IN THE NAVY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1928, Page 7

IN THE NAVY

VOLUNTEER SAILORS AT SEA.

FULL DAYS AND JOLLY ONES

(By COMMANDFR 11. M. DANIEL D. 5.0., R.N., in the “ Daily .Mail.”)

; While Territorials are in camp hundreds cf Royal Naval Volunteers are now at- sea training in the fleet—Urfinest and most useful holiday ec or •invented for landsmen. In some ways the H.N.V.R. offers remarkable contrast t the Territorial Army. The Volunteer Sailors are absorbed into the ship’s company of a nian-o’-war and for a space of several weeks a city clerk, perhaps, loses him self in a life entiyelv different from anything which lie has over experienced before. The point of view of bis messmates will be fresh and entertaining, his daily life .a chain of interesting incidents. and if be is lucky lie will go for a cruise to foreign parts. Not least, lie will form lasting friend ships with men who move in a new world, and forever afterwards throughout the world he will be welcome of the freemasonry of the sea.

On arrival on hoard a battleship, he will he given a. watch-hill number, inspected by the officer of the watch, taken down to his moss and shown where to stow his hag, or if he is very lucky he will he given a locker. “SHOW A LEG.” On the following day lie will work “ with the hands.” At five o’clock he will hear the bos’n’s mates called and a few minutes later he will be told to show a leg —a relic of the clays when women lived on board who, on showing a hairless, shapely leg, were allowed t” “ lie in ” until Guard and steerage hammocks at six o’clock. After a bowl of ship’s cocoa, better than any shore-going brand, both watches” fall in on the quarter-deck and, having been reported present to the commander, receive the order. “Scrub and wash the upper deck.” At seven the bugle sounds “ Clean guns.” and the volunteer consults his commissioning card to find wlmt his cleaning station is. A messmate takes him along and, with several others, he rubs away at some special piece ol mechanism to which he lias beer assigned until the bugles sound “ Return rays.” ’1 hen breakfast and “clean ” into tne rig of the day according to the orders passed by the "bos’n’s mates. At nine o’clock the ship’s company parades by divisions, after which, in accordance with the articles of war, the chaplain reads prayers, enlivened with a hymn to the accompaniment ol the 'ship’s hand. The parson walk’s forward, his surplice fluttering iii the breeze, the bos’n’s mate pipes “ Off boots , and jumpers, fall in for physical drill.’ This lasts for about twenty minutes, ending up with a run round the ship to the tune of “ John Peel.” TUNEFUL DINNER CALL. The hands are then told off for work -■nd the volunteer finds himself at gun drill, torpedo, signals, or whatever may he the line which he may have chosen for. his preliminary training. At noon- the bosn’s’ mates pipe a long and tuneful “call” to dinner. Ten minutes earlier tlie cook of the mess for the day has been to the galley for the “scran” and has drawn the rations of “ bubbly ” (rum). Eating the best of dinners does not take a hungry man long and, when the “afters” have been swallowed, “Cookie” appreciates it if everyone clears off for a hit so as to give him a chance to clear up the mess. Lrom one-fifteen, to four there are more drills and instructions, then another parade at Evening Quarters. Perhaps Fife Stations are exercised iow ; or possibly Out Diving Pump it ■ill depends on the fleet routine and the will of the Cominaiider-in-Chief. If lieie are no evolutions hands are piped 'o tea, and liberty-men to clean lor .suing ashore. Leave is usually granted until seven in the morning with the option of re-

turning at any time before midnight .either by a hired shore boat or by the Vship’s boats, which run in accordance with a. time table. Men are not allowed to return after midnight as a rule so as to avoid disturbing other men b v . slinging and uiilashing a hammock on a crowded mess deck. A wise man before going ashore' arranges with an “ opposite number ” to sling it for him, and lie naturally returns the compliment in due course.

CINEMA OH SING-SONG. If it is not his turn ashore, aftc supper he will turn up with the watoi for hoisting those boats no longer re quired. He is then free to watch th< cinema or join in a sing-song, always ■'remaining on the qui vivo .until ‘‘ pipe down ” at toil o’clock. Unlike the Territorial, the Naviv Volunteer can go to sea for his train ing at any time convenient to Innself; he is no restricted like the soldier to a specified period. Therefore any Londoner who lias been deferred from joining the Territorials because of the mice rt-a in ty of being, able to attend canir should, if he lias any love for the sea. enlist in the R.N.Y.R. any Wednesday evening at seven o’clock on hoard H.M.S. President. Everv vear the Naval Volunteer may take a cruise in a man-o’-war tor twelve' weeks if lie can spare the time; and. unlike any other holiday that I know of, be draws pay for it. A full kit is provided on entry and a bonus is paid at the end of the year tc cover minor out-of-pocket expenses—in fact a man joins a holiday club without entrance-fee, is paid for enjoying his holiday, and has the nice, comfortable feeling that he is serving his country in no uncertain way.

40 DRILLS A YEAR.. Like the Territorials, there is plenty of enthusiasm in all ranks, hut they are not- nearly up to full strength, perhaps because a great many people dr, not know the, conditions of. service nor the many attractions which H.M.S. President has to offer. Forty drills are compulsory in the first year, hut as two of these may be taken in one evening this condition is not very exacting. Engagement is undertaken for four years, during which 42 days must be spept at sea >vith the licet; more if desired may he arranged, but 42 days is the minimum. Boat-pulling is the chief attraction and there are several cups to be striven for in periodical races. Wireless, telegraphy., flashing, semaphore and flags attract many to specialise in the signal branch. Those of a mechanical bent may become electrical ordnance or epigine-rooni ' artificers: motor mechanics, shipwrights, 01

jomers. Recruits arc drawn from all wa-ks ol life: clerks in insurance offices, clerks in hanks, mechanical fitters, dental mechanics ; members of the Stock Exchange and Post Office telegraphists. During the week-ends there are sailing expeditions down the river, which combine seamanship and pleasure.