LUXURIOUS LIFE IN THE AMERICAN NAVY.

West Coast Times, Issue 7300, 22 January 1889, Page 4

LUXURIOUS LIFE IN THE AMERICAN NAVY.

Except among the officers, there are few American oitizens in the whole of the American Navy. The men are chiefly deserters or discharged and reserve men from the British army and navy, with a sprinkling of French, Germans, andScandmavians. Tbe reason of this is not far to feck. Considering the short term of service, it is an unquestionable advantage to the American navy to fill up the ranks with men who have already passed through some naval or military training ; and the attractions of the American service are great for Englishmen and Scotchmen. The term of service is very short— only three years : and the rate of pay is comparatively munifieent—twentyfour dollars a month, and to tbat will shortly be added, it is said, a free kit. The fare on board is less Spartan than in the British navy, and the discipline is less severe. Further, a stoker or fur* naceman receives thirty dollars a month, and does only two hours duty out of the twelve; an able seaman, advancing through the various grades of petty rank, increases his pay at a greater rate than if he were on a British ship. Twenty-four dollars a month would however, give men too much to spend whenever they were in port, so only a small proportion of the pay may be drawn monthly, the remainder being left to the end of the three years, when each man may with his discharge return to oivil life with a good round sum in his pocket. In the matter of food the English blue jacket who turns American ha 9go d reason to think that he fares sumptuously. Salt junk is seldom eaten, and vegetables and fruit, fresh or canned are always to be had Instead of each Bailor having to take bis tura as cook for his mess as on British ships with only the voluntary reward of his messmates' grog] there is a keen competition to be cook for the month, because that office brings extra pay and exemption from ordinary duty. The American is seldom called upon to eat biscuit ; day in and day out he luxuriates in fresh bread baked in the ship's ovens. But there is no grog on board. But the sailors who have served in tbe American Navy have taken this remarkable exception to it, that there is neither discipline enough nor work enough.