A VERSATILE SEAMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18678, 7 April 1924, Page 12

A VERSATILE SEAMAN.

SECOND MATE AS COOK. NURSE AND MINISTER. EXPERIENCE ON THE MAPU. The saflorman during his life plays many parts, especially in sailing vessels, on which the voy:iges are often monotonous, but are sometimes very eventful. A voyage of the eventful class was the experience of Mr. Singleton, second mate of the Mapu, which arrived at Auckland on Saturday morning after a prolonged trip from Clarence • River, New South Wales, In the early part of the voyage the cook sickened width consumption and was confined to his bunk. Mr. Singleton acted as nurse to the dying man, and also took over the duties of cook, being assisted at times by .other*members of the crew.

Wihen the cook die>3, Mr. Singleton officiated at the burial, which took place the same day. The crew pf the schooner did not possess a prayer fcctok, but Mr. Singleton ' remembered parts of the services ho had attended at sea and on shore. The parts he did not remiimber he filled in with extracts from a llible, with the result fahat the cook's bo.3y was committed to this deep with all the solemnity thai would have taken placp if an ordained clergyman had officiated. When the funeral ceremony was finished Mr. Singleton resumed the position of cook, ana he seems to have carried out the duties without undue suffering on the part of the remaind<ssr of the crew. The impromptu cook was quite proud of his capabilities in the culinary department, of which he had charge for the first time in his life. He proudly exhibited a loaf baked by hint In his own estimation the bread was all that could be desired, but if Mr. Singleton was in charge of a bakery ashore hie would never run any risi of being prosecuted for soiling bread under weight. The prolonged voyage; practically erupt:**! the schooner's laaaeette, so Mr. Singleton's menu toward the, last was not very varied. The shortage <if stores was only a passing incident. Wihat troubled the crew hardest of all was a shortage of tobacco, which ran out jorno days before the schooner readied port.. When the crew had received a new supply, the comforts of the pipe put any discomfort during the voyage in the background.