UNDAUNTED SPIRIT OF OUR SEAMEN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14590, 27 April 1918, Page 8

UNDAUNTED SPIRIT OF OUR SEAMEN.

HEROIC DEEDS EBRFORMED AS

SIMPLE DUTY.

KEEPING THE FLAG FLYING.

LONDON", Alarch 3,

It' was GermanyV original intention to frighten the British merchantmen from the seas. She thojught. to- accomplish this 1 by deeds ;&f frightfulness, and she failed. Although she multiplied the dangers of the. seq. *. hundredfold, the merchant searaon of Britnin have continued to defy the pirate. : They have done more. By refusing to desert ships m distress, and by boldly facii>g the G-eTman U-boats, the .British maa-iners an© building up week I>y iweekia record of heroism surpassod by no other: servicej ! They' are simple,: straightfonvari men; ! these tnercharii. sftilor.s, "with a clear sense of duty, apd quick to • appreciate any official acknowledgment whidi ' niay .be bestowed upon thoiti, Th^ Aidmiralty recognises thpiv services gratefully, and the letters -wi-itteii by some oh these m reply indicate what wanner of mpn th^y aye,' 'V - ;

: "I am m rooeipt of certificate showing that -I -,was commended for good service," writes one of them. "As this certificate was bntively - unejtpacted, I received it wifh the greater -appreciation, and ■desire to convey. t<> my lin*L?j Goirnniasiohera of •the iV^niiralty that • -whatever -1 have done hap b^en; done m. a comntan caiiso which pvpyy British seaman -must feel it his duty to drt for Iris home and country' m the hour of their need!"' .

Another writes :— -''On jmy arrival here this inoiTimg T received a letter from my owners enclosing a, copy of your letter. I rieed hardly say hmv much, gratified I am afc the great honor conferred "upon trie by his Majesty the King, m fcwardirtg me the Distinguish^' Seyvico Cross, m recognitiQri'of'my «oj-Yiceß m veecuing the crew of 4 steainghiipi >h^ch I' shall pver pnge, I can only say that as a British seaman I did what I considered my fliity without the expectation of fee or reward^ and under similar circumstances I >houJd : do the * same again. " A third master writes :— il I only, performed what I considered to be my duty, and should; occasiph arise I am quite ready to do it again. On behalf of my mw and self I beg ■ itenk " yin very much." -■• • v J

M-TToiir esteenied f^vor," writes the captain of a fourth vessel, "enclosing a cartififlftto;. of .. commendation v granted by my.l^da-Oammissiionersi&r. good seryice is,dttiy,.to. ! hand,.(qr wuiipji Icmdly aceopt my best^tlianlcst In aboQinpliahinfl .the <sa^li; t gQbd..a§ivyic§ % I qqly'see that! was <rfsWug -<nrt my duty to th,o b,est of my ttt ?.W*y- ;«n'dor : taie existing .circumstances flndancidientailly endpavoiung. to* keep" my, ship's flaff, stall, flying, . wJjich I shall al.w^.ya endeavor . to do, 'with- fh© help of the* Almighty*" • \ ,