LOG-BOOK GLEANINGS

Evening Star, Issue 23041, 20 August 1938, Page 2

LOG-BOOK GLEANINGS

" ANYTHING BUT GOOD" CONDITIONS OF YESTERYEAR “ MISERY FOR HARDY MEN "■ [By Fiest Mate.] ' Life on the high seas, even after 40 years in sail and steam, still holds an irresistible appeal for Mr William Younge. one of the old school of English sailors, who pays an occasional visit to Dunedin as quarter-master of a Port Line vessel. A typical old salt; with a gold ring piercing each ear, he enjoys to recount his many experiences to an attentive listener, together with shrewd observations and comparisons regarding ‘ sailors and their conditions down the years.. Born at Tynemouth® 56 years ago, Mr Younge came, not from sea-faring stock, but from a theatrical family. As a lad of 16 years he made his first voyage of two and a-half years to Australia andi back in a full-rigged ship, the Boscowan. Within 14 years he visited practically every country in the world in 10 different British sailing ships, rising to the rank of second mate. He then served for three and a-half years with the British Army in the Great War, being for two years on the western front. Since the war he has been associated with the Port Line.

“ To speak of the good old days at sea is a mere fallacy, because they were anything but good,” said Mr Younge when interviewed at Auckland. “It was misery for the hardy men who worked their fingers to the bone for salt meat and meagre pay, cut off from the world for months at a time. Nowadays it is a pleasure to go to sea, and in comparison with the £3 h month we used to earn it is shame to take the money they pay. Gone were the times, Mr Younge continued, when sailors lived! on salt pork or beef, or were expected to gnaw a biscuit alive with weevils. The modern sailor enjoyed three hot meals a day, and the food was better than many a working man ashore could afford. Two men to a cabin replaced the appalling conditions of yesteryear, when one often found 35 men huddled into forecastle quarters. “The Sailor of to-day is also a different type,” said Mr Younge. “He is refined and genteel, without the tattooing from head to foot and the inevitable mouthful of chewing tobacco that characterised the sailor of old. They now chew gum or chocolates, and seldom smoko other than cigarettes. In the true sense they are not sailors, but they are good enough for the job they are required to do. The average officer is now a skilled navigator, but not versed in the arts and crafts of a true sailor.” The change of attire among sailors was also commented on by Mr Younge. who said the able seaman going ashore was now often as well dressed as his master. The navy blue double-breasted suitings that used[ to typify the seagoing man had disappeared. In the days of sailing ships a man wearing a collar when applying for a berth was told that no “ barbers’ clerks ’ were wanted, added Mr Younge, telling of his own experience of hiding his collar on one occasion when he was looking for a ship. THE MAKO. On October 14, 1917, the steamship Mako left Paisley, Scotland, for New Zealand via South Africa. Almost immediately she struck heavy going. On Boxing Day she arrived at Adelaide, but ran into another storm off the coast. She arrived at Westport on January 13, 1915, and went to Auckland, where, until her removal by towage to Sydney by the motor ship Salamaua, she had since been prominent. She was used in the east coast trade between Auckland and Napier, working many small bays en route, and establishing a connection with the outside world for isolated farming communities for many years. She would telephone the ports to see if they were workable—many times they were storm-bound for months on end—arid would send ashore surf boats after she had gone in as far as she could. The cargo, generally wool would be stacked on the beach or on the rocks, and the mode of loading differed. Once the Mako ran aground Thinking she was sinking, the crew manned the lifeboats and watched. She sur-

vived, however; the purser was, still fast asleep when the crew returned aboard. Sometimes the, vessel would carry cattle, and on one occasion a struggling bull slipped from a sling over the deck. ' It crashed down' four steps into the saloon, lifted the set table from its fastenings, smashed chairs and crockery, ■ and. finally smudged the large saloon mirror as it “kissed ” its reflection. However, the Mako was replaced by. the Pukekq, and was laid up in the Auckland Harbour for seven years; Last year she was called upon to serve in the wool trade again at the peat of the season, but went back afterwards to ‘‘ Rotten Row.” ' ' • * • • WHEN merchantmen Armed. Merchant liners traversing certain routes were to be armed for purpose* of attack by hostile vessels in 1913, according to an Admiralty decision at that time. Its first application as far as the Australian trade was concerned was on the Aberdeen , liner - Themi§tqcles, which arrived at Melbournerin Watter July of ' that year with two 4.Tin guns protruding somewhat menacingly over the - stem.- The guns were fitted i aft, being strictly for defensive puri poses, so-that the . liner could nse the.m I while running from an attacking foe. | Each gun was effectively tested by ,the Admiralty before being installed in the Themistocles, while a specially-selected gun crew was in charge of the weapons. - NON MAGNETIC SHIP—i One of the most remarkable, ship* ever put on the slips is fast nearing completion at Dartmouth. She is the Government research ship Research, and is to be non-magnetic., Estimates veal that the 650 tons of this unique motor ship will cost slightly over £l5O each. Brass, bronze, and other nonmagnetic metals are being used, with all iron and steel eliminated, even for her Diesel engine; the hull will be teak, the rivets brass, and the dynamos, anchor, and cable of bronze. The Research will carry oh the work pioneered last century by the brigantine Galilee, and continued by the Carnegie up to her loss to American research in a hurricane at Apia nine, years ago. She was engaged primarily in determining the secular change in the earth’s magnetism in all oceans, and covered 343,000 miles. Results obtained were immediately placed at the disposal of all Governments for the purpose of correcting and compiling magnetic charts. The equipment of the Research will include echo-sounding apparatus, a marine dip indicator, a collimating compass, and pilot balloons for observations in the upper air. ANOTHER “ MASTER EYE,” Submarines are to have “ master eyes ” that will l render them proof against ■ surprise when surfacing, if an invention being tested by the British Admiralty is a success. Possibly this will be equally as effective as th® “magical steering eye ” for steamers, but the difference is great. This now “ eye ” permits a circle of vision through a periscope, instead : of only one-direction visibility by the'present means. A Manchester nurseryman was responsible for the idea. ./ ;