rule in tho merchant service. Bampier and Bcnbow are early examples; Sir Bavid Mitchell and Captain Cook are other instances; Captain Campbell, who told the King to knight his wife, is another. The old system may ho exemplified by Benbow’s career. Ho had been apprenticed in tho merchant service probably to a relative, for at an early age he was given the command of a ship, which may bo regarded as_ evidence of his having ■well-to-do friends. Ills bravery commended him to tho. Admiralty. Ho became eventually at Admiral Sir Oloudesley Shovell’s suggestion, master of Torrington’s flagship, from which it may be concluded that ho had satisfied Trinity House, tho licensing authority, of his qualifications as a navigator. _ Subsequently lie commanded such ships as lieutenants woro usually given, and _ having by merit and influence attained to executive rank, ho was promoted to captain and admiral. Bonhow was specially fortunate; most of such officers roso no higher than the rank of lieutenant. Sir Bavid Mitchell is said to havo been pressed into the service. Ho was master of a merchantman, and masters were nob exempt from the press gang. He was already a seaman, and, moreover, an accomplished _ seaman. After a period of probation in subordinate grade his captain gave him an acting commission as a lieutenant. When he returned home ho had this commission confirmed by interest; and ho rose by influence and merit combined to be an admiral. Ono more exception may ho quoted. James Clepban, after having served his time as an apprentice in the merchant service, was pressed into the navy in July, 1794, as an A.B. on hoard H.M.S. Sibyl. A year later, having been of service to tho master, ho was rated master’s mate of H.M.S. Boris. In a boat of this ship he took part in the cutting out of tho French man-oi-ivar Chovretto on the night of July *T, 1801, and for his gallantry on that memorable occasion he was promoted lieutenant. In H.M.S. Spartiate he was present at Trafalgar. Ho saw a good deal of further service, was made a commander, and died a captain in 1854, tho year in which war with Russia broke out. THE NEW REGIME. Under tho system now in existence working men’s sons by tho score have risen to tho rank of lieutenant and lieutenant-commander in tho last few years. Ono officer, who reached tho quarterdeck “through the hawsehole,” is now a commander. Tho avenues open to poor hoys aro far easier to traverse than they werq. When tho new scheme of promotion from tho lower deck was introduced Mr Winston Churchill, who was then First Lord of tho Admiralty, declared that after qualifying for their new duties officers from the lower dock would bo appointed to ships, and would bo available for all executive duties of sub-lieutenants. “ They will, of course,” ho added “ bo eligible for promotion, strictly according to their merits, to tho higher ranks. As, however, they will begin as commissioned officers some years later than those who enter the Navy through tho naval colleges, it is probable tliat_ most of them will retire content with a career which will have carried them from bluejacket to commander.” What have hoofi the results of the system? The first promotions were made on February 14, 1913, when 44 were selected, followed by 31 in 1914, 108 in 1915, 52 in 1916, 93 in 1917, and 43 in 1918—a total of 371. With tho end of hostilities in 1918 there was a surplus of officers, and the promotion of mates ceased for two years. Postwar reductions in the strength of the Navy dealt this class a severe blow, as 139 of the numbers within the ago limits concerned were compulsorily retired under the “axe” scheme of 1922. In tho meantime, however, tho Admiralty had examined the system in the _ light of experience. It was admitted in an official statement subsequently issued that the intention “to form an avenue of promotion from tho lower deck to the commissioned ranks had been attained.” and that “many admirable officers had been produced in this manner," hut they had all suffered from the great handicap of age in comparison I with tho cadets of the Britannia training establishment at Bartmouth. Jt I was discovered that tho majority of those poor men’s sons did not roach tho rank of lieutenant until they were about 30, and they were thus at a distinct disadvantage of some eight years in age compared with their confreres, the sub-lieutenants of wealthier parents. Tho regulations wore accordingly amended so that u seaman of 21, provided ho had a first-class certificate in tho special educational test, and had i passed tho seamanship examination for j officer's rank, and satisfied the re- . inurements of a sea selection hoard, i might be eligible. Forty-seveu promotions have smoo been made. CHANCE FOR YOUNGSTERS. The transfer from the lower deck to the quarter-deck may be made at 18 years of age instead of three years later. At once, while his mind is still elastic, the youngster begins his train-

ing as a commissioned officer, with a good prospect of keeping pace, step by step, with tho sons of richer parents. There aro plans of a similar typo to enable stokers and artificers to gain promotion. The democratic principle is indeed applied in almost every branch of tho British Navy, tho medical branch hoing necessarily ono exception. Now that there aro frequent interchanges of officers between the British and dominion navies it may be a source of satisfaction overseas to know that, though there are some officers in tho fleet who aro tho sons of rich parents, and many more who are the offspring of parents of high social prestige, some of them being titled, there is an increasing proportion of men who havo como out or poor homes and whoso only claims cm tho Admiralty are character and ability. There is no snobherv in the British Navy. Every man is 'judged, not by what his father was, hut by what ho himself is, and rt is no moan asset if in addition to being clover ho is also a sportsman and a good fellow.