SALUTING THE QUARTER DECK

New Zealand Tablet, 15 March 1917, Page 14

SALUTING THE QUARTER DECK

When England was Catholic England the ‘ Star of the Sea’ was accorded great honor by all seamen. From that period dates a practice -which the Halifax Herald describes in the following passage: One of the first things taught to the naval recruit, before he goes on board his ship, is that he must ‘ salute the quarter deck ’ when passing onto it when on board, and that he must salute at the gangway as he passes on board his ship at any time whether from a boat or direct from t lie shore. This is an ancient custom and is carried out by every officer and man whether he be the commander-in-chief in his own flagship or the ship cook’s youngest boy assistant. It survives from the times when a statue of the Blessed Virgin —or a Crucifixwas in prominence near the quarter deck of every ship when the sailors 1 uncovered’ their heads as they passed. Civilians and soldiers when passing on board should perform the same ceremony.