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diff --git a/15155-h/15155-h.htm b/15155-h/15155-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e4d5ac --- /dev/null +++ b/15155-h/15155-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4665 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta name="generator" content= + "HTML Tidy for Windows (vers 1st August 2004), see www.w3.org" /> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Windjammers And Sea Tramps, + by WALTER RUNCIMAN, Sen.</title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .poem span.i1 {display: block; margin-left: 1em;} + .poem span.i3 {display: block; margin-left: 3em;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: smaller;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px; font-size: smaller; font-size: smaller;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Windjammers and Sea Tramps, by Walter Runciman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Windjammers and Sea Tramps + +Author: Walter Runciman + +Release Date: February 23, 2005 [EBook #15155] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WINDJAMMERS AND SEA TRAMPS *** + + + + +Produced by Steven Gibbs and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1>WINDJAMMERS AND SEA TRAMPS</h1> + + <h3><i>By</i></h3> + + <h2>WALTER RUNCIMAN, <i>Sen.</i></h2> + + <h4><i>Author of "The Shellback's Progress in the Nineteenth + Century."</i></h4> + + <h4>SECOND EDITION.<br /> + <br /> + LONDON AND NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE:<br /> + THE WALTER SCOTT PUBLISHING CO., LTD.<br /> + NEW YORK: 3 EAST 14TH STREET.<br /> + 1905.</h4> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 322px;"> + <a name="frontispiece" id="frontispiece"></a> <img src= + "images/frontispiece.jpg" width="322" height="481" alt= + ""THE —— RATS HAVE EATEN UP HOLLAND"" + title= + ""THE —— RATS HAVE EATEN UP HOLLAND"" /> + <b>"THE —— RATS HAVE EATEN UP HOLLAND"</b> + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h4>THESE EXPERIENCES AND OPINIONS<br /> + OF THINGS NAVAL<br /> + NEW AND OLD<br /> + ARE DEDICATED<br /> + WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF ESTEEM<br /> + TO<br /> + JOHN DENT AND WILLIAM MILBURN<br /> + AND TO THE MEMORY OF<br /> + E.H. WATTS</h4> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2>CONTENTS</h2> + <!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> + + <p><a href="#PREFACE"><b>PREFACE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II. PECULIAR AND + UNEDUCATED</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III. A CABIN-BOY'S START AT + SEA</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV. THE SEAMAN'S + SUPERSTITIONS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V. THE SEAMAN'S + RELIGION</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI. SAFETY AND COMFORT AT + SEA</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII. WAGES AND + WIVES</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII. LIFE AMONG THE PACKET + RATS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX. BRUTALITY AT + SEA</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X. BRAVERY</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI. CHANTIES</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII. JACK IN RATCLIFF + HIGHWAY</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII. THE MATTER-OF-FACT + SAILOR</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV. RESOURCEFULNESS AND + SHIPWRECK</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV. MANNING THE + SERVICE</b></a><br /></p><!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + <h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + <p><span style="text-align:center;">(<i>After Drawings by</i> + THOMAS RUNCIMAN)</span><br /> + <br /> + <b><a href="#frontispiece">"THE —— RATS HAVE EATEN UP + HOLLAND"</a></b><br /> + <b><a href="#fp024">TARRING THE MAINMAST STAY</a></b><br /> + <b><a href="#fp042">TELLING HIS FORTUNE</a></b><br /> + <b><a href="#fp115">A PARTING CHEER TO THE OUTWARD + BOUND</a></b><br /> + <b><a href="#fp134">RATCLIFFE HIGHWAY: "CARRYING SMALL + CANVAS"</a></b><br /> + <b><a href="#fp154">A BERWICKSHIRE HAVEN</a></b></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2> + + <p>"I went in at the hawse-hole and came out at the cabin + window." It was thus that a certain North Country shipowner once + summarised his career while addressing his fellow-townsmen on + some public occasion now long past, and the sentence, giving + forth the exact truth with all a sailor's delight in hyperbole, + may well be taken to describe the earlier life-stages gone + through by the author of this book. The experiences acquired in a + field of operations, that includes all the seas and continents + where commerce may move, live, and have its being, have enhanced + in value and completed what came to him in his forecastle and + quarter-deck times. He learned in his youth, from the lips of a + race now extinct, what the nature and traditions of seamanship + were before he and his contemporaries lived. He has seen that + nature and those traditions change and die, whilst he and his + generation came gradually under a new order of things, whose + practical working he and they have tested in actual practice both + on sea and land.</p> + + <p>It is on this ground of experience that the author ventures to + ask attention to his views in respect of the likeliest means to + raise a desirable set of seamen in the English merchant navy. But + he also ventures to hope that the historic incidents and + characteristics of a class to which he is proud to belong, as set + forth in this book, may cause it to be read with interest and + charitable criticism. He claims no literary merit for it: indeed, + he feels there may be found many defects in style and description + that could be improved by a more skilful penman. But then it must + be remembered that a sailor is here writing of sailors, and hence + he gives the book to the public as it is, and hopes he has + succeeded in making it interesting.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + + <p>INTRODUCTORY</p> + + <p>It was a bad day for Spain when Philip allowed the "Holy + Office" to throw Thomas Seeley, the Bristol merchant, into a + dungeon for knocking down a Spaniard who had uttered foul + slanders against the Virgin Monarch of England. Philip did not + heed the petition of the patriot's wife, of which he must have + been cognisant. Elizabeth refused the commission Dorothy Seeley + petitioned for, but, like a sensible lady, she allowed her + subjects to initiate their own methods of revenge. Subsequent + events show that she had no small share in the introduction of a + policy that was ultimately to sweep the Spaniards off the seas, + and give Britain the supremacy over all those demesnes. This was + the beginning of a distinguished partnership composed of + Messieurs John Hawkins and his kinsman Francis Drake, and of + Elizabeth their Queen. Elizabeth did not openly avow herself one + of the partners; she would have indignantly denied it had it been + hinted at; yet it is pretty certain that the cruises of her + faithful Hawkins and Drake substantially increased her wealth, + while they diminished that of Spanish Philip and that of his + subjects too. Long before the Armada appeared resplendent in + English waters, commanded by that hopeless, blithering + landlubber, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, who with other sons of + Spain was sent forth to fight against Britain for "Christ and our + Lady," there had been trained here a race of dare-devil seamen + who knew no fear, and who broke and vanquished what was reckoned, + till then, the finest body of sailors in the whole world. That + our sailors have maintained the reputation achieved in the + destruction of the great Spanish Armada is sometimes disputed. I + am one of those who trust that British seamen would be worthy of + British traditions were they even now put to the test by some + powerful invader. To suppose that the men who smothered the + Armada, or those who broke the fleets of Spain and France at + Trafalgar, were more courageous than those of our day would be + found in similar circumstances, is arrant folly. In smaller + things we can see the same sterling qualities shown by members of + our Navy now as their forebears exhibited of old. The impressive + yet half comic character of the religion that guided the lives of + seamen during Drake's time has been faithfully handed down like + an heirloom to the genuine old salt of our own time.</p> + + <p>The great Admiral had inconsistencies of character, and + conduct that would seem to live on in more or less elevated + examples up till now. He conducted himself in regal style on his + long voyages, dressing in an imposing way for dinner, during + which he commanded fine music to be played—for at that day + England was the home <i>par excellence</i> of music—and no + food was eaten at his table until the blessing of the Almighty + had been asked upon it, and "thanks" was solemnly offered ere + rising. The Holy Sacrament was partaken by him with Doughty the + Spanish spy. The latter, after being kissed by Drake, was then + made to lay his head on the block, and thereafter no more was + heard of him. Afterwards the Admiral gave forth a few discourses + on the importance of unity and obedience, on the sin of spying + into other people's affairs; and then proceeded, with becoming + solemnity and in the names of God and the Icy Queen, to plunder + Spanish ports and Spanish shipping. Drake believed he was by + God's blessing carrying out a divinely governed destiny, and so + perhaps he was; but it is difficult somewhat to reconcile his + covetousness with his piety. But what is to be said of his Royal + mistress whose crown and realm were saved to her by free + sacrifices of blood and life on the part of thousands of + single-minded men, whom the Royal Lady calmly allowed, after they + had secured her safety and that of England, to starve in peace on + Margate Sands? Times have changed. Were such reward to be meted + to the sailors of to-day after some great period of storm, stress + and national peril had been passed through by virtue of their + prowess, the wrath of the nation might break forth and go near to + sweep away such high-placed callousness for good and all.</p> + + <p>The modern austere critic of the condition of the seamen of + the mercantile marine is somewhat of an infliction. He slays the + present-day sailor with virulent denunciation, and implores + divine interposition to take us back to the good old days of + Hawkins, Drake, Howard, Blake and the intrepid Nelson. He craves + a resurrection of the combined heroism and piety of the sixteenth + and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries. The seaman of + those periods is, to his mind, a lost ideal. And without doubt + the men trained and disciplined by Hawkins and Drake <i>were</i> + the glory of Britain and the terror of other nationalities. Their + seamanship and heroism were matchless. They had desperate work to + do, and they did it with completeness and devotion. And the same + credit may be given to the sailors of still later times under + altered conditions. But Nelson's and Collingwood's men did great + deeds in different ways from those of Hawkins and Drake. Both + sets of seamen were brave and resourceful, but they were made use + of differently, and were drafted from different sources. The + latter were seamen and piratical rovers by choice, and warriors + very often by necessity. They were willing, however, to combine + piety, piracy, and sanguinary conflict in the effort to open out + new avenues of commercial enterprise for the mutual benefit of + themselves and the thrifty lady who sat upon the throne, and who + showed no disinclination to receive her share of the booty + valiantly acquired by her nautical partners.</p> + + <p>The race of men which followed the Trans-Atlantic, Pacific, + and Mexican buccaneers of Cadiz, San Juan and Armada fame has + been different only in so far as transitional circumstances have + made it so. Indeed, the period which elapsed from the time of the + destruction of the Armada up to the end of the eighteenth and the + beginning of the nineteenth century had evolved innumerable + changes in modes of commerce which changed our seamen's + characteristics as well. But although the circumstances of the + sailors' avocation had changed, and they had to adapt themselves + to new customs, there is no justification for the belief that the + men of the sixteenth were any more capable or well behaved than + those of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth + centuries. Nor is it justifiable to assume that because of the + rapid changes which have taken place during the last fifty years + by the introduction of steamers, the seamen who man the steamers + are inferior to those who, a generation before, manned sailing + vessels, or who man what is left of sailing vessels now. The + steamer seamen of to-day are mentally, physically and + mechanically as competent to do the work they are engaged to do + as were any previous race of seamen, and, taking them in the + aggregate, they are better educated than their predecessors and + quite as sober. Their discipline may not be all that could be + desired, but that is not the fault of, nor need it even be + considered a defect in, the seaman himself. It is a defect of the + system they live under, the responsibility for which must rest + with those whose duty it is to train them. It often happens that + those who declaim so cynically against the shortcomings of the + present-day sailor are incompetent to make a suitable selection + of captains and officers who may be entrusted with the task of + establishing proper discipline and training aboard their vessels. + Very frequently the seamen are blamed when the captain and + officers ought to be held responsible. If captains and officers + are not trained properly in their graduating process themselves, + and have not the natural ability to make up for that misfortune + when given the opportunity of control, it is inevitable that + disorder must follow. There are, however, exceptional cases + where, for example, an officer may have been reared in a bad, + disorderly school, and yet has become a capable disciplinarian. + An instance of this kind seldom occurs; but the merchant service + is all the richer for it when it does. It must not be supposed + that I have any intention of defending the faults of our seamen. + I merely desire that some of the responsibility for their faults + and training should be laid on the shoulders of those critics who + shriek unreasonably of their weaknesses, while they do nothing to + improve matters. Many of these gentlemen complain of Jack's + drunken, insubordinate habits, while they do not disapprove of + putting temptation in his way. They complain of him not being + proficient, and at the same time they refuse to undertake the + task of efficient training. They cherish the memory of the good + old times. They speak reverently of the period of flogging, of + rotten and scanty food allowance, of perfidious press-gangs, and + of corrupt bureaucratic tyranny that inflicted unspeakable + torture on the seamen who manned our line of battleships at the + beginning of the century—seamen who were, for the most + part, pressed away from the merchant service.</p> + + <p>In my boyhood days I often used to hear the old sailors who + were fast closing their day of active service say that there were + no sailors nowadays. They had all either been "drowned, killed, + or had died at home and been decently buried." I was impressed in + those days with the opinions of these vain old men, and thought + how great in their profession they must have been. As a matter of + fact, they were no better nor any worse than the men against whom + a whimsical vanity caused them to inveigh. Many years have passed + since I had the honour of sailing with them and many, if not all + of them, may be long since dead; but I sometimes think of them as + amongst the finest specimens of men that ever I was associated + with. Their fine manhood towered over everything that was common + or mean, in spite of their wayward talk.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + + <p>PECULIAR AND UNEDUCATED</p> + + <p>The average seaman of the middle of the nineteenth century, + like his predecessor, was in many respects a cruel animal. To + appearance he was void of every human feeling, and yet behind all + the rugged savagery there was a big and generous heart. The fact + is, this apparent or real callousness was the result of a system, + pernicious in its influence, that caused the successive + generations of seafaring men to swell with vanity if they could + but acquire the reputation of being desperadoes; and this + ambition was not an exclusive possession of those whose education + had been deplorably neglected. It was proudly shared by some of + the best educated men in the service. I do not wish it to be + supposed, however, that many of them had more than a very + ordinary elementary education; but be that as it may, they got + along uncommonly well with the little they had. Mr. Forster's + Educational Bill of 1870, together with Wesleyan Methodism, have + done much to nullify that cultivation of ignorance, once the + peculiar province of the squire and the parson. Amongst other + influences, Board Schools have revolutionised (especially in the + villages and seaport towns) a condition that was bordering on + heathenism, and no class of workmen has benefited more than + seamen by the propaganda which was established by that good + Quaker who spent his best years in hard effort to make it + possible that every English child, no matter how poor, should + have an education.</p> + + <p>At the time of the passing of the Education Act there were + thousands of British lads who were absolutely illiterate (this + does not apply so much to Scottish boys); and there were hundreds + of master-mariners who could neither read nor write, and who had + a genuine contempt for those who could. They held the notion that + learning, as they called it, always carried with it nautical + ignorance and general deterioration; and in some instances the + old salts' opinions seemed amply borne out by palpable blunders + in practical seamanship which were not uncommonly made when the + theoretic seaman or navigator was at work. These shortcomings of + the "learned" were never forgotten or forgiven by the practical + though illiterate seamen.</p> + + <p>Until well into the 'fifties the north-east coast collier + brigs and schooners were usually commanded by this type of + illiterates, and innumerable stories might be told of their + strange methods and grotesque beliefs. The following is a fair + example. The London trade once became congested with tonnage, and + a demand sprang up for Holland, whereupon a well-known brig was + chartered for Rotterdam. She had been so long employed running + along the coast with the land aboard that the charts became + entirely neglected. When the time came to say farewell there was + more than ordinary affection displayed by the relatives of the + crew whose destiny it was to penetrate what they conceived to be + the mysteries of an unexplored East. There were not a few females + who regarded the undertaking as eminently heroic. With + characteristic carelessness the trim craft was rollicked along + the Yorkshire coast until abreast of Flamborough Head, when it + became necessary to take a departure and shape a course for + Rotterdam. She scampered along at the rate of six to seven knots + an hour amid much anxiety among the crew, for a growing terror + had possessed the captain and his mate as they neared the unknown + dangers that were ahead of them. The captain went below and had + begun to unroll the chart which indicated the approaches to his + destination, when he became horrorstruck, and rushing up the + cabin stairs called out, "All hands on deck! Hard, a port!" The + mate excitedly asked, "What's the matter?" "The matter?" said the + infuriated and panic-stricken skipper, "Why the b——y + rats have eaten Holland! There is nee Rotterdam for us, mister, + <i>this</i> voyage." But in spite of a misfortune which seemed + serious, the mate prevailed upon this distinguished person to + allow <i>him</i> to have a share in the navigation, with the + result that the vessel reached the haven to which she was bound + without any mishap whatever.</p> + + <p>It was not unusual for those old-time brigs, when bound to the + North in ballast, to be blown off the land by strong westerly + gales, and these occasions were dreaded by the coasting commander + whose geographical knowledge was so limited that when he found + himself drifting into the German Ocean beyond the sight of land, + his resources became too heavily taxed, and perplexity prevailed. + It was on one of those occasions that a skipper, after many days + of boisterous drifting, remarked to his mate, "I wish our wives + knew where we are this terrible night!"</p> + + <p>"Yes," replied the shrewd officer, with comic candour; "and I + wish to heaven we knew where we are ourselves!"</p> + + <p>Such was the almost opaque ignorance, in spite of which a very + large carrying trade was successfully kept going for + generations.</p> + + <p>The writing of the old-time skipper was so atrocious that it + brought much bad language into the world. One gentleman used to + say that his captain's letters used to go all over the country + before they fell into his hands, and when they did, they were + covered over with "try here" and "try there." Their manners, too, + were aboriginal; and they spoke with an accent which was + terrible. They rarely expressed themselves in a way that would + indicate excessive purity of character. They thought it beneath + the dignity of a man to be of any other profession than that of a + sailor. They disdained showing soft emotion, and if they shook + hands it was done in an apologetic way. The gospel of pity did + not enter into their creed. Learning, as they called it, was a + bewilderment to them; and yet some of those eccentric, + half-savage beings could be entrusted with valuable property, and + the negotiation of business involving most intricate handling. + Sometimes in the settlement of knotty questions they used their + own peculiar persuasiveness, and if that was not convincing, they + indicated the possibility of physical force—which was + usually effectual, especially with Levantines. Here is an + instance: one of the latter plethoric gentlemen, with an air of + aggrieved virtue, accused a captain of unreasonableness in asking + him to pay up some cash which was "obviously an overcharge." The + skipper in his rugged way demanded the money and the clearance of + his vessel. The gentlemen who at this time inhabited the banks of + the Danube could not be made to part with money without some + strong reasons for doing so. The Titanic and renowned captain, + having exhausted a vocabulary that was awful to listen to, + proceeded to lock the office door on the inside. That having been + satisfactorily done, he proceeded to unrobe himself of an article + of apparel; which movement, under certain conditions, is always + suggestive of coming trouble. The quick brain of the Levantine + gentleman saw in the bellicose attitude assumed possibilities of + great bodily harm and suffering to himself; on which he became + effusively apologetic, and declaimed with vigorous gesticulation + against the carelessness of his "account clerk who had committed + a glaring error, such as justified his immediate dismissal!" That + stalwart hero of many rights had not appealed in vain. He got his + money and his clearance, and made a well-chosen and impressive + little speech on the wisdom of honest dealing. His convert for + the time being became much affected, declaring that he had never + met with a gentleman whose words had made such a strange + impression on him!</p> + + <p>This then was the kind of creature who wrought into its + present shapes and aspects England's Mercantile Marine. In + carrying out his destiny he lashed about him with something of + the elemental aimlessness of his mother the sea. The next chapter + will show how the captain of to-day grew up and, literally, got + licked into his present form at the rough and cruel hands of the + old-time skipper.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + + <p>A CABIN-BOY'S START AT SEA</p> + + <p>During recent years I have had the opportunity of listening to + many speeches on nautical subjects. Some of them have not only + been instructive but interesting, inasmuch as they have often + enabled me to get a glimpse into the layman's manner of thinking + on these questions. It invariably happens, however, that + gentlemen, in their zeal to display maritime knowledge, commit + the error of dealing with a phase of it that carries them into + deep water; their vocabulary becomes exhausted, and they speedily + breathe their last in the oft-repeated tale that the + "old-fashioned sailor is an extinct creature," and, judging from + the earnest vehemence that is thrown into it, they convey the + impression that their dictum is to be understood as emphatically + original. Well, I will let that go, and will merely observe how + distressingly superficial the knowledge is as to the rearing, + training, and treatment which enabled those veterans to become + envied heroes to us of the present day. Much entered into their + lives that might be usefully emulated by the seamen of our own + time. Their unquestionable skill and hardihood were acquired by a + system of training that would have out-matched the severity of + the Spartan, and they endured it with Spartan equanimity. A + spasmodic growl was the only symptom of a rebellious spirit. The + maritime historian who undertakes to write accurately the history + of this strange society of men will find it a strain on the + imagination to do them all the justice they deserve. Their lives + were illuminated with all that is manly and heroic and skilful. + They had no thought of cruelty, and yet they were very + cruel—that is, if they are to be judged by the standard of + the present age; but in this let us pass sentence on them with + moderation, and even with indulgence. The magnitude of the deeds + they were accustomed to perform can never be fully estimated now, + and these should excuse to some extent many of their clumsy and + misguided modes of operation. It must not be supposed that all + these men were afflicted by a demoniac spirit. It was their + training that blanketed the sympathetic side of them, until they + unconsciously acquired all the peremptory disposition of Oriental + tyrants. But the stories I am about to relate of childlife aboard + ship will show how difficult it is entirely to pardon or excuse + them. The blood runs chilly at the thought of it, and you feel + your mind becoming impregnated with the spirit of murder.</p> + + <p>No personage ever attracted so much attention and sympathy + outside the precincts of his contracted though varied sphere of + labour as the cabin-boy who served aboard the old sailing brigs, + schooners, and barques, and I must plead guilty to having a + sentimental regret that the romance was destroyed through this + attractive personality being superseded by another, with the + somewhat unattractive title of "cook and steward." The story of + how poor boys of the beginning and middle of the century and + right up to the latter part of the 'sixties started sea-life is + always romantic, often sensational, and ever pathetic. They were + usually the sons of poor parents living for the most part in + obscure villages or small towns bordering on the sea, which sea + blazed into their minds aspirations to get aboard some one of the + numerous vessels that passed their homes one way or the other all + day long. The notion of becoming anything but sailors never + entered their heads, and the parents were usually proud of this + ambition, and quite ready to allow their offspring to launch out + into the world while they were yet little more than children. It + very frequently happened, however, that boys left their homes + unknown to their families, and tramped to the nearest seaport + with the object of engaging themselves aboard ship, and they + nearly always found some skipper or owner to take them. Swarms of + Scotch and Norfolk boys were attracted to the Northumberland + ports by the higher rate of wages. Many of them had to tramp it + all the long way from home, and quite a large number of them + became important factors in the shipping trade of the district. + It was a frequent occurrence to see a poor child-boy passing + through the village where I was brought up, on his way from + Scotland to Blyth, or the Tyne, his feet covered with sores, and + carrying a small bundle containing a shirt, a pair of stockings, + and flannel pants. This was his entire outfit. My mother never + knowingly allowed any of these poor little wanderers to pass + without bringing them to our home. They were promptly supplied + with bread and milk while the big tub was got ready so that they + might be bathed. They were then provided with night clothing and + put to bed while she had their own clothes washed, and mended if + need be (they always required washing); they were then sent on + their journey with many petitions to God for their safety and + welfare. Some of the villagers were curious to know why this + gratuitous hospitality was given to unknown passers-by, and my + mother satisfied their curiosity by pointing to her own children, + and remarking, "Don't we live within the sound of the sea? and I + wish to do by these poor children that which I should like some + one to do by mine if it ever should come to pass that they need + it." Little did she suspect when these words were uttered that + one of her own sons was so soon to be travelling in an opposite + direction in quest of a cabin-boy's berth.</p> + + <p>One of the most touching memories of sweetness comes to me + now. It was a chill winter afternoon; a little boy stood out on + the common fronting our house; the customary bundle was under his + arm, and he was singing in a sweet treble these words, with a + strong Scotch accent:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"A beggar man came over the lea<br /></span> + <span class="i3">Wi' many a story to tell unto + me.<br /></span> <span class="i1">'I'm asking for some + charitie,<br /></span> <span class="i3">Can ye lodge a beggar + man?'"<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The charm of his silken, childish voice quickly attracted + attention. He was put through the usual catechism by my parents, + and this being satisfactory, he fell into my mother's hands to + undergo the customary feeding and bathing operations. One of the + questions my father put to him was why he sang "The beggar man." + He said they told him at home that he could sing well, and as he + had learnt this song he thought it might serve the purpose of + bringing him succour, as he was very tired and very hungry. He + was the son of a peasant farmer on the outskirts of Kirkaldy in + the Firth of Forth, and had walked the whole distance, his object + being to apprentice himself to some shipowner. This he succeeded + in doing; and many years after, when he had worked his way into a + position, he made himself known to me by recalling the occasion + when he sang his way into our home.</p> + + <p>By the seaside on the coast of Northumberland, there stands + one of the prettiest little villages in all England. Tacked on to + the north and south end of it there are two stretches of sand + unequalled in their clear glossy beauty. It was from this spot + that a boy of twelve summers, smitten with a craze for the sea, + secretly left his home one December morning at three o'clock with + the object of becoming a sailor. He made his way to the beach, + walked to a seaport, and after much persuasive eloquence in which + he recklessly pledged himself to impossible undertakings, the + negotiations were ratified by his being told by a burly skipper + of the old school that though he was very small, yet seeing he + exhibited such eagerness for the fray, he would look over that, + to which the seaman in embryo promptly replied, "But, sir, I will + grow bigger." And the weather-beaten old mariner responded, "I + hope you will; but mind, you'll have to work."</p> + + <p>The poor child, fearful lest any hitch should come in the way, + assured him that he could work very hard, and that he could run + up aloft, as he had tried it aboard a schooner which came once a + year to his home with coals for the squire. He was anxious that + his accomplishments should be tested without delay. His future + commander interjected that he would sign his indentures the + following week, which was done, after communication with the + boy's family; and he proceeded aboard with his kit made up of the + following articles. I give this, as it may be useful to parents + who have boys going to sea:—</p> + + <p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Box.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Go-ashore suit.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">2 Suits of working + clothes.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Suit of oilskins.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Pair of sea-boots.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Pair of shoes.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">3 Changes of + flannels.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">6 Pairs of + stockings.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">2 Mufflers.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">4 Towels.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">3 Coloured flannel + shirts.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Bar of soap.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">6 Collars, 2 + neckties.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">2 Pillow-slips.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Bed and full set of + bedding.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">2 Caps.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Canvas bag.</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">1 Ditty bag well stored with + needles, thread,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 3em;">buttons, thimble, worsted to darn + stockings, and</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 3em;">cloth to patch worn or torn + clothes.</span><br /></p> + + <p>This outfit is quite ample, and is more than double what some + poor boys had to start life with; indeed, scores of them had to + depend on what their first quarter's wages would provide for + them. In many country homes boys were taught, as this boy was, + sewing, darning, and even washing. The knowledge of it cannot eat + anything, and it is immensely useful to have it. This might be + commended to present-day parents in town and country who have + lads to send out into the world. There is no loss of dignity in + being able to do something for yourself in the event of being too + poor to pay for having it done for you. A more exhilarating sight + could not be witnessed than that of sailors and sailor boys + sitting sewing their clothes or doing their week's washing.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 322px;"> + <a name="fp024" id="fp024"></a> <img src="images/fp024.jpg" + width="322" height="383" alt="TARRING THE MAINMAST STAY" title= + "TARRING THE MAINMAST STAY" /> <b>TARRING THE MAINMAST STAY</b> + </div> + + <p>I have said the initial training and experiences of a + cabin-boy were not only harsh but oft-times brutal. No allowance + was made for his tender years. The gospel of pity did not enter + into the lives of either the captains, officers, or men. He was + expected to learn without being taught, and if he did not come up + to their standard of intelligence, his poor little body was made + to suffer for it. This happened more or less to every boy, and + our new recruit was not made an exception. He was given to + understand that certain duties devolved upon him. The language + perplexed his little brain. He had heard nothing like it before, + but he determined to avail himself of every opportunity of + learning. His inquisitiveness was a trouble to the men; they + rebuked him for bothering them; but by steady plodding he began + to learn the names of the multiplicity of ropes, and the + different things he would have to do when the vessel put to sea. + He was ordered to have the side lights trimmed ready for + lighting, the day before sailing (a very wise precaution which + should always be adhered to). This was done, and although the wee + laddie had only been four days amidst a whirl of things that were + strange to him, he seemed to think that he had acquired + sufficient knowledge to justify him in believing that he had + mastered the situation. He wrote home a detailed account of his + doings, and complicated matters by using phrases that were not + commonly heard or understood in quiet villages far away from the + hum of seaports. The family were sent into consternation by the + description of his climbing experiences, and an extra petition + for his safe-keeping was offered up when the time for family + devotions came. No more was heard of him for many months. His + experiences had become more real and fuller ere the next letter + came. On the fifth day after he had embarked the tug came + alongside, the tow-rope was handed aboard, and the vessel towed + out of dock to sea. Night was coming on, and the boy was ordered + to light the side lamps; he was in the act of doing this when the + pitching of the vessel afflicted him with strange sensations, and + in spite of a strong resistance he suddenly parted with his last + meal into the lamps. The misfortune gave the captain more concern + than the cabin-boy, who was in the condition that makes one feel + that all earthly joys have passed away from you for evermore, and + drowning would be a happy relief from the agony of it. Needless + to say, he was soundly trounced for the misadventure; handy odds + and ends were thrown at him; he was reminded of his daring + promises on the eve of engagement, and an impassioned oration was + delivered on the curse of engaging "useless rubbish who could not + guide their stomachs when they got to sea." His troubles had + begun. The flow of curses, which he now heard for the first time + in his life, cut deeply into his little soul, and made him long + to be landed, so that he might even wash doorsteps for a living + rather than be subjected to such coarse abuse. Ah, but there was + worse to come. This was merely a rude awakening. Could he have + seen into the series of hardships and cruelties that lay in front + of him, he might have deemed it better to close his desolating + troubles by allowing the waves which swept over the vessel (as + she was scudded along by the screaming wind) to bear him + overboard into the dark.</p> + + <p>Home-sickness or sentimental sensations were soon made to + disappear by the busy life and rough, barbaric discipline + enforced. First-voyage impressions live long in the memory. If + they were not thrashed into permanent recollection, they were + bullied or tortured into it by revolting methods of wrong which + were recognised at that time in England to be legal. To their + shame be it said, but how often have I heard men who had sprung + from the masses and abject poverty, and who had succeeded in + getting into position (so far as money would allow them to do + so), deplore the introduction of a larger educational system and + the enactment of more rigid laws to provide against a despotism + that had become a national disgrace! And it was not until a few + demoniacs had committed hideous murder, and were hung for it, + that the legislature took the trouble to inquire into what was + going on upon the high seas—nay, at times even before their + very eyes.</p> + + <p>One duty of a young sailor is to tar down the fore and aft + stays. At any time and under any circumstances this was a + precarious undertaking, and yet these fine young athletes would + undertake it quite joyously, provided it was called for in the + ordinary course of their duty, and there was no intimation or + suspicion of it being intended as a "work-up" job, as they called + it. The main and mizen stays stretched from mast to mast; the + fore stays were more perpendicular, as they stretched from the + masts to the jib-boom and bowsprit. It was usual to have a + boatswain's chair to sit and be lowered down in while tarring + these stays. Some mates disdained pampering youths with a luxury + of this kind, so disallowed it, and caused them to sit in a + bowlin' bight instead. But the most villainous thing of all was + when a boy for a mere technical offence, perhaps, indeed, no + offence at all, would be ordered to ride a stay down without + either chair or bowlin'. The tar-pot was held in one hand, the + tarring was done with the other, and the holding on was managed + by a process of clinging with the legs and body as they slid + along in a marvellously skilful way; and woe to the unhappy + culprit who allowed any drops of tar to fall on the decks or + paint-work! Sometimes these lads lost their balance and fell with + their bodies under the stay, and failed to right themselves; in + that case they had to slide down to where the stay was set up, + get on top of it again, and climb up to where they had left off + tarring. They were not allowed, even if they could have done so, + to ride over the painted portion by sliding over it. Occasionally + there occurred fatal falls, but this was a rare thing. I remember + losing my balance while riding down a main top-gallant stay. The + tar-pot fell to the deck, and I very nearly accompanied it. There + was much commotion caused by this mishap, as part of the contents + of the bucket had splashed on the covering board and + white-painted bulwarks. The exhibition of grief was far-reaching. + The captain and his devoted officers made a great noise at me; + they asked with passionate emotion why I didn't let my body fall + instead—"there would have been less mischief done," said + they! Of course they did not mean that exactly, though to the + uninitiated it would have seemed uncommonly like it. The + indications of combined grief and fearful swearing might have + meant anything of a violent nature. I could not be disrated, as I + was only a cabin-boy, but a substitutionary penalty was invoked + against me. The chief officer, who had a voice and an eye that + indicated whiskey, was a real artist in profane language. He + vowed that as sure as "Hell was in Moses" I would never become + worthy the name of a British sailor. This outburst of alcoholic + eloquence touched me keenly, and ever since that time I have + wondered wherein this original gentleman saw connection between + the great Hebrew law-giver and the nether regions.</p> + + <p>The cabin-boy's duties were not only numerous, but arduous. + Under serious physical penalties he had to keep the cabin, its + lamps and brass-work clean, and wash the towels and table-cloths. + (The latter were usually made of canvas.) The skipper's and + mate's beds had to be made, and washing done for them; small + stores such as coffee, tea, sugar, biscuits, &c., were under + the combined care of him and the commander. In addition to this, + he had to keep all the deck brass-work shining; keep his watch + and look-out; and, when he had learned how to steer, take his + trick at the helm. If any of the small sails, such as royals, + top-gallant sails, main top-gallant stay-sail, or flying jib had + to be taken in, he was expected to be the first to spring into + the rigging or along the jib-boom to do it, provided it was his + watch on deck. It was really a sensational sight to witness these + mannikins spinning up aloft and handling the flapping sail. I + wonder now that more of them did not come to grief because of the + stupid aversion many of the skippers had to allowing them to pass + through what is known as the lubber hole—that is, a hole in + the main-and fore-tops leading to the top-mast rigging. + Occasionally both men and boys would lose their hold and fall on + the rail, and be smashed to pieces. Sometimes they struck the + rail, were killed outright, and then fell into the sea. And this + is not to be wondered at when it is considered that their bodies + were at right angles to the mast while passing over the round top + from the main to the top-mast rigging. The mortality from this + cause was, however, very small; such accidents generally occurred + on cold, icy days or nights, when the hands had become benumbed. + Yet it was amazing how these mere children managed to hold on at + any time. But that is not all. If the vessel had to be tacked, it + was the cabin-boy's duty to let go the square mainsail sheet when + "tacks and sheets" was called; and when the order was given to + "mainsail haul," that is, swing the main yard round, he had to + haul in the opposite main sheet; and if he did not get it in so + that the foot of the mainsail came tight up against the foremain + shroud before the sail filled, he got into grievous trouble. If + the vessel was at anchor in a roadstead, he had to keep his + two-hour anchor watch the same as the rest of the crew. In + beating up narrow channels such as the Swin, he was put in the + main-chains to heave the lead and sing the soundings, and the + sweet child-voiced refrain mingled with the icy gusts, which + oft-times roared through the rigging whilst the cold spray smote + and froze on him. Never a kind word of encouragement was allowed + to cheer the brave little fellow, and his days and nights were + passed in isolation until he was old enough and courageous enough + to assert himself. The only peace that ever solaced him was when + his watch below came, and he laid his poor weary head and body in + the hammock. If the vessel was in port, and the shore easy of + access, it was he who had to scull the captain ashore, and wait + for him in the cold, still, small hours in the morning, until the + pleasures of grog and the relating of personal experiences had + been exhausted. If the boy were asleep when the skipper came + down, he got a knock on the head, and was entertained to a + selection of oaths which poured forth until he got alongside the + vessel. He was then told with strong manifestations of dignity to + pass the painter aft; this done, he was rope-ended for having + slept.</p> + + <p>If the vessel were anchored in a roadstead, and the captain + had to be rowed ashore, he had to be one of the crew of four, he + pulling the bow oar, and, as soon as the rest landed, he was left + in charge of the boat. The sequel to an incident of this kind is + one of the most gruesome in the annals of maritime life. The + captain of a vessel, anchored in Elsinore Roads, was rowed into + the harbour. The crew of the boat were told that he would require + them at 10.30 that night. The cabin-boy was left in charge, and + the two A.B.'s and the oldest apprentice proceeded to a + grog-shop, where they became more or less intoxicated. The + captain had ordered a keg of gin to the boat, and at midnight he + ordered the men to go off to the vessel with it, and come for him + in the morning. They did not wish to go, as there was a strong + south wind and current in the sound, but the captain insisted, + and they went, with the result that the boat was picked up the + following day covered with ice, and four dead bodies were the + ghastly occupants of it.</p> + + <p>Well nigh two years had passed away since our young friend + planted his feet for the first time aboard ship. He had sailed + far and learned much. The treatment he had been accustomed to + made strong impressions on him; and he determined to emancipate + himself from such tyranny the first opportunity he had; so that, + when his vessel glided into a lovely landlocked harbour on the + north-west coast of Ireland one bleak winter morning, his plan of + escape having been secretly formed and kept, he determined to put + it into force as soon as it was discreet to do so.</p> + + <p>All hands having been paid off, excepting the mate and three + apprentices, the task of cooking fell upon the cabin-boy. He + always had to do this when in a home port; that was another of + his many functions, and not the least of them, which caused him + very frequently to come to grief, though this young man had been + impressed with the importance of learning to cook, amongst other + things, long before he left home, so that, as a rule, he got + along fairly well whenever it became his duty to work up a plain + meal, which usually consisted of soup and doboys, that is, small + dumplings boiled in the soup with the beef. A double-decker + sea-pie was not only a favourite mess, but was considered even a + luxury at that time, and most sailor-boys could cook it. It was + made in a large pan or in the galley coppers, and consisted of + the following ingredients: A layer of potatoes, small pieces of + beef and onions well seasoned with pepper and salt, and covered + over with water; then a deck of paste with a hole in the middle + to allow the water to have free access, then more potatoes, beef, + onions, and kidney, and then the final deck of paste, and a + suitable amount of water were added. It was quite a common thing + whilst these exploits of cookery were going on, for the skinflint + skipper to stand over the boy, and if he detected him taking too + thick a skin from the potato, he was lucky if he got off with a + severe reprimand. It was usually an open-handed blow, intended + sternly to enforce economy. Well, the vessel had been in port + four days, and many acquaintances had been made by the cabin-boy, + who had given his confidences to a select few. He was invited to + go to a wake one night by the son of a gentleman who kept a shoe + shop. This was an uproarious evening, from which he gathered new + experiences. As he was ashore at liberty he deemed it prudent to + be punctual in going on board. On getting on deck the master, who + was standing on the poop, called him to him, and desired to know + where he had been, and why he was ashore so late. He replied that + he was not late, but aboard at the time his liberty had expired, + and that he had been at a wake. The poor man nearly expired on + the spot! He gasped in a screeching sort of tone, "A wake? You + damned young hemp! And your father a Protestant! I'll learn you + to go to a wake! I'll teach you to disgrace your family and + myself! No more shore for you, sir!"</p> + + <p>And for the purpose of emphasising his displeasure the + inevitable rope's-end was freely used, to the accompaniment of + language that did not bear the impress of a saintly condition of + mind, though he obviously derived comfort from the thought that + he was upholding the dignity and traditions of the true + Protestant faith. As soon as his conscience was appeased, he + asked the Almighty's forgiveness for having used profane + language, and ordered the boy to go to bed! He went to bed, but + not to sleep; the result of his musings on these everlasting + bullyings and thrashings was that at two o'clock in the morning + he had packed all his bits of belongings into a bag, and woke an + apprentice with whom he was on very cordial terms, to say goodbye + before embarking on a new and unknown career. He had resolved to + run away and conceal himself until the vessel had sailed, and + then ship aboard an American barque which was in port. The other + boy pleaded for him not to risk it, but his mind was made up. He + would stand the insufferable tyranny no longer, and he went. He + had anticipated what was going to happen by previously informing + a well-to-do tradesman of his troubles and intentions, and so + excited the sympathy of his wife and daughter as well as his own + that they assured him of their hospitality and aid in carrying + out the scheme of desertion. They admitted him into their home as + soon as he presented himself, and he was treated with true + Hibernian hospitality. The chief mate of the American barque was + courting the daughter, a handsome young woman, whom he ultimately + married. She was very solicitous in the poor lad's behalf, and it + was decided that he should have a berth on the mate's ship, and + in the presence of the youth she easily extracted a pledge from + her lover that he would have him kindly treated. He felt in all + probability the acme of joy in serving this amiable female, but + soon there came one of those accidents that break the current of + human affairs. The boy thought he was safe after dark in paying a + visit to the vessel he had practically shipped to serve aboard + of, and took every precaution to avoid attracting attention. He + had nearly got alongside when a hand was laid on his shoulder, + and a kindly voice proclaimed him a prisoner. He was at first + startled, but soon recovered self-possession, and seeing the + gentleman was in plain clothes he demanded his right to + interfere.</p> + + <p>"This is my right," said he, showing a piece of paper, "and I + may as well tell you that I am a detective, and have shadowed the + house you are living in for several days. You must come with me. + Your vessel is on the point of sailing, and I have instructions + to take you aboard."</p> + + <p>The boy appealed to the officer not to take him, as he would + only run away at the first port again. The officer protested that + he must do his duty; but, as he desired to say goodbye to the + kind people who had given him shelter, he would stretch his + instructions by taking him to them. They were deeply moved at the + sight of the little culprit, and bade him an affectionate adieu. + He and his clothes were given up to the irate captain, who + received him with cold acknowledgment, and he was soon sailing + towards a port in Scotland. After a quick run the vessel was + docked and moored ready to receive cargo. The captain had been + sullenly reticent on the passage. He spoke occasionally of base + ingratitude and the extinction of the race, and how the object of + his displeasure would be remembered when he got him into deep + water again, and that he would teach him a salutary lesson for + having broken his indentures and seeking refuge under the roof of + an Irish Jesuit! Apart from these incoherent mutterings nothing + of serious moment transpired. By way of preliminary chastisement, + the boy was ordered to scrape the main-royal and top-gallant mast + down during his watch below in the daytime, and neither the + masts, nor the yards attached to them, received any real benefit + by this blockheaded notion of punishment. It is said, indeed, + that they suffered materially. The fact of deriving pleasure by + inflicting a cruel act on a mere child is hideous to think of, + but in those days these uncultured, half-savage creatures were + allowed all the powers of a monarch, and disdained the commonest + rights of humanity. The captain was said to have expressed a + sense of pride in what he termed the smart capture of his erring + apprentice, and some talk was heard of the contemplated exploits + of drilling after sailing again. Poor man! He was never to have + the opportunity of gratifying an ignoble desire, for the night + after the vessel's arrival the youthful incorrigible disembarked + with a vow that he would never return to her again; and he kept + his word. Could those fields and lanes in Scotland speak out the + thoughts and the sufferings of the days that were spent there, + what an ineffable record of woe they would lay bare!</p> + + <p>Tramping by night, and concealed part of the way by day, this + child of respectable parents was driven by cruel wrong to abandon + himself to the privations of hunger, the rigour of a biting + climate, and to the chance of his strength giving way before he + had reached the destination that was to open out newer and + brighter opportunities to him. Four weeks after deserting his + vessel he landed at a large seaport on the north-east coast of + England, and then began a new era. For many years he led a + chequered and eventful life, which, however, did not prevent him + from rising quickly to the head of his profession. Before he was + twenty-two years of age he was given the command of a handsome + sailing vessel, and at twenty-six he commanded a steamer. He had + not seen his old captain for many years, though he often desired + to do so. One day he came across him in London, and addressed him + with the same regard to quarter-deck etiquette as he was + accustomed to observe when a boy under his command. The old man + liked it, and he observed with a quiver in his speech, "I am glad + to notice that you have not forgotten what I took so much pains + to learn you." His pupil assured him that he had not forgotten + anything he had been taught, and especially the duty he owed to + his old commander. The veteran was touched with the display of + loyalty and the mark of respect shown him. There seemed to be an + accumulation of recollections passing through his mind as he + hesitatingly said, "I used to knock you about a good deal, but it + was all for your good, and to teach you proper discipline." He + was assured that everything of an unpleasant character had been + shut out of the mind, so they parted with feelings of mutual + cordiality. Some years had elapsed, when the young commander + landed in a port in Denmark. A gentleman whom he knew told him a + sad story of an English captain who had just died in the hospital + under distressing circumstances. His illness had been brought on + by his own excesses, complications set in, and after a few days' + illness, he passed, through the valley of the shadow of death + into Eternity. His bodily sufferings had been great, and his + lonely desolation caused him unspeakable anguish. Death relieved + him of both, and he was put to rest in a plain deal coffin. The + vessels in port hoisted their flags half-mast, and a few seamen + followed his remains to the tomb. The following day his old + apprentice, whom he had driven from his presence thirteen years + before, had two weeping willows planted at each end of the grave + to mark the spot where his erring master rests; and he has + visited it many times since.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + + <p>THE SEAMAN'S SUPERSTITIONS</p> + + <p>The seamen of the fifties and sixties were grievously + superstitious. They viewed sailing on a Friday with undisguised + displeasure; and attributed many of their disasters when on a + voyage to this unholy act. I have known men leave their vessel + rather than sail on a Friday. The owner of a vessel who did not + regard this as a part of the orthodox faith was voted outside the + pale of compassion. Then it was a great breach of nautical morals + to whistle when the wind was howling, and singing in such + circumstances was promptly prohibited. If perchance bad weather + was encountered immediately after leaving port, and it was + continuous, the forecastle became the centre of righteous + discussion and intrigue, in order that the reason for this might + be arrived at, and due punishment inflicted on the culprit who + was found to be the cause of all their sorrows. They would look + upon gales and mishaps, no matter how unimportant, as tokens of + Divine wrath sent as a punishment for the sin of some one of them + not having, for example, paid a debt of honour before sailing. + The guilty person or persons were soon identified, even if they + attempted to join in the secret investigation, and the penalty of + being ostracised was rigidly enforced. It was a hard fate, which + sometimes continued the whole voyage, especially if no redeeming + features presented themselves. The sailor's calling makes + superstition a part of his nature. The weird moaning of the wind + suggests to him at times saintly messages from afar; and he is + easily lost in reverie. He holds sweet converse with souls that + have long since passed into another sphere, but the hallucinary + charm causes him to fix his faith in the belief that they are + hovering about him, so that he may convey to them some message to + transmit to those friends or relatives who are the objects of his + devout veneration. Yet he ceases to be a sentimentalist when duty + calls him to face the realities of life. An order to shorten sail + transforms him at once into another being. He usually swears with + refined eloquence on unexpected occasions, when a sudden order + draws him from visionary meditation. Dreams, which may be the + creation of indigestible junk—that is, salt beef which may + have been round the Horn a few times—are realities: + privileged communications from a mystic source. There is great + vying with each other in the relation of some grotesque nightmare + fancy, which may have lasted the twentieth part of a second, but + which takes perhaps a quarter of an hour to repeat; traverses + vast space in a progression of hideous tragedy and calamitous + shipwreck; and is served up with increased profusion of detail + when the history of the passage is manuscripted to their homes + and to their lovers. Here is an instance of this mania in an + unusually exaggerated form. For obvious reasons it is undesirable + that the name of the vessel, or the captain, should be mentioned + here. The captain had a dream, or, as he stated, a vision, when + off Cape Horn bound to Valparaiso in a barque belonging to a + South Wales port. The vessel had been tossed about for days with + nothing set but close reefed topsails, amid the angry storming + and churning of liquid mountains. One midnight, when eight bells + had been struck to call the middle watch, there suddenly appeared + on the poop the commander, who was known to be a man of God. He + gave the order to hard up the helm and make sail. When she came + before the wind the crew were puzzled to know the cause of this + strange proceeding, and their captain did not keep them long in + doubt. He called all hands aft, and when they had mustered he + began: "Men, you know I believe in God and His Christ. The latter + has appeared to me in a vision, and told me that I must sail + right back to where we came from; and if I hesitate or refuse to + obey the command the ship and all the crew will perish." The crew + were awestruck; the captain's statement gave rise to vivid + stories of presentiments; while the luckless craft scampered back + to the port where the unsuspecting owner dwelt. In due course the + vessel arrived in the roads. A tug came alongside, and the + captain was greeted in the orthodox nautical style. The + supernatural tale was unfolded and the tug proceeded to convey + the news of the arrival of the <i>T——</i>. The owner + would have fallen on the neck of his captain had he been near. He + wept with uncontrollable joy. His feelings swept him into + ecstasies of generosity. Gifts of an unusual character for + captains to receive were to be conferred upon him, and the owner + longed for the flow of the tide so that his sentiments towards + him might be conveyed in person. "Ah," said he, "how often have I + said that Captain M—— was the smartest man that ever + sailed from a British port! Just fancy, to make the voyage out + and home in two and a half months! It is phenomenal!"</p> + + <p>The master of the tug gaped at this local magnate in wonder, + and thought that sudden lunacy had seized him. He blurted out, + "Surely, Mr. J——, you have not lost your reason over + this terrible misfortune?"</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 310px;"> + <a name="fp042" id="fp042"></a> <img src="images/fp042.jpg" + width="310" height="469" alt="TELLING HIS FORTUNE" title= + "TELLING HIS FORTUNE" /> <b>TELLING HIS FORTUNE</b> + </div> + + <p>"Terrible misfortune?" repeated the impassioned owner. "Is it + a terrible misfortune to make a West Coast voyage within three + months?"</p> + + <p>"No," said the burly tug master, "I now see you do not + apprehend the position. I didn't care to say to you that the + captain had a vision off Cape Horn which decided him to return to + this port."</p> + + <p>"What?" said the almost speechless potentate. "A vision? Back + here, without being to Valparaiso? My God!—I will never get + over it!"</p> + + <p>And in truth he nearly collapsed, business, body, and soul, + over the matter.</p> + + <p>The vessel was brought into the harbour. The sanctified + skipper did not receive the promised gifts! The vessel sailed in + a few days without him for the same destination; and until a few + years since he could be seen any day walking the quay, still + holding to the belief that it was the Divine will he had carried + out. This faith was strengthened by the vessel never having been + heard of again after sailing the second time. I never heard of + the owner showing any vindictiveness to the poor captain, who + was, no doubt, the victim of a strange hallucination.</p> + + <p>It would be unfair to impute a monopoly of superstition to the + seafarer. Sailors have superstitions which are not now + exclusively theirs, though they may have been the originators of + them; for instance, placing a loaf of bread upside down, spilling + the salt (and nullifying the mischief by throwing a few grains + over the left shoulder); these, as well as the leaving of stray + leaves and stalks in teacups are considered sure indications of + past or coming events, even by the large and enlightened public + who pass their lives on dry land. There are few things more + comical than to see the nautical person studiously avoid passing + under a shore ladder. The penalty of it has a terror for him; and + yet his whole life is spent in passing to and fro under rope + ladders aboard ship without any suspicion of evil consequences. + But the landsman's belief in mystic tokens and flighty safeguards + is faint indeed compared with that which permeates and saturates + the mind of the typical sailor. A gentleman with whom I was long + and closely associated held definite opinions on symbolic + apparitions. His faith in black cats was immovable; but this only + extended to those who actually crossed his path, and to him that + was a sign indicative of good fortune. I have seen him go into + ecstasies of joy over an incident of this kind; and woe unto the + person who interrupted the current of his happiness. He would + curse him with amazing fluency until resentment choked the power + of expression. This same human phenomenon was, in early life, + shipwrecked on one of the hidden shoals with which the north-east + coast abounds, at the very moment when he was taking from the + girdle in the galley a hot cake he had baked in celebration of + his birthday, and as a precaution against future calamities he + ever after wore the left foot stocking outside in; and although + he has passed through many dangers which nearly ended in + disaster, he has never again been shipwrecked. Hence his faith is + unbroken in the protecting virtue of this mode of wearing that + article of dress, and so is his reverent belief in black cats as + charms against evil fortune. I have never known a person with a + larger sense of genuine humour than this man possessed, and yet + one could never appear to slight <i>his</i> peculiar + superstitions without producing a paroxysm of fury in him. He + would watch for the appearance of a new moon with touching + anxiety, and although his finances were very frequently in a + precarious condition, he never allowed himself to be without the + proverbial penny to turn over under the new moon as a panacea + against hidden pecuniary ills! If, in sailor parlance, a star + "dogged the moon," that was to him a disturbing omen, and great + caution had to be observed that no violation of nautical ethics + took place during the transit. It was never regarded as a + transit, but as a "sign" from which evil <i>might</i> be + evolved.</p> + + <p>Amidst all this singular piety in externals (for it was really + a species of piety), this typical sailor never gave up his belief + in the efficacy of strong language, which, among the worst of his + class, was frequently indescribable; and the more eloquent he was + in the utterance of oaths the larger became his conviction that + he possessed a gift not to be acquired by mere tuition. Many + years ago, when I was a very small apprentice boy aboard a brig + we had a steward who was also a sailor of no common ability. His + career had been a long one of varied villainy, he impersonating + alternately a parson and a rich shipowner. In the latter + <i>rôle</i> he succeeded in getting large advances of money + from unsuspecting store, sail, and rope dealers—taking + advantage of a trade-custom which prevails in every port, in + return for which he gave orders, which caused the favoured firms + to be looked upon with envy. They were requested to have these + supplies put aboard four days after the order was given; and the + penalty for not being able to do so was to be the loss of a very + valuable connection. There was much condescension on the part of + the bounteous customer, who "would call again in two days," and + much thanking and bowing and shaking of hands on the part of the + recipients when the time came to say "Good-day." The stores were + duly sent to the docks where the vessels were lying, but the real + owners did not recognise the person who had given the order as + having any connection with them, whereupon an unhappy dawn broke + over the minds of the unsuspecting victims. Many months elapsed + before the gentleman in question was apprehended and confronted + by the tradesmen to whom he owed a period of blissful + dissipation. Needless to say the meeting was not so cordial as + the parting, though a lack of cordiality could not be charged + against the improvised shipowner. Indeed, to the great discomfort + of his former friends, as soon as an opportunity was given him, + from his position in the prisoners' dock, he saluted them with + playful familiarity; but this did not prevent him being sent to + penal servitude. He had played many other <i>rôles</i> + under many names, but it was as a parson he prided himself in + having met with success by the startling number of conversions + that attended his efforts. He belonged to a respectable and + well-known family, and their anxiety to have him reclaimed from + the vices that had produced for them so much sorrow induced them + to prevail on his brother-in-law, who was master of a brig, to + take him under his special care; so he was appointed as steward, + and thereby given the opportunity of spoiling much valuable food, + and causing grievous dissension among the crew.</p> + + <p>This loathsome creature could only be appealed to through his + superstitions, and even the young apprentice boys soon discovered + his weakness, and terrorised him whenever they got the chance. + One awful morning in November, 1864, the vessel was hove-to under + close-reefed main topsail. All hands had been on deck during the + whole night, which was one of raging storm and disaster. The + decks had been swept, and the galley carried away in the general + destruction, so that no food could be cooked on deck. The captain + gave orders to the steward to light a fire in the cabin stove, + and make coffee for all hands. He proceeded to do this. The + matches, however, had suffered in the commotion of the night, and + would not ignite. After many futile efforts the steward's + patience gave way; but certain members of the crew had impressed + him with the conviction that the hurricane that was being + encountered and the disasters that had befallen us were sent as a + judgment on <i>him</i> for the blasphemous language he was + accustomed to use at all times, whenever the slightest thing + crossed his devilish nature. He put his hands on the table, his + eyes were upturned, and with a softness of speech he slowly + uttered, "Jesus wept—and so He might!" Of course he would + have preferred a string of oaths as a relief to his pent-up + anger. On the following night the hurricane still raged, and it + was thought that something was wrong with the maintop-gallant + sail. It looked as though it were blowing adrift. A hand was sent + aloft to secure it, but when half-way up the top-mast rigging, he + got on to the top-mast back stay, and slid down on deck. He was + speechless for some time after reaching the deck. At last he + jerkingly articulated that there was nothing wrong with the sail, + but that which was believed to be sail was really some ferocious + living thing. Whereupon great consternation spread; and + volunteers were asked for to go aloft, and ascertain precisely + what it was. It turned out to be an eagle, and after considerable + difficulty a rope was got round it, and it was safely landed on + deck. It so happened that shortly after the capture was made a + tremendous sea struck the vessel, causing her to leak badly, and + taking the remaining two boats overboard. This was put down not + merely as a coincidence, but a coincidence that was sent for a + purpose, and every mind was fixed upon the steward. The wretched + man was stricken with panic. His thoughts centred on his past, + and he became an abject drivelling confessionist, emptying + himself of deeds that were awful to listen to, and had been kept + to himself for years. The voyage soon ended, and the last I heard + of him was that he was drinking himself to death; he had never + got over the conviction that the Divine wrath was upon him.</p> + + <p>The sight of a shark is an everyday occurrence in some + latitudes. Nothing is thought of it, and sometimes much sport is + derived in attempting a capture. But should a vessel be dogged + for a succession of days by a shark, or (as very frequently + happens) by a shoal of them, gloom begins to spread, imaginations + begin to widen; whisperings and close consultations for evil + purposes take place; and soon there has developed an epidemic of + melancholia. Conjecture is rife. The explanation of it all is + that these sharks have designs on human flesh, or they would not + follow with such tenacity. There is much speculation as to how + the unfortunate men are to be delivered into the grip of their + ferocity, and whether the feast will involve the sacrifice of one + or all of them. The more dismal the weather, the more impressive + the danger becomes. Perchance a man falls overboard, or an + accident occurs, no matter which; it is at once attributed to the + proximity of the sharks. "They would never follow a vessel if + they did not know they were to be rewarded by some tasty + recompense." Indeed they were believed to have supernatural + instincts as well as gluttonous intentions, which filled the + sailor with alarm, and caused him to ponder uneasily over the + idea of his last moments. It did not occur to him that these + "slim" followers kept in close proximity to their vessel so that + they might partake of the food that was daily cast into the sea; + they are not particular whether it is human or not. What they + look for is food. But Jack loves tragedy. He likes to imagine he + is in danger of being eaten or robbed or imposed upon. The + non-fulfilment of his prognostications does not humiliate him: it + seems to inspire more tenacious belief.</p> + + <p>The sea serpent, whatever that might be, has caused mariners + of every age much perturbation. Periodically there are + sensational reports emanating from some sea captain, that the + real bleary-eyed monster has at last been discovered. Illimitable + dimensions are given, together with much detail of its many + peculiarities. Three years ago, in the month of May, I was + cruising with some friends in my schooner yacht. We had traversed + many of the Scottish Lochs, amongst them Loch Fyne, where the + finest herring in the world abound, and are much sought after by + fishermen as well as by bottle-nosed whales. We were making our + way from Inverary towards Campbeltown, and as the wind was shy, + off the north side of Arran, we were hugging the land in order to + lead to our destination. A good wind was carried as far as Loch + Ryan, when it slowly died away and became flat calm. One of my + friends and myself were walking the deck together, when he + excitedly observed, "What is that on our starboard beam; is it a + reef?" I assured him there were no shoals in the vicinity of the + yacht; and I took up the field-glasses, and saw quite plainly + that it was a bottle-nosed whale. It soon began to move and send + masses of water into the air. The calm continued, and some + anxiety was felt lest the leviathan should playfully come towards + us and test its power of lifting. It passed close to where we + lay, and then shaped a course towards the opposite shore. + Naturally our interest was excited, and as a favourable breeze + sprang up and gradually strengthened we were able to follow at a + discreet distance from the tail of the sea disturber. It would + have taken the vessel out of our way to have followed it far, so + a course was set for Campbeltown, and the monster was soon lost + to view. Navigation was made intricate by a large fleet of + fishing boats beating up towards the playground of the fish they + sought to catch. The day following our arrival at Campbeltown + this fleet re-entered the port, their crews stricken with a + conviction that they had encountered the much-spoken-of + sea-monster. Their tales varied only in degree, but their + convictions were similar, and as they unfolded with touching + solemnity the story of peril, the little town became the centre + of wild, fluttering pulses. It was a conflict between pride of + race and sanctified horror, for had not their townsmen looked + into the very jaws of death? One imaginative gentleman made a + statement that was creepy in his version of a gallant fight + against the demoniac foe. The monster is said to have raised + itself high out of the water, and opened its jaws, which exposed + to view a vast space, and suggested that the intention was to + receive, if not a few of the boats, certainly a multitude of the + people who manned them. One craft came gliding along, and the + skipper promptly picked up an oar, and put it into the + "serpent's" mouth, whereupon the oar was as promptly snapped + asunder; and the skilful mariner sailed his craft gallantly out + of harm's way while the cause of all the commotion went prancing + about the ocean in defiance of the vast flotilla which is said at + the same time to have occupied its attention. It would be + impossible to give more than a summary of all the things that + were said to have been done during this trying episode; and all + that need be said now is that the men were stricken with awe. + They remained in port for several days in the belief that their + enemy was still on the rampage outside. Their deliverance had + been miraculous; and no doubt much thanksgiving, and much + petitioning for divine interposition, so that this visitor from a + sinister world might be spirited away to some other locality, + held their attention during the days that were spent under cover + of a safe harbour. There can be little doubt that the cause of + the fishers' frenzy was the quiet, inoffensive bottle-nosed + whale, leisurely prowling about the Sound in search of a living, + and, in fact, none other than the one that my friend had supposed + to be a reef. These creatures rarely run amuck until the harpoon + is thrust into them. They usually roll about the sea in the most + harmless way. No doubt the sight of a huge creature in localities + unaccustomed to it creates an impression of dull alarm, and, + strange though it be, some minds are so constituted that their + superstitions and imaginations are always thirsting after + association with the nether regions.</p> + + <p>A common belief among seamen is that if rats migrate from a + vessel that vessel is doomed; and many hardships have been + endured at times on account of this belief. I am inclined to + favour the idea that these creatures are just as tenacious of + life as human beings are; but to say they have keener intuitive + capacity than we is arrant nonsense. It is true they do not like + leaky ships any more than their crews do; and they leave them for + the same particular reasons as would induce them to leave + districts on shore. Scarcity of food or comfort, or danger of + attack, create their itinerant moods. Of course if their pasture + is good they are difficult to get rid of. They are prolific and + cling to their young. That unquestionably is a reason for their + willingness to be driven from a position where the food supply + may be precarious. They have their channels of communication + which are as difficult to cut off as to find out, so that when + they do leave a vessel that is in port it is pretty certain they + have heard of some more comfortable quarters and a better + playground. This accounts for them clearing out of a ship just + before she sails, thus throwing some poor superstitious creature + into abject fear that their exodus is the forerunner of calamity. + To carry the superstition out logically, instead of rats being + exterminated throughout a place or a vessel, they should really + be encouraged to remain and multiply. I saw an extract from an + American paper some years ago, and it told a sensational tale of + a steamer which had arrived at Baltimore from Cuba, laden with + iron ore. During the passage the whole crew were attacked by + swarms of rats, which had come aboard at the loading port. The + crew, including the captain, his wife, and family, were driven to + take refuge on deck. The rats became infuriated for want of food, + and boldly clamoured for it, until it was decided to feed them + discreetly from the ship's stores. Many of the crew were bitten. + Under less startling circumstances it is quite a common + occurrence for seamen to have their toenails eaten off while they + are asleep. It rarely happens that the flesh is penetrated; and + they nearly always go for the big toe. People who have not seen + such things are sure to be sceptical about the truth of this + statement. It can, however, be easily verified. On the Baltimore + vessel's arrival in the stream, and after communications had been + effected with the shore, it was found that men could not be + induced to risk working in the holds until the rats were + expelled. It was decisively arranged to have the vessel scuttled. + This was done, and the situation became more perplexing than + ever. As soon as the water began to flow into the vessel, the + rats took to the rigging, and every available space of it became + occupied. Never had such a sight been witnessed before. It was + decided to shoot at them. The panic at once grew into + pandemonium, both amongst the rats and the public. The fear of + large numbers of the rats making their escape seized the + imagination, and took some subduing. Methods were adopted, + however, which soon put an end to mere contemplation, and the + rats were speedily put out of harm's way. The story comes from + America, and is an answer to those who cling to the silly notion + that rats have the faculty of prevision and always leave a ship + that is to be sunk or is sinking. <i>These</i> rats would not + leave even after the vessel was sunk.</p> + + <p>Many years ago, long before sailing vessels succumbed to + steam, I was serving as cabin boy aboard a brig laden with salt, + which had been taken on board at St. Ubes, Portugal. We were in + the Bay of Biscay, and had encountered a succession of gales from + the time of leaving St. Ubes. The vessel had a private leak, that + is, a leak which was not occasioned by constructive weakness, but + by some omission of caulking, bolting, trinnelling, &c. This + alone only called for one pump to be set going every two hours, + but the heavy buffeting made her strain and leak so badly that it + ultimately necessitated the continuous use of both pumps. The sea + was running cross and heavy, which caused the cargo to shift, and + the water to come on the ceiling, that is, the inner planking of + the hull. A portion of the crew that could be spared from the + pumps was ordered to take some forecastle bulkhead planks down, + and make their way into the hold for the purpose of trimming the + cargo over. The work was carried on vigorously, amid a continuous + flow of adjectives. The captain and owner, both of whom were + much-respected men, were consigned by the sailors many times to + perdition and other more or less sulphurous places. Indeed, the + father of evil was freely invoked against them; but as both + captain and owner are very much alive at the present time, the + former controlling a vast business in conjunction with his sons, + and the captain for many years having been living a peaceful life + far away from the desolate storming of angry waters, whatever may + be in store for those two well-cursed gentlemen, external + appearances up to date favour the assumption that Jack's + invocation has been unheeded. There was much desultory talk + during the spells of shovelling, and one of the sailors, who, by + the way, had at one time commanded his father's Scotch clipper, + remarked, as though he were soliloquising, "I don't care a Scotch + damn so long as the rats stick to us." Whereupon there arose a + discussion upon the protective influence of rats, and it was + decided that no leaky vessel should go to sea without them. One + of the men thought he heard water coming in at the bow, and, as + that part of the hold was not occupied with cargo, he made his + way towards it, and asked me to bring him a light. He inquired if + I heard anything. I replied in the affirmative. The carpenter was + brought down into the hold, and the ceiling cut away; it was + found that the rats had gnawed a hole through the <i>outside</i> + planking, until they tasted tar and salt water. The sea pressure + afterwards forced the skin in, and there became a free inlet of + water. The hole was not large, but it had been sufficient to keep + one pump going every two hours. There was now no doubt that this + was the private leak. There was great rejoicing at the discovery, + and after a few appropriate words, not necessary to reproduce + here, against a Providence that could allow the perpetrators of + such infinite mischief to prowl about attempting to scuttle + ships, it was generally concluded that the occasion being one of + peril, should be allowed to pass without any stronger + demonstration of reproach—as it might excite + retaliation.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + + <p>THE SEAMAN'S RELIGION</p> + + <p>Nothing is more comic than the sailor's aversion to the person + nautically recognised as the "sky-pilot." I have known men risk + imprisonment for desertion, on hearing that a parson was going + the voyage, or that the vessel was to sail on a Friday. If any of + them were asked their reason for holding such opinions, they + would no doubt make a long, rambling statement of accidents that + had happened, and the wild wrath that follows in the wake of a + ship sailing on the forbidden day! These prejudices still survive + in a modified form. The younger generation of seamen do not view + the presence of the parson on board their ship with any strong + objection. In many cases he is rather welcomed than otherwise. + But the last generation had a strong tradition, which could not + be subdued, that no clerical gentleman should be looked upon with + favour as a passenger. The boycott was sometimes carried out + against him during the voyage with unrelenting cruelty. Ever + since the Lord commanded Jonah, the son of Amittai, to arise and + go to Nineveh, and the Hebrew preacher took passage aboard the + ship of Tarshish instead, there has been trouble. The senseless + antipathy has been handed down the ages, and the legacy comes + from a shameless gang who were cowardly assassins, from the + skipper downward! Poor Jonah! The tempest did not unnerve + <i>him</i>; for, while the other drivelling creatures were + chucking their wares overboard, he slept peacefully, until the + bully of the crowd, and no doubt the greatest funk, called out to + him, "What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God, if + so be that God will think upon <i>us</i> that we perish not!" + These creatures always want sacrifices made to save their own + precious skins; and they found in the poor penitent Hebrew a + willing sacrifice. He <i>agreed</i> that they should cast him + into the sea! It is not recorded what methods of torture were + used in order to extract his consent; but it is pretty safe to + assume that the Tarshish crew made it so hot for the poor man + that he was glad to say to them, "Take me up and cast me forth + into the sea!" Thus it comes to pass that the race of seamen + cling to a tradition which originated in craven ignorance.</p> + + <p>Some years ago a large party was invited by me to a trial trip + of a new steamer. Amongst the guests were a number of ministers, + some of whom were my personal friends, and some the friends of + others who had been invited. A gentleman who had been in my + service for many years held strongly to the old tradition against + clerics, and vowed that no good would ever come of such a + reckless breach of nautical etiquette. He felt assured that much + ill would come of it. His countenance the whole day betokened + internal conflict! He refused to be ridiculed into consolation, + and I think has felt chagrined ever since that nothing has + happened to justify his prophecy. It must not be supposed, + however, that men holding these views carried their resentment + ashore. Many of them were on easy terms of friendship with + sky-pilots, and listened to their devotional efforts and teaching + with fervent submission. A story, which is known and reverently + believed by the typical sailor, has done service many times. It + is this: A parson had embarked aboard a sailing vessel as a + passenger. They were crossing the Bay of Biscay when a tempest + began to rage and the darkness became full of trouble. The sea + lashed with remorseless effect on the hull of the vessel, until + her timbers cracked and made strange noises. It was discovered + that the vessel was leaking badly, and all hands were ordered to + the pumps. The hurricane continued to roar, and the parson became + alarmed at the tumult. He at last appealed to the captain to know + whether the danger was of a serious character. The captain + informed him the danger was great; but, if he desired to be + <i>assured</i> of his safety or otherwise, he was to go towards + the men that were pumping and listen whether they were swearing. + If they were, there was no immediate danger. He came back and + said to the captain, "Glory be to God, they are swearing!" A + short time was allowed to elapse, and another visit was paid. He + came back and informed the commander that they were still + swearing, but not quite so hard; "Indeed," said he, "I thought I + heard some of them praying." "Ah," said the captain, "I fear if + hard swearing does not continue, and they begin to pray, there + will be no hope!" Whereupon the man of Holy Orders dropped on his + knees and offered up an eloquent supplication for Divine aid: "O + God, in Thy boundless compassion do Thou cause these sailors to + cease praying, and make them to swear with a vigour and force + that will appease the anger of the waves, and bring Thy servants + out of danger into safety!" The captain called out "Amen," and + added a supplementary petition for their deliverance, which is + said to have been granted.</p> + + <p>Sailors of that day spoke of God with the profound belief that + He was their exalted fellow-countryman, and they did not scruple + to charge Him with indifference to their nautical interests, if a + foreigner, or a foreign vessel, happened to gain a monetary or + seafaring advantage over them. This is not a mere legend. North + Blyth, in the county of Northumberland, was inhabited by + personalities who held definite opinions on these matters. One + old gentleman, whom I remember very well (his name was Readford, + but he had the distinction of being better known as + "Barley"—why he was given this name there is no need to + relate), held very strong views as to the functions and + obligations of the Almighty. He never doubted His existence or + His power, and he always claimed a dispensation of benefit as the + right of British patriots.</p> + + <p>The following story, true in every essential, will show his + reasons for doing so: Barley was in command of a collier, which + traded between Blyth and London. On one of his voyages to London + he encountered a strong head-wind, which caused him to have to + beat "up Swin." A Dutch galliot—type of vessel which has + never had the reputation of being a racer—was in company, + to leeward of him. Barley managed by dexterous manipulation to + keep her there until the flood tide was well-nigh spent; but, + alas for human fallibility, and the eccentric fluctuations of the + wind, the Dutchman stood towards the north shore, while our hero, + who was priding himself on the superior qualities of himself and + his brig, stood towards the south, whereupon the Dutchman got a + "slant of wind" which came off the north shore. The result was + the British vessel was badly weathered by the galliot. Barley's + anger could not be appeased. It was an offence against national + pride and justice! He forthwith called the attention of his chief + officer to the indignity that had been thrust upon them. "Look," + said he, in wrathful humiliation, "there's God Almighty given + that adjective Dutchman a leading wind and allowed His own + countryman to be jammed on a lee shore!" It was said that Barley + never really forgave this unpatriotic act, though he still + adhered to the belief that the God of British seamen was + stedfastly on the side of conservatives of every kind!</p> + + <p>There is no class of workmen that is so much thought of and + cared for as the sailor class, and there is none who need and + deserve such consideration more. It would be invidious to draw + comparisons between classes, so that all I have to say on the + point is that they have always compared favourably with those + whose avocation is different from theirs. They are susceptible to + good or evil influences. Perhaps not more susceptible to one than + to the other; and considering the malevolent, thievish scoundrels + by whom they are continually beset, their record does not compare + badly with that of others. Vagrancy is almost unknown amongst + them, and if their vices are large their temptations are great; + but, take them as a whole, they seldom premeditate evil. Their + intentions are mostly on the side of right and goodness. Some of + them stand like a rock against being tempted by the gangs of + harpies that are always hovering about them. Others allow their + good intentions to vanish as soon as the predatory gentlemen with + their seductive methods make their appearance. Agencies such as + the Church of England Missions to Seamen and the Wesleyan + Methodist Mission are to be thanked for the hard efforts made to + keep the sailor out of harm, and to reclaim those who have + fallen. They may be thanked also for having been the means of + diminishing, if not altogether extirpating, a loathsome tribe of + ruffians who were accustomed to feast on their blood. These + Missions are a Godsend not only to the sailor, but to the nation. + No other agency has done the work they are doing. The Church is + apt, to gather its robes round a cantish respectability, and call + out "Save the people," and the flutter falls flat on the seats. + These missions owe any success they have had to going <i>to</i> + the people.</p> + + <p>A few wholesome women are worth scores of men in getting at + sailors—or for that matter in getting at anybody else, and + the importance of getting more of them attached to the work + should not be overlooked. The sailor is a person of moods. + Sometimes it is religion, and sometimes it is something very + different, and it is only those women who have grace, comely + looks and supreme tact, and who carry with them a halo of bright + cheerfulness, who can deal successfully with cases of this kind. + The long-faced, too much sanctified female, doling out fixed + quantities of monotonous nothings, is an abomination, and is + calculated to drive man into chronic debauchery. One look from + this kind of awful female is a deadly agony, and much effort + should be used to avoid her. But there are even men engaged in + religious work, whose agonising look would give any person of + refined senses the "jumps." What earthly use are such creatures + to men who crave for brightness and hope to be put into their + lives, and the passion of love to be beamed into their souls? If + people would only bear in mind that it is always difficult to + find a real soul behind a flinty face, a vast amount of mischief + would be obviated by making more suitable selections for + philanthropic and religious work. Of course there is more needed + than a pleasant look. It is imperative that there should be + combined with it knowledge, and the knack of communicating it. + All denominations have wasters thrust upon them, sometimes by the + ambition of parents that their sons should be ministers, and + sometimes by the unbounded belief of the young men themselves in + their fitness. But it often becomes apparent that good + bricklayers or blacksmiths have been spoiled in the process of + selection; whereas a little courage and frankness on the part of + the selection people would have saved many souls and many + reputations.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + + <p>SAFETY AND COMFORT AT SEA</p> + + <p>The present-day sailor has a princely life compared with that + of his predecessors of the beginning and middle of the last + century. Those men were ill-paid, ill-fed, and for the most part + brutally treated. The whole system of dealing with seamen was a + villainous wrong, which stamps the period with a dirty blot, at + which the British people should be ashamed to look. What awful + crimes were permitted by the old legislatures of agricultural + plutocrats! Ships were allowed to be sent to sea in an + unseaworthy condition. Men were forced to go in them for a + living, and scores of these well-insured coffins were never seen + or heard of again after leaving port. Their crews, composed + sometimes of the cream of manhood, were the victims of a + murderous indifference that consigned them to a watery grave; and + the families who survived the wholesale assassination were left + as legacies of shame to the British people, who by their + callousness made such things possible. Whole families were cast + on the charity of a merciless world, to starve or survive + according to their fitness. Political exigencies had not then + arisen. The people were content to live under the rule of a + despotic aristocracy, and so a devastating game of shipowning was + carried on with yearly recurring but unnoticed slaughter. In one + bad night the billows would roll over hundreds of human souls, + and no more would be heard of them, except, perhaps, in a short + paragraph making the simple announcement that it was feared + certain vessels and their crews had succumbed to the storms of + such and such dates. "Subscription lists for sailors' wives, + mothers, and orphans! Good heavens! What is it coming to? + <i>They</i> have no votes! What, then, do they want with + subscriptions?" "But you subscribe for colliery, factory, + railroad, and other shore accidents. What difference does it make + how the bereavement occurs?" "Votes make the difference—the + importance of that should not be overlooked!"</p> + + <p>In disdain of the commonest rights of humanity this nefarious + business was allowed to flourish triumphant. The bitter wail of + widows and orphans was silenced by the clamour for gold until all + nature revolted against it. The earth and the waters under the + earth seemed to call aloud for the infamy to be stayed. The + rumbling noise of a vigorous agitation permeated the air. + Strenuous efforts were made to block its progress. Charges of an + attempt to ruin the staple industry of the country were + vociferously proclaimed and contemptuously unheeded. Parliament + was made the centre of intrigue, whereby it was expected to + thwart the plans of the reformers, and throw legislation back a + decade, but the torrent rushed along, with a spirit that broke + through every barrier. Even the great Jew, Benjamin Disraeli, + funked further evasion and opposition, after the memorable + evening when Samuel Plimsoll electrified the House, and stirred + up the nation, by charging the Prime Minister with the + responsibility of proroguing Parliament in order that shipping + legislation should be evaded, and further charged him with + indifference to the loss of life at sea! The onslaught was so + fierce and irresistible that it became a necessity not only to + listen but to act. Thus it came to pass that a hitherto obscure + gentleman, who had no connection whatever with the sea, was the + means of carrying into law one of the most beneficent pieces of + legislation that has ever been introduced to the House of + Commons; and his name will go down to distant ages, with renown + unsurpassed in the pages of Mercantile History. And shame to him + who would detract from the great reformer his share in the act + which has been the means of saving the lives of multitudes of + seamen, and which has stamped upon it the immortal name of Samuel + Plimsoll.</p> + + <p>Drastic reforms cannot be brought about without causing + inconvenience and even suffering to some one; and I am bound to + say a vast amount of unnecessary hardship was caused in + condemning unseaworthy vessels, many of which belonged to poor + old captains who had saved a bit of money, and invested it in + this way long before there was any hint of the coming legislation + which was to interfere, and prevent them from being sailed unless + large sums of money were expended on repairs. Scores of these + poor fellows were ruined. Many of them died of a broken heart. + Many became insane; not a few ended a miserable existence by + taking their own lives; or died in almshouses, and under other + dependent conditions. Of all classes of men, I do not know any + who have such an abhorrence for the poorhouse as the sailor + class. They will suffer the greatest privations in order to avoid + it. It was a hard, cruel fate to have the earnings of a lifetime, + and the means of livelihood, taken from them by a stroke of the + pen, without compensation; and England again degraded herself by + substituting one crime for another. These fine old fellows had + been at one time a grand national asset; some of them had fought + our battles at sea; but even apart from this some compensation + should have been voted to all those who were to be affected by + legislation that was sprung upon them, and passed into law for + the public good. It may be said that any scheme of compensation + must face heavy difficulties, but that is not a sufficient reason + for not grappling with the question.</p> + + <p>Compensation to the cattle-owners during the cattle plague was + difficult no doubt to adjust. Indeed all revolutionary schemes + are surrounded with complexities that have to be got over; but in + the hands of skilled, willing workmen they can be carried out. + Not very long ago a political party introduced a scheme for + compensating the publicans—ostensibly because drunkenness + would be diminished. It bubbled over with difficulties, but it + would have been passed into law had the other party of the state + not intervened in such a way as to prevent it. The same political + party which thought it right that the publicans should be + compensated, were not unmindful of some more of their friends, + and voted something like five million sterling per annum to be + distributed among landowners, parsons, &c. When the poor old + sailors, withered and broken by hard usage, pleaded, for pity's + sake, not to be ruined, their appeals were ruthlessly + ignored.</p> + + <p>A most extraordinary feature of the agitation to prevent loss + of life at sea was the attitude of some shipmasters. They + believed it to be an undue interference with their sacred rights. + At the time when Mr. Plimsoll was vigorously pushing his + investigations into the causes for so many vessels foundering, he + went to Braila and Galatz, and examined every English steamer he + was allowed to visit. Some owners, hearing that he was on a tour + of investigation, instructed their captains not to allow him + admittance; and I heard at the time that these instructions in + some cases were rudely carried out. One forenoon he paid a casual + visit to the steamer "<i>A——</i>," and entered into + conversation with a person whom he assumed to be the commander. + He chatted some time with him upon general topics, and soon + discovered that the captain was not of the same political faith + as himself. Shipmasters who take political sides are generally + conservative. Up to that time he had carefully avoided making + known his identity. At last he ventured to approach the object of + his visit. He said, "Now, Captain, we have had a pleasant little + chat; I should like to have your views before I go, on the + Plimsoll agitation. They may be of value to me. I should like you + to state also what you think of Plimsoll. I have heard varied + opinions of him."</p> + + <p>"Well," said the captain, in broad North Shields dialect, "you + ask what I think of the agitation. My opinion is that all the + skallywags who are taking part in it should be locked up, and + have the cat every morning at five o'clock, and every hour of the + day after, until they abstain from meddling with what they know + nothing about! And as for Plimsoll, I would tie one end of a rope + round his neck, and attach the other to a fire bar, and chuck him + in there," pointing to the ebbing stream of the Danube!</p> + + <p>"Then," said Mr. Plimsoll, "you are not in sympathy with the + movement?"</p> + + <p>"No," said the infuriated skipper, "and nobody but a + —— fool would be!"</p> + + <p>"But don't you think, Captain," said Mr. Plimsoll, "that the + measures you suggest are somewhat extreme, for after all they are + only trying to improve the condition of the seamen?"</p> + + <p>"Seamen be d——d," said this meteoric Northumbrian. + "We don't want ships turned into nurseries, and that's what it's + coming to!"</p> + + <p>There were indications that the interview should cease. Mr. + Plimsoll thereupon prepared to take his leave. He apologised to + the captain for having taken up so much of his time, handed him + his card, and proceeded to land. The gallant captain looked at + the card, and called for his distinguished visitor to wait, so + that he might make known to him that he was ignorant of his + identity, otherwise he would have saved him the pain of + disclosing his opinions!</p> + + <p>"And your method of putting a stop to agitation?" interjected + Plimsoll.</p> + + <p>"Well," said the rollicking mariner, laughing at the joke that + had been played upon him, "we sailors express ourselves <i>that + way</i>, but we have no bad intentions!"</p> + + <p>"I apprehend that is the case, Captain," said Plimsoll.</p> + + <p>So ended an interview which is memorable to at least one + person; and not least notable for the friendship Mr. Plimsoll + showed towards his would-be executioner! The story was told to me + about two months after the interview occurred by the captain + himself. It is very odd that even one man, especially a + shipmaster, should have been found disagreeing with a reform that + was to be of so much benefit to all classes of seafaring men.</p> + + <p>Up to that time vessels were sent to sea scandalously + overladen. There was no fixed loadline as there is now. Cargoes + were badly stowed; no bagging was done. The fitting of shifting + boards was left pretty much to the caprice of the master, who + never at any time could be charged with overdoing it, but rather + the reverse. I am speaking now more particularly of steamers, + though to some extent the same reckless disregard for human + safety existed among sailing vessels. It was necessary, however, + that commanders of "windjammers" should be more painstaking in + the matter of having their cargoes thoroughly stowed, and that + adequate bulkheads and shifting boards should be fitted; for the + shifting of a sailing vessel's cargo was accompanied with the + possibilities of serious consequences. Sailing vessels cannot be + brought head-on to wind and sea, as steamers can, and the weather + may be so boisterous as to make it impossible to get into the + holds; and even if these are 'accessible, the heavy "list" and + continuous lurching prohibit the trimming of the cargo to + windward.</p> + + <p>But the great loss of life was not altogether caused by + allowing rotten, leaky, badly equipped sailing vessels to go to + sea, nor by the neglect of commanders of both sailers and + steamers to adopt reasonable precautions for the purpose of + avoiding casualty. At the very time when the whole country was + ablaze with excitement over the harrowing disclosures that + investigation had brought to light, Lloyds' Classification + Committee was allowing a type of narrow-gutted, double-decked, + long-legged, veritable coffins to be built, that were destined to + take hundreds of poor fellows to their doom. Their peculiarity + was to capsize, or continuously to float on their broadsides. + Superhuman effort could not have kept them on their legs. Neither + bagging transverse or thwartship bulkheads were of any avail. + Scores of them that were never heard of after leaving port found + a resting-place, with the whole of their crews, at the bottom of + the Atlantic Ocean. They lie there, unless enormous pressure has + crushed them into mud; and their tombs, could they be revealed, + would give ghastly testimony to the incompetence of naval + architects. No amount of precautionary measures could have made + this type of craft seaworthy. They were not shaped to go to sea. + My own impression is, apart from the crankiness of these + rattletraps, there was a vast amount of overloading which was the + cause of many vessels being sent to the bottom; so many, indeed, + that it became a common saying among seamen who were employed in + the Baltic trade that if the North Sea were to dry up it would + resemble a green field, because of the quantity of green steamers + that had perished there. Perhaps the phrase was merely a + picturesque figure of speech, as the North Sea makes no + distinction as to the claim it has on its victims, and the colour + of paint does neither attract nor repel its favour. + Notwithstanding the startling evidence which proved that there + was something radically wrong in the design and construction of + what was known as the "three-deck rule" type, Lloyds' + Classification and the Board of Trade officials adhered to the + idea of their superiority over every other class. The Hartlepool + Well-decker became the object of hostility. It was pronounced by + dignified theorists to be unsafe. The long wells combined with a + low freeboard lacerated their imaginations. They could not speak + of it without exhibiting strong emotion. "Suppose," said they, "a + sea were to break into the fore well and fill it, the vessel + would obviously become overburdened. Her buoyancy would be + <i>nil</i>, and she would succumb to the elements."</p> + + <p>But practical minds had provided against such an eventuality. + These objects of aversion had what is called a raised + quarter-deck; two ends which stood boldly out of the water, and + of course a big "sheer." Heavy seas rarely came over their bows + or sterns, and when they did the bulk of the water did not remain + or seem to affect their buoyancy. The heaviest water was taken + aboard amidship, when they were running with a beam sea or + scudding before a gale; but owing to their great sheer it + gravitated in a small space against the bridge bulkhead, the + structure of which was strong enough to stand excessive pressure. + They were considered to be the finest and safest tramps afloat by + men who sailed in them. Vessels of two thousand tons deadweight, + with only eighteen to twenty-four inches freeboard, would make + winter Atlantic passages without losing a rope-yarn, while many + of the three-deckers with six or seven feet freeboard never + reached their destination. Still the theorists kept up their + unreasoning opposition to the Well-deckers, and the Hartlepool + men were driven to take the matter up vigorously. They would have + no indefinite, haughty assertions. They demanded investigation; + and the result of it proved that the theorists were wrong, and + the men of practical ideas were right. It was proved that there + were singularly few cases of foundering among these vessels, and + that fewer lives were lost in them than in any others. This is + not the only instance in which Lloyds' Classification Committee + have been proved wrong in their opinions. They refused in the + same way, for some time, to class Turrets. I was obliged to give + up a conditional contract which I had made with Messrs. Doxford + and Sons, of Sunderland, for the first built of these, in + consequence of their refusal to class. But Turrets have now been + well tested, and prove very superior sea-boats. Underwriters, + indeed, could not have better risks; and, what is as good a test + as any of a vessel's seagoing qualities, is the readiness of + seamen to join and their reluctance to leave it.</p> + + <p>But each successive depression in shipping unrolls the + resources of the mind, and there are evolved new ideas which + disclose advantages hitherto unknown. They may not be great, but + they are usually sufficient to make it possible to carry on a + profitable trade instead of stopping altogether or working at a + loss. It was this that brought the Switchback into existence: a + vessel, by the way, which has a short, deep well forward; a long + bridge; raised after deck; and a long well and poop aft. Then + came the Turret, and then the Trunk; and last, the Single Decker + on the "three-deck rule." I do not believe it possible that any + of these will ever founder if they are properly handled, if their + cargoes are properly stowed, and if no accident to machinery or + stearing-gear occurs. They may come into collision with + something, run on to a sand-bank or reef, and then founder, but + not by force of hard buffeting. I am persuaded that the chances + are a thousand to one in favour of them pulling through any storm + in any ocean. But this is not all that can be said of them. The + men that compose the crew have spacious, comfortable, healthy + quarters, whereas in the old days, besides the prospect of being + taken to Davy Jones's locker, men were housed in veritable + piggeries: leaky, insanitary hovels, not good enough to bury a + dead dog in.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + + <p>WAGES AND WIVES</p> + + <p>When I first went to sea, and for many a long day after, I + used to hear the sailors who were more than a generation my + seniors, talking of the wages they received during the Russian + war aboard collier brigs trading from the north-east coast ports + to London, France, and Holland. They used to speak of it with + restrained emotion, and pine for an outbreak of hostilities + <i>anywhere</i>, so long as it would bring to them a period of + renewed prosperity! Able seamen boasted of their wages exceeding + by two or three pounds a voyage what the masters were getting. It + was quite a common occurrence at that time for colliers to be + manned entirely with masters and mates. They stowed away their + dignity, and took advantage of the larger pay by accepting a + subordinate position. Of course it was the scarcity of men that + gave them the opportunity. They were paid in some cases nine to + twelve pounds a voyage, which occupied on an average four weeks. + The normal pay was four to five pounds a voyage for each man, all + food, with the exception of coffee, tea, and sugar, being found. + The close of the big war brought, as it always does, a reaction, + and it is safe to say that collier seamen have never been paid so + liberally since. The racing with these extraordinary craft was as + eagerly engaged in as it was with any of the tea clippers. It was + an exciting feature of the trade which carried many of them to + their doom almost joyously. Their masters were paid eight pounds + per voyage, and if their vessels were diverted from coasting to + foreign trades their stipend was eight to nine pounds a month. + Considering the cost of living in those days, it is a marvel how + they managed, but many of them did not only succeed in making + ends meet, but were able to save. They owed much to the frugal + habits of their bonny, healthy wives, who for the most part had + been domestic servants, or daughters of respectable working men, + living at home with their parents until they were married. They + were trained in household economy, and they were exclusively + domesticated. Educational matters did not come into the range of + their sympathies. They were taught to work, and they and their + homes were good to look upon. Many of these thrifty girls married + swaggering young fellows who were before the mast. They were not + merely thrifty, but ambitious. Their ambition was to become + captains' wives; nor did they spare themselves to accomplish + their desire promptly. They did not overlook the necessity of + inspiring their husbands with high aims, and in order that their + incomes might be improved these married men were coaxingly urged + to seek an engagement as cook—a post which carried with it + ten shillings per month more than the able seamen's pay, besides + other emoluments, such as the dripping saved by skimming the + coppers in which the beef or pork was boiled, and casking it + ready for turning into cash wherever the voyage ended. The + proceeds, together with any balance of wages, were handed over to + the custody of the imperious lady, who was continuously reminding + the object of her affection that he should apply himself more + studiously to learning during his voyages, so that he would have + less time to stay at the navigation school, and more quickly + achieve nautical distinction when their savings amounted to the + sum required for passing the Board of Trade examination first, + only mate, and then for master. But once they got their mate's + certificates, financing became easier; and, although domestic + expenditure might have increased, the good lady steadily kept in + view the joy that would light up their home and come into her + life when she could hear her husband addressed by the enchanting + title of "Captain!" Hence the effort to save became a fixed + habit.</p> + + <p>When their object was attained, and the husband had passed his + examination successfully, he soon got a command, and although the + pay was small many of these men, with the assistance of their + wives, saved sufficient to take an interest in a vessel. This was + an achievement never to be forgotten. The news spread quickly + over a large district. The gossips became greatly engaged, and + the distinguished person was the object of respectful attention + as he walked up and down the quays or public thoroughfares with + an air of sanctified submission. It was a great thing to become + part owner of a vessel in those days when large dividends were so + easily made, and a small share very often led up to considerable + fortune.</p> + + <p>It is not to be supposed that the only road to success was + through the galley doors. I do not mean that at all. There were + scores of men that became shipmasters on our north-east coast who + never sought the opportunity of figuring in the galley, and even + if they had they could not have cooked a potato without spoiling + it! It has long been a saying among sailors that "God sends grub + and the devil sends cooks," and the saying is quite as true + to-day as it was when cooks had not the advantages they have now + of attending cookery classes. I merely relate the story of how a + number of these men of the middle of last century added to their + incomes in order that they might not stint their families of the + necessaries of life, and at the same time might put aside a + little each voyage until they had accumulated sufficient to + enable them to stay ashore and pass the necessary examination. + How a certain section of these men acquired their diplomas will + always be a mystery to themselves and to those who knew of them. + They were sailors every inch, and they claimed no higher + distinction. It would be ridiculous to suppose that they were + representative of the higher order of captain. With these they + had nothing in common. Indeed, they were a distinct race, that + disdained throwing off forecastle manners; whereas the higher + type of captain, wherever he went, carried with him a bright, + gentlemanly intelligence that commanded respect. The higher class + of man nearly always soared high in search of a wife, not so much + in point of fortune as in goodness, education, useful + intellectual attainment—a lady in fact, combining domestic + qualities compatible with his position. The merely intellectual + person did not appeal to him. It was rational culture he sought + for, a companionable woman indeed, who could use her hands as + well as her head. Sometimes their judgment erred, and carried + them into a vortex of misery.</p> + + <p>The swift pulsations of a generous heart generally do lead to + trouble if not well steadied by sound judgment. One of the most + pathetic instances of this I have ever heard of occurred to a man + who was high up in his profession. I knew him well. He was held + in high esteem by his many friends. But his big soul was too much + for him. He made the acquaintance of a young lady who intoxicated + his fancy. She was beautiful: a quick, attractive girl of + twenty-one, who could talk brightly of things that excited his + attention. Soon she told him a piteous tale of domestic trouble. + She was an artist in words and facial expression. Her whole being + was indicative of a guileless life. One morning by appointment + they met to say goodbye, for he was to sail from London that + afternoon in command of a large vessel on a long voyage. She was + brimming over with sparkling wit that overjoyed him. She + skilfully hinted of marriage on his return, and playfully adjured + that he should not allow other attractions when he was abroad to + lessen his affection for her.</p> + + <p>"Ah," said she, "sailors are so good, I fear you may not be an + exception."</p> + + <p>"Well," said he, "as you seem to have some doubt as to my + <i>bonâ-fides</i> I think the question may be settled by my + marrying you now."</p> + + <p>"What!" said the fair maiden, "this forenoon? Surely you will + allow me to consult my mother?"</p> + + <p>"No," said the captain; "that would spoil the romance, and + make it uninteresting. We must be spliced at once." And they + were. The result was a ghastly tragedy. The lady turned out a + termagant. Happily she did not live long, but while she lived it + was terrible. He told me the tale long after, and the pathos of + it, in all its hideous detail, was piteous. It sank deep into his + life, and changed his whole character. He was a man of culture, + and in the affairs of life displayed unusual common sense. No one + could comprehend how he came to be drawn into this ill-assorted + union, that might have sacrificed two lives.</p> + + <p>There is no body of men who should be so careful in choosing + their wives as sailors, no matter what their rank may be. If they + have children, the sailor, or captain, sees little of them, and + can have no part in their training, whereas the mother has it in + her power to fashion their lives either for good or evil. She is + always with them, and the responsibility of forming their + characters must rest almost entirely with her. It would be a + reckless exaggeration to say that all successful men had good + wives; but I think it safe to assume that a large majority of + them are blessed in that way. One thing is certain, if you see a + well-conditioned, well-behaved child, there is a good mother and + a good wife behind it. And it may not be unsafe to assert that + the successful man nearly always owes some of his success to his + wife's assistance. She may not have assisted actually in the + business itself, but she may have done better still by holding + her tongue at the proper time, and watching a suitable + opportunity of making an appropriate suggestion, avoiding saying + or doing anything that will irritate and break the continuity of + thought which is essential to the husband's success. A great deal + may be achieved by discreet silence.</p> + + <p>The wages of captains sailing in north-east coast brigs and + barques that traded to the Mediterranean, Brazils, West Indies, + and America, ranged from ten to twelve pounds per month. Those + trading to the East Indies received fourteen pounds, and some out + of their wages had to find charts and chronometers. London owners + paid higher wages to their captains, but less in proportion to + their crews. These commanders were on the whole a very + intelligent, well-conducted lot of men. They had high notions, + perhaps, of their importance, but they did no ill to anybody by + this. There were occasional squabbles between their mates and + themselves, and sometimes bickerings with the crew, but these + were never of a very serious or lasting character; in fact, I + have known men sail for years with one captain, and it was + delightful to witness the treatment and mutual respect shown to + each other. The men were frequently far more jealous of their + captain's dignity than he was himself. There were others whose + dignity became a slavish occupation to sustain. It sometimes + happened if the master and mate differed on some minor matter + that their relations became childishly strained, and each + asserted his rights until the feeling softened. The captain + always claimed the starboard side of the quarter-deck as his + special parading ground, the mate the port. It often happened + when these disagreements occurred the master, to show his + authority more drastically, would ask the carpenter for a piece + of chalk and draw a line down the centre of the deck. When this + was done the aggrieved commander would address his chief officer + in a deep, hollow voice that was obviously artificial. "Sir," or + "Mr.," he would begin, "I wish to impart to you that your conduct + has been such as to cause me to draw this line so that our + intercourse may not be so close as it has been. Please do not + presume to attempt any familiarity with me again; stick to your + own side!" This piece of grotesque quarterdeck-ism was made all + the more comical by the serious way it was taken by the mate and + enforced by the master! It did not occur to <i>them</i> that + there was something extremely humorous in it. Another ludicrous + custom was this: if the master and mate were on deck together, + though there was ample room for both to walk on the weather side, + the mate was always supposed to give way to the captain, and walk + on the lee side, no matter what tack the vessel was on. If the + officer in charge was smoking, and either standing or walking on + the weather side, and the captain came on deck, immediately the + short cutty pipe was taken out of his mouth, and, as a mark of + respect, he passed to leeward! It was considered the height of + ill-manners for a mate or second mate to smoke a churchwarden or + a cigar!</p> + + <p>The food that was supplied to these north country + "southspainers" was neither plentiful nor good. It was not + infrequently bought in the cheapest and nastiest markets—in + fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that large quantities of + it were not fit for human beings to eat.</p> + + <p>The owners were, as a rule, of humble birth. Many of them + inherited frugal habits from their parsimonious parents, and many + of them became miserable misers independent of any hereditary + tendency. If their generous impulses ever did swell big enough to + give the captains a few delicacies, they were overcome with fear + lest extravagance should enter into their lives, and therefore + they hastened to caution them with imploring emphasis to take + special care not to allow too much to be used, as luxuries of + that kind were very costly! The captains were put to sore straits + at times to carry out the wishes of their owners in doling out + the food; and it often happened in the process of economising + they became imbued with the same greedy ways as their employers. + It would not be fair to charge all north-east coast owners of + that period with the shame of stinting their crews of proper + food; those who did so had no idea that they could be accused of + being criminally mean. Their lean souls and contracted little + minds could only grasp the idea of making money, and hoarding it + after it was made. Hundreds of fine fellows had their blood + poisoned so that their teeth would drop out, and their bones + become saturated with virulent scurvy owing to the unwholesome + food the law provided they should eat. The hereditary effects of + this were in some cases appalling, and yet while this was going + on never a voice in the country was raised effectually against + it; and if the conditions under which the sailor lives to-day are + vastly improved on what they were in the sailing-ship days, he + has neither the country nor the Parliament of England to thank + for it, but the new class of shipowner who sprang into existence + simultaneously with the introduction of steam.</p> + + <p>There were many of the old shipowners and shipmasters generous + in all their dealings with their men; but my experience compels + me to say that a great number of them were heartless skinflints. + The economical measures adopted by some captains in order that + their supplies might spin out were not only comic, but idiotic. + For instance, the master and his chief officer had their meals + together, and if they were not on very lovable terms the few + minutes allowed the mate was a very monotonous affair owing to + the forced and dignified silence of his companion, who eyed with + disfavour his healthy appetite; but this did not deter him from + continuing to dispose of the meagre repast of vitiated salt junk. + The request to be helped a second time broke the silence and + brought forth language of a highly improper nature, and did the + indiscreet officer happen to boldly go for the butter-pot + <i>after</i> he had partaken of beef he was eloquently reminded + that those who "began with beef must finish with beef," and those + who "began with butter must finish with butter"! I quote the + exact words, for I have heard them. If the mate was of a + quarrelsome disposition he retaliated by declaiming against any + attempt to restrict his food. Then followed mutual cursings, and + hot recriminations. The title of gentleman was repudiated, and + "you're another" substituted. But these little squabbles + generally passed away without any permanent resentment; and + although the mates may have strongly disagreed with the + starvation policy of their captains and owners, as soon as they + got command themselves they adopted the selfsame methods, and in + some cases applied them with a rigour that would have put their + former commanders to shame. The scale of provision was a scandal + to any civilised nation. Both owners and captains were well aware + of this, and shamefully used it as a threat to prevent men from + justly complaining of the quality or quantity of food they were + being served with. An opportunity was often made so that the men + might be put on their "whack," or, to be strictly accurate, the + phrase commonly used was "your pound and pint," and as an + addendum they were dramatically informed that they should have no + fresh provisions in port. The men, of course, naturally + retaliated by measuring their work according to the food they + got; and then it was seen that the game was to be too costly and + too perilous. The common-sense commander would find a judicious + retreat from an untenable position, and the blockhead would + persevere with it during a whole voyage, and boastfully retail a + sickening story of meanness to an audience who, he cherished the + idea, would regard him as a hero! How much bitterness and loss + was caused by this parochial-minded malignity can never be + estimated. It was undoubtedly a prolific factor in making + sea-lawyers, and a greater evil than this could not be incubated. + The sea-lawyer always was and always will be a pest on land, and + a source of mischief and danger on the sea. But while so much can + be said against the tactless, and, it may be, the vindictive + captain, just as much can be said against some crews who ignored + the duty of submitting to control. They feasted on unjustifiable + grumbling and discontent. They loafed and plotted to destroy all + legitimate authority, and very often made it a perplexity to know + how to act towards them. I do not class these men with the + criminal class of which I have spoken; there is a very wide + distinction between the two. The men I am now speaking of, at + their worst, never went beyond loafing, grumbling, and plotting + to evade some technical obligation.</p> + + <p>The wages of the mate aboard these south-going craft were + £5 5s. per month, the second mate got a pound above the + A.B.'s, who, on these voyages, were paid £2 10s. to + £2 15 s. per month. The cook and steward (one man) got the + same as the boatswain, the carpenter, and the second mate. The + scale of wages for officers and crew aboard a tea clipper was + regulated on more aristocratic lines. Their hands were carefully + picked, and, as a rule, they carried double crews, exclusive of + officers and petty officers. Both pay and food were vastly better + in the clippers than that of the average trader. The statutory + scale of provisions was, however, the same for all. A copy of it + appears on the opposite page.</p> + + <h4>SCALE OF PROVISIONS</h4> + + <p><i>NOTE.—There is no scale fixed by the Board of Trade. + The quantity and nature of the Provisions are a matter for + agreement between Master and Crew</i>.</p> + <pre> +Scale of Provisions to be allowed and served out to the Crew during the Voyage, in +addition to the daily issue of Lime and Lemon Juice and Sugar, or other +Anti-Scorbutics in any case required by the Act. + +PROVISIONS. QUANTITY SUN. MON. TUE. WED. THUR. FRI. SAT. WEEKLY + +Water Qts. 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 +Bread lb. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 +Beef " 1-1/2 1-1/2 1-1/2 1-1/2 +Pork " 1-1/4 1-1/4 1-1/4 +Preserved Meats " +Preserved Potatoes oz. +Preserved Vegetables. lb. +Flour " 1/2 1/2 1/2 +Peas Pint 1/3 1/3 1/3 +Calavances " +Rice lb. 1/2 +Oatmeal " +Barley " +Salted Fish " +Condensed Milk oz. +Tea " 1/8 1/8 1/8 1/8 1/8 1/8 1/8 +Coffee Beans (Roasted) " 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 +Cocoa " +Sugar " 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 +Dried Fruit (Raisins, + Currants, &c.) " +Butter lb. +Marmalade or Jam " +Molasses Pint +Mustard oz. +Pepper " +Vinegar or Pickles Pint +<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href= +"#Footnote_1_1">[1]</a>.............. .... + .............. .... + +SUBSTITUTES AND EQUIVALENTS. +Equivalent Substitutes at the Master's option. No spirits allowed. +</pre> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Other + articles may be inserted here.</p> + </div> + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER + VIII</h2> + + <p>LIFE AMONG THE PACKET RATS</p> + + <p>It is a noteworthy fact that many of the featherbrained, + harum-scarum captains endeavoured to man their vessels with men + who had been trained in north-country colliers. These men were + considered not only the best, but the most subordinate in the + world. Perhaps this was correct, but I think the west countrymen + could claim a good place in point of seamanship, if not of + subordination. I remember hearing the captain of an Australian + passenger vessel making this complimentary statement of + north-country men to my father, when I was a very small boy, and + I learnt by experience many years afterwards that it was true. + Life aboard some of the packet ships was a chronic convulsion of + devilry. The majority of the men constituting the crew were + termed "packet rats," and were the scrapings of British and + foreign scoundrelism. No wonder the captains were anxious to have + a proportion of fine, able-bodied north-country sailors, as a + steadying influence on the devil-may-care portion of the crew. + The signing on of a packet ship was quite an historic occasion. + All the "gimlet-eyed" rascals in town were on the alert to bleed + the sailor as soon as he had got his advance. It was usual for + the sailors to sign articles binding themselves to be aboard at + 5.30 or 6 a.m. on a fixed date, and in order that there might be + no mistake as to how the discipline of the vessel was to be + administered, the officers, who were generally Yankees, or aped + the habits and manners of the Yankee, were stationed at the + gangways for the purpose of suitably receiving the wretched, + drink-sodden, semi-delirious creatures who were to constitute + part of the crew. They were carted to the vessel, accompanied by + animals opprobriously called "crimps," whose unrestrained + appetite for plunder was a scandal to the public authority who + permitted their existence. After these noxious gentry had sucked + the blood of their victims, the latter were handed over to the + officers who awaited their arrival at the gangway. Having arrived + late, and in a condition contrary to the orthodox opinions of + their officer, they were asked in strong nasal language why they + did not turn up at 6 a.m.</p> + + <p>"Do you know," the slap-dashing mate would say, "that you have + committed a breach of discipline that cannot be overlooked on + this craft?"</p> + + <p>The half-drunken, whiskey-soaked creature would reply in an + incoherent, semi-insolent way, whereupon the mate would haul out + a belaying pin and belabour him with it. Many a criminal act of + this kind was committed, and if the men as a body retaliated, + they were shot at, or knuckle-dustered, until their faces and + bodies were beaten into a pulp. This was called mutiny; so in + addition to being brutally maltreated, there could be found, both + at home and abroad, gentlemen in authority who had them sent to + prison, and who confiscated their pay. Many of them were punished + until they agreed to sign the entry in the official log against + themselves.</p> + + <p>It may be thought that these officers were justified in the + initial stages of the voyage in striking terror into the minds of + these men, so that their criminal instincts might be kept in + check. I am well aware of the risks and responsibilities + attending the control of a terrible class of persons such as the + American "packet rat," and it is difficult to write of them with + calmness of judgment. They were undoubtedly collections of + incorrigible ruffians such as could not have been easily employed + in any other class of British or American vessel. At the same + time, it must be remembered that the officers of these crafts + were not selected because of their pre-disposition to piety. It + was because of their predilection for living in a chronic + atmosphere of "Almighty Hell." They were trained to it, and were + apt pupils. They saw a glory in the continuity of combat that + raged from the beginning until the end of a voyage. It is worthy + of note that, with few exceptions, they never allowed themselves + to be overcome, though many a futile attempt was made. Poor + devils of sailors! Many a voyage they made without receiving a + penny for it, every cent of their wages being confiscated in + fines and forfeitures. How many may have lost their lives during + the progress of such passages, ostensibly by accidentally falling + overboard, will never be known. I have heard old salts talk of + these vessels never being hove to to pick up any of the + unfortunate riff-raff who may have made a false step into the + ocean. This may or may not be true; but from what I know of the + desperate character of those commanders and officers, I am + inclined to give credence to a good deal of what is said to have + occurred.</p> + + <p>The really first-class seamen on these vessels (both American + and British) were treated not only with fairness, but very often + with indulgence. It was not unusual, however, for them to have to + fight their way to having proper respect paid to them. The expert + seaman, who could box as well as he could handle a marline spike + or use a sail-needle, appealed to the sympathies of the captain + and officers. It must not be supposed that either the officers or + men who were thought good enough to sail in these vessels were in + any degree representative of the great bulk of British captains, + officers, or men. At the same time, I do not mean to suggest that + the rest of the mercantile marine was, or ever could be, composed + of Puritans. But the men I have been trying to describe were the + very antithesis of the typical British tar. Many of them were, + constitutionally, criminals, who had spent years compulsorily on + the Spanish main, when not undergoing punishment in prison. + Having been shipmate with some of them I am able to speak of + their character with some claim to authority. They were big + bullies, and consequently abject cowards. The tales I have heard + them relate before and during their sojourn on the Spanish main + reeked with a villainous odour. They always commenced their + bullying tactics as soon as they came aboard, especially if the + vessel had apparently a quiet set of officers and a peaceful + captain. They did not always gauge aright the pugilistic capacity + of some of their forecastle brethren, and so it came to pass that + once one of these six-feet-four rampaging creatures was + threatening annihilation to a little forecastle colony, and, + indeed, to the after-end colonists also, when there was heard, + amid a flow of sulphurous curses, a quiet, defiant word of + disapproval. It came from a Scottish able seaman who had served + long in American sailing vessels. The orator promptly struck out + at the semi-inanimate Sandy, who woke up, went for his man in + true British style, and had him howling for mercy in less than + two minutes. The Scottish sailor became the idol of the captain + and crew, and the Yankee bullies deserted at the first port the + vessel touched at. In 1871 I shipped aboard a barque in Liverpool + as chief officer. I was very young, and what perhaps was more + sinful, very youthful looking. The captain was only two years my + senior, and the second mate four. There was a scarcity of + desirable men available, which resulted in our having to engage + what we could get, and, with the exception of three respectable + men, the rest were "packet rats," though few of them had sailed + in packets, and those who had were stamped with the mark of it. + We left Birkenhead in tow. There was a strong wind blowing. It + was my duty to see the anchors stowed properly. I gave orders to + man the fish tackle, and directed one of the men to pinch the + flukes of the anchor on to the gunwale while the crew were + hauling on the tackle. He looked at me for a minute or two as + though he were undecided as to the condition of his hearing and + his eyesight. I repeated the order in authoritative quarter-deck + style. He gaped in amazement apparently at my audacity, and told + me in language that could not be overlooked there (or repeated + here!) to do myself what I had ordered him to do. I became at + once conscious of my youthful appearance! I assured him that I + would stand no nonsense, and perhaps to awaken him to the + possibilities of a physical encounter, I used some Americanisms + that were obviously familiar to him and to the others who were + ready to act with him. I insisted that the orders I had given + should be carried out. He sneered at my youth, and intimated, + with a grin that foreboded cannibalism, that he had eaten many a + more manly-looking person than myself before breakfast, and that + he would stand no G—— d—— cheek from a + son of a—— like me! "Do it yourself," said he, "I + won't," and suiting the action to the words, he tossed the + handspike on to the top-gallant forecastle. I instantly picked it + up, and it was all over his body before he had time to recover + from the effect of so sudden an attack. The captain had told me + that I was to beware of treachery, and to remember the advantage + of the first blow. "Hit," said he, "right between the eyes, and + see to it that it makes sparks!" I did not expect that the + necessity would arise so soon after leaving the docks, and I must + plead guilty to inaccurately carrying out the captain's + suggestion, except in so far as the first blow was concerned, + which was quickly and decisively struck, although not precisely + between the eyes. There were visible signs that the head and face + of the rebel had sustained damage; and it may be taken for + granted that other parts of his body did not escape. He intimated + that for the present he wanted no more, and I was secretly glad + of it because I had been severely punished myself, although my + general appearance did not show it much. Surely the only course + open to me after so unjustifiable an attack was to resent not + only the insubordination, but the filthy personal attack on + myself. We had not arrived at the N.W. lightship where the tug + was to cast off the tow-rope when this rebellion began, and it + continued more or less until the vessel arrived at her + destination, where the whole of the refractory ones were put in + prison and kept there until she was ready to sail. They were then + brought aboard by police escort. Prison diet and prison treatment + had knocked a lot of the fight out of them, but the ship food + soon revived the devil in them again. We had not been at sea many + days before they commenced to revolt even against steering and + making or shortening sail. It was only by the application of + stringent measures that they were kept in subjection. It was + found necessary for the captain and officers not only to lock + their state-room doors when in bed, but to keep themselves well + armed in case of a sudden rising. The suspense of it was + terrible. We knew that a slight relaxation in the stern + disciplinary attitude might give them an opportunity which they + would be quick to take advantage of; it was therefore resolutely + adhered to. The captain instilled into his officers the doctrine + of keeping them always at work, bad weather or fine. "Make them + permanently tired," said he; "make them feel fit for their + bunks." That was all very well, but in order to carry this out + the officers were kept permanently tired also.</p> + + <p>Though many years have elapsed since those troubled days and + nights, the memory of them is still with me, watching, working, + wakeful, always on the alert, anticipating assassination; even my + brief sleep was troubled with visions of sanguinary conflict. It + was no mere delusion. Each day brought evidences of coming + trouble. How and when it would come did not matter, so long as we + were prepared for it. Whisperings and audible grumblings were + ominous tokens of what was in the wind. The captain and I had + some conversation concerning the situation. He was of opinion + that the sailor who opened the rebellion at the beginning of the + voyage would lead an open and concerted revolt, and perhaps I + agreed with him that something of the sort might easily happen; + so we resolved to keep a tight eye on this sinister development. + One night about ten o'clock, while beating through a narrow + channel, the captain said to me, "I am going below; you must take + charge." And after giving me the necessary instructions, he said + in a low tone, "Now mind, keep your eyes and ears wide open; you + may be taken unawares at any moment." I thanked him for the + advice, and he bade me good-night and left the poop. An Irishman + was at the wheel, and for a time his steering was good. As the + wind was dead in our teeth and blowing strong, the course was + full and by the wind. It soon became necessary to tack, and as it + is always customary for the officer in charge to take the helm in + performing this evolution, it became my duty to do so, but as + soon as the vessel was round, I told the man to take the wheel + again. I then proceeded to see that all the sails were properly + trimmed. This being done, I went on to the poop again, and as the + helmsman was steering in a most erratic fashion, first sailing + her bang off the wind and then shaking the sails almost aback, I + remonstrated with him, but to no purpose. At last I said to him + that if he did not steer better, I would be obliged to turn him + from the wheel. No greater disgrace can be inflicted on a + self-respecting seaman than this. I have known men suffer an + agony by the mere threat of it. But the heterogeneous crew that + we had to control had no sensitiveness of that kind. I was told, + amid a running stream of filthy swearing, to take the wheel + myself. The ship and all in authority were cursed with Hibernian + fluency. A special appeal was made for our immediate consignment + to the hottest part of hell. The harangue was suddenly cut short + by my jumping from the poop on top of him as he was about to pass + away from the helm. I had ordered a hand whom I could trust to + steer, while I became engaged in physically reproving this + blackguard for his insolence and disobedience to lawful commands. + During my struggle with him I felt a sharp prick as though a pin + had been run into me, but owing to the excitement of the moment I + took no further notice of it—indeed, I was too busy to + notice anything. The job did not prove so difficult as I had + anticipated. His accomplices did not come to his assistance, and + he evidently lost heart and became effusively submissive. The + captain relieved me at midnight, and I returned to my berth. I + was awakened during the watch by some one tapping at my door. It + turned out to be the captain. When I admitted him he showed me a + knife which he had picked up on the deck, and asked if I knew + whom it belonged to. I said "Yes, it belongs to the Irishman." + "Well," said he, "it was evidently his intention to bleed you." I + was sitting up in my bunk, and suddenly observed a clot of blood + on my shirt, and said to him, "I have been stabbed. Look at + this." I examined myself, and found a slight cut where I had felt + the sensation which I have spoken of. We conferred as to whether + he should be put in irons, and given up to the authorities at the + first port the vessel touched at. I asked to be allowed to deal + with him when he came on deck, and it was agreed that I should. + He was in due course ordered aft, and the knife shown to him. + When asked if it was his, he became afflicted with fear, and + admitted that he had attempted to stab me, and begged that he + should not be further punished, and if he were allowed to resume + his duty he promised with emotional profusion to give no further + annoyance to any one. The appeal was pathetic; it would have been + an act of vindictive cruelty not to have granted what he asked; + though his conduct in conjunction with the others had up to that + time been vicious in the extreme. It was thought desirable to + give his promises a test, with the result that he gave no outward + signs of violating them while the voyage lasted.</p> + + <p>These men were mutineers by profession. Sentiment, or what is + called moral suasion, was unintelligible to them. They were a + species of wild beast that could only be tamed by the knowledge + that they were weaker than the power set over them; and this + could only be conveyed in one way that was understandable to + them: that is, by coming down to their level for the time being, + and smashing their courage (and their heads if need be) with + electrical suddenness. If there was any hesitation, depend upon + it they would smash you. The moralist will declaim against the + adoption of such a doctrine, and will bring theoretic arguments + in support of his theories; but before commencing a tirade + against an unavoidable method, perhaps the moralist will state + whether he has ever been confronted with a situation which might + involve not only the unlawful absorption of supreme control, but + the sacrifice of life and valuable property as a consequence of + it. Let me put this proposition to them. Here is a vessel, it may + be, out on a trackless ocean hundreds of miles from land, her + forecastle hands consisting of a gang of murderous ruffians ready + to make lawful authority impotent, and, if need be, to enforce + their own by overpowering the captain and officers and making an + opportunity for mutiny. Let the moralists think of it; four or + five men at the mercy of a score of hang-dog scoundrels who + despise every moral law, and who talk lightly of murder and every + form of violent death! Let me ask them what their feelings would + be suppose any of their near relations were placed in the + position of having to fight for lawful supremacy and even for + life? I think this might be trying to their faith in theoretic + and sentimental government. But the question might be made more + impressive still by devoting a chapter to the hideous butchery + which horrified creation when the news came of the mutiny of the + <i>Flowery Land</i> and the <i>Caswell</i>. I should like people + who are so deadly virtuous as to repudiate self-preservation to + picture the decks of these two vessels washed in human blood, and + to imagine (if it is not too dreadful to do so) that some of it + belonged to a kinsman who was very dear to them. I think if they + are not past praying for they would then give up dispensing cant, + and direct their sympathies to a policy that has the merit of + being not only humane but logical. I well know how narrow the + dividing line is between proper and improper discipline; and know + also the care that should be used in such circumstances to act + with fairness and even kindness. But I am writing about a section + of men who mistake kindness for weakness, and who can only be + appealed to and swayed by the magic of fear. I could find + material to fill a three-hundred page book with the experiences + of that one eventful and hazardous voyage. Space forbids my + giving more than a brief account of it.</p> + + <p>After ten months' absence from Liverpool we arrived at + Antwerp. The conduct of some of the crew had been so shocking + that they feared the penalty of it, and they absconded + immediately on arrival, and were never heard of by us again. The + Irishman fulfilled his pledge so thoroughly that he was not only + pardoned but kept by the vessel. The more defiant of them saw the + thing through, and received only a portion of their wages, the + bulk of it being deducted for fines and forfeitures. I am bound + to say these men got what they richly deserved. They had on + several occasions endangered the safety of a handsome and + valuable vessel and the lives of all aboard. But for the loyalty + of the petty officers and the unyielding firmness of a strong, + capable captain underwriters would have had a heavy loss to pay + for.</p> + + <p>The tale I have been unfolding shows one unwholesome and + vicious aspect of sailor life. There is, happily, a more + attractive, peaceful, and manifestly brighter and purer aspect; + and those who live in it are beloved by every one.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + + <p>BRUTALITY AT SEA</p> + + <p>In those days the deep-sea shipmaster looked upon the collier + skipper as his inferior in everything, and regarded himself in + the light of an important personage. His bearing was that of a + man who believed that he was sent into the world so that great + deeds might be accomplished. He lavishly patronised everybody, + and never disguised his desire to repudiate all connection with + his less imposing fellow-worker in a different sphere. He would + pace the poop or quarter-deck of his vessel with the air of a + monarch. Sometimes a slight omission of deference to his monarchy + would take place on the part of officers or crew. That was an + infringement of dignity which had to be promptly reproved by + stern disciplinary measures.</p> + + <p>There were various methods open to him of inflicting + chastisement. An offending officer was usually ordered to his + berth for twenty-four hours—that is put off duty. The + seamen's offences were rigorously atoned for by their being what + is called "worked up," <i>i.e.,</i> kept on duty during their + watch below; or, what was more provoking still, they might be + ordered to "sweat up" sails that they knew did not require + touching. This idle aggravation was frequently carried out with + the object of getting the men to revolt; they were then logged + for refusing duty and their pay stopped at the end of the voyage. + It was not an infrequent occurrence for grown men to be + handcuffed for some minor offence that should never have been + noticed. The sight of human suffering and degradation was an + agreeable excitement to this class of officer or captain. If some + of the villainy committed in the name of the law at sea were to + be written, it would be a revolting revelation of wickedness, of + unheard-of cruelty. Small cabin-boys who had not seen more than + twelve summers were good sport for frosty-blooded scoundrels to + rope's-end or otherwise brutally use, because they failed to do + their part in stowing a royal or in some other way showed + indications of limited strength or lack of knowledge. The + barbarous creed of the whole class was to lash their subjects to + their duties. A little fellow, well known to myself, who had not + reached his thirteenth year, had his eyes blacked and his little + body scandalously maltreated because he had been made nervous by + continuous bullying, and did not steer so well as he might have + done had he been left alone. It is almost incredible, but it is + true, some of these rascals would at times have men hung up by + their thumbs in the mizen rigging for having committed what would + be considered nowadays a most trivial offence.</p> + + <p>One gentleman, well known in his time by the name of Bully + W——, stood on the poop of the square-rigged ship + <i>Challenge</i>, and <i>shot</i> a seaman who was at work on the + main yardarm! It was never known precisely why he did it; but it + was well known that had he not made his exit from the cabin + windows, and had he not received assistance to escape, he would + have been lynched by a furious public. This man once commanded a + crack, square-rigged clipper called the <i>Flying Cloud</i>. His + passages between New York and San Francisco were a marvel to + everybody. He was credited, as many others like him have been, + with having direct communication with the devil, and is said + never to have voluntarily taken canvas in. He was one of those + who used to lock tacks and sheets, so that if the officers were + overcome by fear they could not shorten canvas. His fame spread + until it was considered an honour to look upon him, much less to + know him. He became the object of adoration, and perhaps his + knowledge of this swelled his conceit, so that he came to believe + that even the shooting of his seamen was not a murderous, but a + permissible act, so far as <i>he</i> was concerned. But this man + was only one among scores like him.</p> + + <p>There was once a famous captain of a well-known Australian + clipper, a slashing, dare-devil fellow, who made the quickest + passages to and from Australia on record. But at last he lost his + head, and then of course his money, and died in very pinched + circumstances. Poor fellow, he couldn't stand corn! The people of + Liverpool gave a banquet in honour of him. He arrived late in the + banqueting hall, and there were indications that he was + inebriated. When he had to respond to the toast of his health he + shocked his audience by stating that he would either be in hell + or in Melbourne in so many days from the time of sailing. Destiny + ordained that he was not to be in hell, and not in Melbourne + either—only hard and fast on Australian rocks! His + misfortunes and his habits soon put an end to his professional + career, but his deeds are deservedly talked of to this day. He + was undoubtedly one of the smartest men of his time, and ought to + have been saved from the end that befell him.</p> + + <p>Captains who claimed public attention for reasons that would + not now be looked upon with favour were usually known by the + opprobrious name of "Bully this" or "Bully that;" but "Jack the + Devil" and "Hell Fire Jack" were perhaps as widely used names as + any others. There were various causes for the acquisition of such + distinction. It was generally the fearless way in which they + carried sail, and their harsh, brutal treatment of their crews + that fixed the epithet upon them. I am quite sure many of them + were proud of it. They were conscious of having done something to + deserve it. It will appear strange that seamen should have been + found to sail with such commanders; not only could they be found, + but many were even eager to sail with them, the reason being that + they desired to share some of the notoriety which their captains + had acquired. They loved to talk of having sailed in a vessel + made famous by the person who commanded her, even if he were a + bully! His heroics were made an everlasting theme. The A.B.s + rarely made more than one voyage with him; many of them deserted + even at the first port. The dreadful usage, and the fear of being + killed or drowned, were too much for them sometimes.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + + <p>BRAVERY</p> + + <p>Amid the many sides of the average sailor's character there is + none that stands out so prominently as that of bravery and + resourcefulness. Here is an instance of both qualities. Three or + four years ago a Russian Nihilist made his escape from the + Siberian mines and travelled to Vladivostock. A British ship was + lying there, and the poor refugee came aboard and claimed the + protection of her captain. The vessel could not sail for a few + days, which gave his pursuers an opportunity of overtaking him. + They got to know where he was, and proceeded to demand that he + should be given up. They relied, as many other whipper-snappers + do, on the importance of their official position and the glitter + of their elaborate uniform to strike awe and terror into the soul + of the British captain! They soon found out what a mistake they + had made. "Gentlemen," said the resolute commander, "the person + whom you call your prisoner has placed himself under the + protection of the British flag. A British ship is British + territory, hence he is a free man, and I must request that you + cease to molest us or make any attempt to take him by force." + They urged Imperial penalties and international complications; + but this brave and resourceful man disregarded their threats, + again reminding them that he stood on the deck of a British + vessel; and that if they did anything in violation of his power + and authority, complications would arise from his side instead of + from theirs. He was allowed to sail with his interesting + passenger aboard, and I hope the latter was genuinely grateful to + his heroic protector for ever after. The name of such a man + should be covered with imperishable fame.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 446px;"> + <a name="fp115" id="fp115"></a> <img src="images/fp115.jpg" + width="446" height="320" alt= + "A PARTING CHEER TO THE OUTWARD BOUND" title= + "A PARTING CHEER TO THE OUTWARD BOUND" /> <b>A PARTING CHEER TO + THE OUTWARD BOUND</b> + </div> + + <p>Here is another bit of quiet bravery, loftier than the + slaughter, in hot or cold blood, of one's fellow-creatures! About + twenty-eight or twenty-nine years ago, a German vessel ran into + and sank off Dungeness an emigrant ship called the <i>North + Fleet</i>. She was a fine vessel. Her commander had married a + young lady a few days before sailing from London, and she + accompanied him on the voyage. When the collision occurred there + was a rush made for the boats. Men clamoured for a place to the + exclusion of women and children! The captain called out that he + would shoot the first man who prevented or did not assist the + women to save themselves, and I believe he had reason to put his + threat into practice. He stood on the poop with his revolver in + hand ready for action. When the proper time came, he asked his + bride to take his arm, and led her to the gangway. They kissed + each other affectionately. He whispered in her ear, "Courage, + dear, I must do my duty." Then he handed her into the boat which + was in charge of an officer, and exhorted him to take special + care of her whom he had so recently led from the altar and to + whom he had said his last farewell! He then proceeded to his post + on the quarter-deck, and stood there until the vessel sank and + the sea flowed over him. The opinion at the time was that he + could have saved his life if he had made an effort to do so. I + question this very much, as many of the people were picked up in + the water, clinging to wreckage; the boats being overcrowded. The + only way by which he could have been saved was to displace some + one or clutch at a piece of wreck. He preferred death to the + former, and there is no evidence that he did not attempt to save + himself by means of the latter. The probability is that he gave + any such opportunity to some drowning man or woman, and + sacrificed himself. Honour to this brave man who died, not while + taking life, but in saving it!</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + + <p>CHANTIES</p> + + <p>The signing on and the sailing from Liverpool or London docks + of these vessels were not only exciting but pathetic occasions. + The chief officer usually had authority to pick the crew. The men + would be brought into the yard and formed into line. The + chanty-man was generally the first selection, and care was taken + that the balance should be good choristers, and that all were + able to produce good discharges for conduct and ability. It was a + great sight to see the majestic-looking vessels sail away. The + dock walls would be crowded with sympathetic audiences who had + come not only to say farewell, but to listen to the sweet though + sombre refrain that charged the air with the enchanting pathos + and beauty of "Goodbye, fare you well." The like of it has never + been heard since those days. Attempts have been made to reproduce + the original, and have failed. Nobody can reproduce anything like + it, because it is a gift exclusively the sailors' own, and the + charm filled the soul with delightful emotions that caught you + like a strong wind.</p> + + <p>The chanty-man was a distinguished person whom it was + impolitic to ignore. He was supposed to combine the genius of a + musical prodigy and an impromptu poet! If his composition was + directed to any real or even imaginary grievances, it was always + listened to by sensible captains and officers without showing any + indications of ill-humour. Indeed, I have seen captains laugh + very heartily at these exquisite comic thrusts which were + intended to shape the policy of himself and his officers towards + the crew. If the captain happened to be a person of no humour and + without the sense of music this method of conveyance was + abortive, but it went on all the same until nature forced a + glimpse into his hazy mind of what it all meant! Happily there + are few sailors who inherit such a defective nature. It is a good + thing that some of these thrilling old songs have been preserved + to us. Even if they do not convey an accurate impression of the + sailors' way of rendering them, they give some faint idea of it. + The complicated arrangement of words in some of the songs is + without parallel in their peculiar jargon, and yet there are + point and intention evident throughout them. For setting sail, + "Blow, boys, blow" was greatly favoured, and its quivering, weird + air had a wild fascination in it. "Boney was a warrior" was + singularly popular, and was nearly always sung in hoisting the + topsails. The chanty-man would sit on the topsail halyard block + and sing the solo, while the choristers rang out with touching + beauty the chorus, at the same time giving two long, strong pulls + on the halyards. This song related mainly to matters of history, + and was sung with a rippling tenderness which seemed to convey + that the singers' sympathies were with the Imperial martyr who + was kidnapped into exile and to death by a murderous section of + the British aristocracy. The soloist warbled the great Emperor's + praises, and portrayed him as having affinity to the godlike. His + death was proclaimed as the most atrocious crime committed since + the Crucifixion, and purgatory was assigned as a fitting + repository for the souls of his mean executioners. The words of + these songs may be distressing jargon, but the refrain as sung by + the seamen was very fine to listen to:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>HAUL THE BOWLING (SETTING SAIL)<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Haul th' bowlin', the fore and maintack + bowlin',<br /></span> <span class="i2">Haul th' bowlin', the + bowlin' haul!<br /></span> <span>Haul th' bowlin', the + skipper he's a-growlin',<br /></span> <span class="i2">Haul + th' bowlin', the bowlin' haul.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Haul th' bowlin', oh Kitty is me darlin',<br /></span> + <span class="i2">Haul th' bowlin', the bowlin' + haul.<br /></span> <span>Haul th' bowlin', the packet is a + bowlin';<br /></span> <span class="i2">Haul th' bowlin', the + bowlin' haul.<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>As for the song itself, it was as follows:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>BONEY WAS A WARRIOR<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Oh, Boney was a Corsican,<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Oh, Boney was a + Corsican,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France wa! + (François.)<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>But Boney was a warrior,<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>But Boney was a + warrior,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Oh, Boney licked the Austrians!—<br /></span> + <span class="i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Oh, Boney + licked the Austrians!—<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">John France wa!<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>The Russians and the Prussians!<br /></span> + <span class="i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>The Russians + and the Prussians!<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Five times he entered Vienna!<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Five times he entered + Vienna,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>He married an Austrian princess,<br /></span> + <span class="i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>He married an + Austrian princess,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Then he marched on Moscow,<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Then he marched on + Moscow,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>But Moscow was a-blazing!<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>But Moscow was + a-blazing,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Then Boney he retreated,<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Then Boney he + retreated,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Boney went to Waterloo,<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Boney went to + Waterloo,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>And Boney was defeated,<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>And Boney was + defeated,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Oh Boney's made a prisoner,<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Oh Boney's made a + prisoner,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>They sent him to St. Helena!<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>They sent him to St. + Helena,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa!<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Oh Boney was ill-treated!<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Oh Boney was + ill-treated,<br /></span> <span class="i3">John France + wa!<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Oh Boney's heart was broken!<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Oh Boney's heart was + broken,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Oh Boney died a warrior;—<br /></span> + <span class="i4">Oh aye oh,<br /></span> <span>Oh Boney died + a warrior,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa.<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>But Boney was an Emperor!<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Oh aye oh!<br /></span> <span>But Boney was an + Emperor,<br /></span> <span class="i4">John France + wa!<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>This song never failed to arouse the greatest enthusiasm, so + much so that the officer in charge had to keep a keen eye on what + was going on and shout out "belay!" before something should be + broken! The sailors' regard for the great Emperor was a passion; + and as they neared the final tragedy they seemed to imagine they + were in combat with his foes, so that it was dangerous to leave + them without strict supervision.</p> + + <p>One of the most rollicking and joyous days the sailor had + during a voyage was that on which his dead horse expired; that + is, when his month's advance was worked out. If he took a month's + advance, he always considered that he had worked that month for + nothing: and, literally, he had done so, as the money given to + him in advance usually went towards paying a debt or having a + spree; so it was fitting, considering these circumstances, that + special recognition should be made of the arrival of such a + period. An improvised horse was therefore constructed, and a + block with a rope rove through it was hooked on to the main + yardarm. The horse was bent on, and the ceremony commenced by + leading the rope to the winch or capstan, and the song entitled + "The Dead Horse" was sung with great gusto. The funeral + procession as a rule was spun out a long time, and when the horse + was allowed to arrive at the yard arm the rope was slipped and he + fell into the sea amid much hilarity! The verse which announces + his death was as follows:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"They say my horse is dead and + gone;—<br /></span> <span>And they say so, and they say + so!<br /></span> <span>They say my horse is dead and + gone;—<br /></span> <span class="i4">Oh, poor old + man!"<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>The verse which extinguishes him by dropping him into the sea + goes like this:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"Then drop him to the depths of the + sea;—<br /></span> <span>And they say so, and they say + so!<br /></span> <span>Then drop him to the depths of the + sea;—<br /></span> <span class="i4">Oh, poor old + man!"<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>This finished the important event of the voyage; then began + many pledges of thrift to be observed for evermore, which were + never kept longer than the arrival at the next port, or at the + longest until the arrival at a home port, when restraint was + loosened. The same old habits were resumed, and the same old + month's advance was required before sailing on another + voyage.</p> + + <p>The "White Stocking Day" was as great an event ashore as the + Dead Horse day was at sea. The sailors' wives, mothers, or + sweethearts always celebrated half-pay day by wearing white + stockings and by carrying their skirts discreetly high enough so + that it might be observed. This custom was carried out with rigid + regularity, and the participators were the objects of sympathetic + attraction. Poor things, there is no telling what it cost them in + anxiety to keep it up. Their half-pay would not exceed thirty + shillings per month, and they had much to do with it, besides + providing white stockings and a suitable rig to grace the + occasion.</p> + + <p>"We're homeward bound and I hear the sound," was the favourite + song when heaving up the anchor preparatory to pointing homeward. + This chanty has a silken, melancholy, and somewhat soft + breeziness about it, and when it was well sung its flow went + fluttering over the harbour, which re-echoed the joyous tidings + until soloist and choristers alike became entranced by the power + of their own performances; and the multitudes who on these + occasions came to listen did not escape the rapture of the + fleeting throbs of harmony which charged the atmosphere, and made + you feel that you would like to live under such sensations for + ever!</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>HOMEWARD BOUND (HEAVING THE ANCHOR)<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Our anchor's a-weigh and our sails are well + set;—<br /></span> <span class="i2">Goodbye, fare you + well; goodbye, fare you well!<br /></span> <span>And the + friends we are leaving we leave with<br /></span> + <span class="i4">regret;—<br /></span> <span class= + "i2">Hurrah! my boys, we're homeward bound!<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>We're homeward bound, and I hear the + sound;—<br /></span> <span class="i2">Goodbye, fare you + well; goodbye, fare you well!<br /></span> <span>Come, heave + on the cable and make it spin round!—<br /></span> + <span class="i2">Hurrah! my boys, we're homeward + bound!<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>Oh let ourselves go, and heave long and + strong;—<br /></span> <span class="i2">Goodbye, fare + you well; goodbye, fare you well!<br /></span> <span>Sing + then the chorus for 'tis a good song;—<br /></span> + <span class="i2">Hurrah! my boys, we're homeward + bound!<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>We're homeward bound you've heard me + say;—<br /></span> <span class="i2">Goodbye, fare you + well; goodbye, fare you well!<br /></span> <span>Hook on the + cat-fall, and then run away!<br /></span> <span class= + "i2">Hurrah! my boys, we're homeward bound!<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>After a long, dreary pilgrimage of trackless oceans, the last + chant had to be sung as their vessel was being warped through the + docks to her discharging berth; and now all their grievances, + joys, and sorrows were poured forth in "Leave her, Johnnie, leave + her!" It was their last chance of publicly announcing approval or + disapproval of their ship, their captain, and their treatment. + Here is a sample of it:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"I thought I heard the skipper say,<br /></span> + <span class="i2">'Leave her, Johnnie, leave her!<br /></span> + <span>To-morrow you will get your pay,<br /></span> + <span class="i2">Leave her, Johnnie, leave her!'<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>The work was hard, the voyage was + long;—<br /></span> <span class="i2">Leave her, + Johnnie, leave her!<br /></span> <span>The seas were high, + the gales were strong;—<br /></span> <span class= + "i2">It's time for us to leave her!<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>The food was bad, the wages low;—<br /></span> + <span class="i2">Leave her, Johnnie, leave her!<br /></span> + <span>But now ashore again we'll go;—<br /></span> + <span class="i2">It's time for us to leave her!<br /></span> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <span>The sails are furled, our work is done!<br /></span> + <span class="i2">Leave her, Johnnie, leave her!<br /></span> + <span>And now on shore we'll have our fun!<br /></span> + <span class="i2">It's time for us to leave her! &c, + &c."<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Such songs were not stereotyped in their composition. They + varied according to circumstances. Sometimes they were + denunciatory, and at other times full of fun, praise of the ship, + and pathos. There was seldom a middle course, but whatever side + was taken the spontaneous poetic effusion was not ended until the + whole story had been unfolded.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + + <p>JACK IN RATCLIFF HIGHWAY</p> + + <p>As soon as the vessel was moored in a home port, decks cleared + up and washed down, the mate intimated to the crew that their + services would not be required any longer; and those who wanted + it, received a portion of the balance of wages due to them in + advance until they signed clear of the articles. There were few + who did not take advantage of this, and many of them had + disbursed it in one way or another long before the three days' + grace, which was allowed the captain to make up his accounts and + pay off, had expired.</p> + + <p>The villainous agencies at work in those days (and even in + these) to decoy poor Jack, could be counted by the score. Their + task was not a difficult one. They knew him to be a complacent + prey for their plans to drug and rob him. Many of these poor + fellows on the first night after landing would allow the whole of + a voyage's earnings to be bartered from them, so that before they + actually received their balance of wages they had spent it, and + they became ready for the first ship, which oft-times, indeed, + was long in turning up. Meanwhile they were turned into the + street without any compunction, just as they stood. Of course + they were to blame; but what about the evil tribe who tempted + them? They should have been made to refund every penny that had + been extorted while their victims were under the influence of + drink, or should have been made to do six months in lieu of + refunding. This plan might be adopted with advantage to the + community even at the present time.</p> + + <p>In these sailor circles there was once a well-known + incorrigible named Jimmie Hall, a native of Blyth, who for the + most part sailed out of London on long voyages. It did not matter + how long Jimmie had been away on a voyage, or how much pay he had + to take, he was never longer than a week in funds, and more + frequently only one or two days. This half-tamed creature was + walking up Ratcliffe Highway one winter morning between two and + three o'clock, and he met an old shipmate of his. They greeted + each other with some warmth. Jimmie's friend related to him a + tale of destitution. He had been on the spree, spent all his + money, and two days before had been turned out of the boarding + house, and had slept out for two nights. Jimmie, with sailor-like + generosity, said, "I am glad to have met you. It gives me an + opportunity of asking you to share with me rooms at my + hotel."</p> + + <p>"Hotel!" gasped the bewildered shipmate. "Have you had money + left you? You always were a good sort."</p> + + <p>"No," said his companion; "I have had no money left me, but I + thought I would stay in an hotel this time. I can go out and in + whenever I like, and I find it an advantage to do so. The doors + are always open. Come along!"</p> + + <p>The two friends walked up the highway arm in arm, Jimmie + observing a patronising silence while his companion covered him + with affectionate compliments. After they had walked a + considerable distance in meditation, the shipmate said—</p> + + <p>"Where is the hotel? Are we far off?"</p> + + <p>"No," said the accommodating Jimmie; "here it is. I must make + one condition with you before we get any nearer. You must go in + by the back door."</p> + + <p>"I will go in by any b—— door you like. I am not a + particular chap in that way!"</p> + + <p>"Very well," said Jimmie, pointing to an object in the middle + of the road; "then you go in there, and I will go in by the + front."</p> + + <p>"But," said his shipmate, "that is a boiler."</p> + + <p>"<i>You</i>" said the philanthropic James, "may call it what + you like, but, for the time being, it is my hotel! It has been my + residence for two weeks, and I offer you the end I do not use. If + you accept it, all that you require to make you perfectly + comfortable is a bundle of straw. We shall sit rent free!"</p> + + <p>Needless to say the offer was accepted, and the two "plants" + lived together until they got a ship.</p> + + <p>Mr. Hall's knowledge of the Highway, as it was called, enabled + him to be of occasional service to the police, hence he was on + the most cordial terms of friendship with them. He could swoop + plain-clothes men through intricacies which flashed with the + flames of crime, without exciting the slightest suspicion of the + object he had in view. He could talk, swear, and drink in + accurate harmony with his acquaintances, and was looked upon with + favour by a circle of estimable friends. Members of the + constabulary were always considerate and accommodating towards + him during his periodic outbursts of alcoholic craving. He owed + much to the care they took of him during his fits of debauchery; + and he was not unmindful of it when he had the wherewithal to + compensate them. Like most of those wayward inebriates who + followed the sea as a calling, he was a perfect sailor; and even + his capricious sensual habits did not prevent him being sought to + rejoin vessels he had sailed in.</p> + + <p>Jimmie Hall was only one among thousands of fine fellows who + were encouraged to go to bestial excesses by gangs of predatory + vermin (men and women) who infested Wapping and Ratcliffe + Highway.</p> + + <p>There was a tradition amongst sailors, which I am inclined to + give some credence to, that a certain barber who had a shop in + the Highway availed himself of the opportunity, while cutting the + hair or shaving his sailor customers—mainly, it was + thought, those who were sodden with drink—to sever their + wind-pipe, rob them of all they had, and then pull the bolt of a + carefully concealed trap-door which communicated with the Thames, + and drop their weighted bodies out of sight! This system of + sanguinary murder is supposed to have been carried on for some + years, until a sailor of great physical power, suspecting foul + play to some of his pals, went boldly in, was politely asked to + take his seat, and assumed a drunken attitude which caused the + barber to think he had an easy victim. The barber wormed his way + into Jack's confidence, who was very communicative as to the + length of his voyage and the amount of money he had been paid off + with. He flattered him with loving profusion, and was about to + take the razor up and commence his deadly work, when the sailor, + who had discerned the secret trap, jumped up, pulled a revolver + from his pocket, and demanded that the trap-door should be shown + to him, or his brains would be scattered all over the place! The + barber implored that his life should be spared, and piteously + denied the existence of a secret communication with the river. + Jack's attitude was threatening; the supplicant pleaded that if + his life was spared he would do what was asked of him. The + condition was agreed on, and the trap opened. It disclosed a + liquid vault. The sailor accused the panic-stricken villain of + foul murder, and of having this place as a repository for his + unsuspecting victims, and the man shrieked alternate incoherent + denials and confessions. The sailor suspected the awful truth all + along, but now he became satisfied of it, and forcing the barber + towards the vault, he ordered him to jump down; he had to choose + between this and being shot. He preferred the former mode of + extinction, so plunged in. The hatch was then covered over him, + and there were no more murders.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 315px;"> + <a name="fp134" id="fp134"></a> <img src="images/fp134.jpg" + width="315" height="465" alt= + "RATCLIFF HIGHWAY: "CARRYING SMALL CANVAS"" title= + "RATCLIFF HIGHWAY: "CARRYING SMALL CANVAS"" /> + <b>RATCLIFF HIGHWAY: "CARRYING SMALL CANVAS"</b> + </div> + + <p>Another of the many instances of the resourceful mariner's + irrepressible gaiety even under most embarrassing conditions is + contained in a story which I heard related aboard ship in the + early days of my sea-life many times, and the veracity of it was + always vouched for by the narrator whose personal acquaintance + with the gentlemen concerned was an indispensable factor in the + interest of the tale, and a distinction he was proud of to a + degree. I have said that Ratcliffe Highway was the rendezvous of + seafaring men. It provided them with a wealth of facilities for + the expeditious disposal of money that had been earned at great + hazard, and not infrequently by the sweat of anguish. One chilly + November morning a sailor was walking down the Highway. His step + was jerky and uncertain, for his feet were bare; his sole + articles of dress consisted of a cotton shirt and a pair of + trousers that seemed large enough to take another person inside + of them. These were kept from dropping off by what is known as a + soul-and-body lashing—that is, a piece of cord or rope-yarn + tied round the waist. His manner indicated that he felt satisfied + with himself and at peace with all creation, as he chanted with a + husky voice the following song:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"Sing goodbye to Sally, and goodbye to + Sue;<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">Away—Rio!<br /></span> <span>And you who are + listening, goodbye to you,<br /></span> <span>For we're bound + to Rio Grande!<br /></span> <span class="i4">And + away—Rio, aye Rio!<br /></span> <span>Sing fare ye + well, my bonny young girl,<br /></span> <span class= + "i4">We're bound for Rio Grande!"<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>He was met by a shipmate just then who had been searching for + him during several days. The song was cut short by the mutual + warmth of greeting.</p> + + <p>"What ho, Jack!" interjected the faithful comrade, with a + gigantic laugh; "you are under very small canvas this morning. + Have you been in heavy weather?"</p> + + <p>"Yes," said Jack, "I have; but there's a fellow coming up + astern must have had it worse than me. He <i>was</i> under bare + poles, but I see he's got a suit of newspapers bent now, and he's + forging ahead very fast!"</p> + + <p>There is a grim humour about this story which brings a certain + type of sailor vividly to mind.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER + XIII</h2> + + <p>THE MATTER-OF-FACT SAILOR</p> + + <p>I always feel inclined to break the law when I see a West End + or any other dandy on a theatrical stage libelling the sailor by + his silly personification: hitching his breeches, slapping his + thigh, lurching his body, and stalking about in a generally + ludicrous fashion, at the same time using phrases which the real + sailor would disdain to use: such as "my hearty," + "shiver-my-timbers," and other stupid expressions that Jack of + to-day never thinks of giving utterance to. If theatrical folk + would only take the trouble to acquaint themselves with the real + characteristics of the sailor, and caricature him accurately, + they would find, even in these days, precious material to make + play from. Even Jack's culpable vagaries, if reproduced in + anything like original form, might be utilised to entertaining + effect; but the professional person insists upon making him + appear with a quid rolling about in his mouth and his stomach + brimful of slang, which he empties as occasion may require. It + may or may not go down with their audiences, but the tar himself + cannot stand it. I was seated beside a typical sailor in a London + theatre not very long ago, and a few gentlemen in nautical attire + came one after the other strutting on to the stage. Their + performances were quite unsailorly, so much so that my neighbour + said to me: "If this goes on much longer I shall have to go. Just + fancy," said he, "a matter-of-fact sailor making such a + d——fool of himself!" I reminded him that this + achievement was not so rare an occurrence. But he was not to be + appeased! The sailor of the olden times never used tinsel + nautical terms. His dialect was straight and strong, and his + peculiar dandyism very funny. His hair used to be combed behind + his ears, he wore a broad, flat cap cocked to one side, and his + ears were adorned with light drops of gold or silver; and when he + went forth to do his courting he seemed to be vastly puzzled as + to the form his walk should take. Alas! all this has passed away, + and our eyes shall see it never more; but the fascination of it + is fixed in one's memory, and it is pleasant to think of even + now.</p> + + <p>The average seaman has always expressed himself with + unmistakable clearness on matters pertaining to his profession. I + was walking down the main street of a seafaring town some years + ago, when I saw a group of people standing at a window looking at + an oil-painting of a large, square-rigged ship which had been + caught in a squall. The royals and top-gallant sails had been let + fly, and they were supposed to be flapping about as sails will in + a squall if the yards are not trimmed so as to keep them quiet. + There were two sailors in the group who were criticising the + painting with some warmth: the ropes were not as they should be, + the braces and stays were not properly regulated, and "Whoever + saw sails flying about like that!" said the more voluble of the + two. The other dryly retorted, "I don't know, mister, what + <i>you</i> think, but I want to say that I have seen them cut + some d—— funny capers at times!" This very + sailor-like sally both tickled the audience and convinced it that + the sails were really correctly drawn.</p> + + <p>On another occasion, during the prevalence of one of the most + terrible easterly gales that ever visited the north-east coast, a + multitude of people had congregated on the south pier at the + mouth of the Tyne to witness the vessels making for the great + Northern Harbour. The sight was awful in its peculiar beauty, the + foam fluted and danced on the troubled air until it found a + resting place far up the inner reaches of the harbour. There were + seen in the distance two sailing vessels labouring amid a + wrathful commotion of roaring seas. As they approached the + harbour the excitement became universal. Women stood there + transfixed with dread lest the storm-tossed vessels should be + conveying some of their beloved relations to a tragic doom. Two + gentlemen of clerical voice and appearance conversed with obvious + agitation, one of whom audibly spoke of the grandeur and + picturesque charm of the flurry of wild waters. "Look at them," + said he, "as they curtsey and rustle along to the kiss of the + tempest. Oh, it is a magnificent sight!" A few burly, + weather-beaten sailors stood hard by. It soon became apparent + that their professional pride had been touched by the poetic + babble to which they had listened. One of them took upon himself + the task of interjecting what the practical opinion of himself + and friends was by addressing the aesthetic dreamer in accents of + stern reproof: "<i>You</i>," said he, "may call it grandeur and + picturesque and magnificent and curtseying, but we call it a + damned dirty business. If you were aboard of one of them, you + wouldn't talk about rustling through the cloven sea to the kiss + of the tempest, you would be too tarnation keen on getting + ashore!"</p> + + <p>The orator had just finished his harangue when one of the + vessels, a brigantine, was crossing the bar. The supreme moment + had come. All eyes and minds were fixed on the doomed vessel; men + were seen clinging to the rigging, and one solitary figure stood + at the wheel directing her course through a field of rushing + whiteness. She was supposed to have crossed the worst spot, when + a terrific mountain of remorseless liquid was seen galloping with + mad pace until it lashed over her and she became reduced to + atoms. Nothing but wreckage was seen afterwards. The crew all + perished. It was a heartrending sight, which sent the onlookers + into uncontrollable grief. The sailor was right: "It was a dirty + business."</p> + + <p>The sporting instinct in the <i>bonâ-fide</i> British + seaman was always very strong. The white-washed Yankee—that + is to say, not a real American, but a Blue-nose, <i>i.e.</i>, a + Nova Scotiaman—was never very popular, because of his + traditional bullying and swaggering when all was going well, and + his cowardice in times of danger. Once a vessel was coming from + 'Frisco, and when off Cape Horn she ran into an ice-berg which + towered high above the sailors' heads. There was great commotion + and imminent peril. A Blue-nose was chief mate, and he became + panic-stricken, flopped on to his knees, and piteously appealed + for Divine interposition to save them from untimely death. The + second mate, who was a real John Bull, believed in work rather + than prayer, at least so long as their position threatened sudden + extinction. He observed the petitioner in the undignified + position of kneeling in prayer beside the mainmast. It angered + him so that he put a peremptory stop to his pleadings by bringing + his foot violently in contact with the posterior portion of his + body, simultaneously asking him, "Why the h—- he did not + pray before? It's not a damned bit of good praying now the + trouble has arisen! Get on to your pins," said the irate officer, + "and do some useful work! This is no time for snivelling + lamentations. Keep the men in heart!" There was pretty fair logic + in this rugged outburst of enlightenment. But while this striking + flow of opposition to prayer under such circumstances was + proceeding, the thought of peril was briefly obscured by the + sight of a pretty little girl, a daughter of one of the + passengers, frollicking with the ice which had tumbled on the + deck, in innocent oblivion of the danger that encompassed her. + What a beautiful picture! By skilful manoeuvring the vessel was + extricated from an ugly position, and the unhappy first mate who + had neglected to put himself into communication with the Deity + before the accident happened, became the object of poignant + dislike for having broken one of the most important articles of + nautical faith by doing so afterwards!</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + + <p>RESOURCEFULNESS AND SHIPWRECK</p> + + <p>If the oceans of the world could speak, what marvellous tales + of heroism they could relate that are hidden in the oblivion of + their depths. Sailors generally are singularly reticent about + their adventures. They are sensitive about being thought + boastful; the nature of their training and employment is so + pregnant with danger that they become accustomed to treat what + most people would consider very daring acts as a part of their + ordinary business that should not be made a fuss about. Hence + many a gallant deed has been done that was never heard of beyond + the ocean and the vessel where it took place.</p> + + <p>There is not a crew that sails on salt water that could not + relate after every voyage they make events and doings thrilling + with interest which would be considered stirring and brave if + they had taken place on shore among persons other than sailors. + It is no uncommon thing to hear the cry "A man overboard!" while + a vessel is being rushed through a heavy sea at a great speed, + and the alarm is no sooner given than some gallant fellow is seen + to jump overboard to his rescue. Not long ago a large vessel + bound out to the west coast of South America was running before + heavy north-east trade winds and a high following roller. A man + was seen to fall from the foretopsail yard right overboard before + the order could be given to haul the vessel to the wind. One of + his shipmates plunged into the bosom of a mountainous sea without + divesting himself of any clothing; even his boots had to be taken + off in the water. The ship was promptly brought to the wind, and + skilfully manipulated towards the drowning man and his rescuer. + The order was given to lower the cutter, and a scramble was made + for the distinction of being one of the crew. The two men battled + with the waves until the boat reached them. They were taken into + her and saved. A short paragraph in the newspapers telling the + simple story was all that was heard of it.</p> + + <p>Three years ago, Mr. Barney Barnato, the millionaire, was + coming home from South Africa, and when off the Western Islands, + from some cause or other he fell overboard. The mail steamer must + have been going sixteen or seventeen knots an hour at the time, + but it did not prevent the second officer (I think it was) from + jumping in after him and recovering his body, though, alas! it + was inanimate. This brave fellow's act was made famous by a + gifted and wealthy young lady passenger falling in love with him, + and he of course with her. They have since been married, and I + wish them all the blessings that earth and heaven can bestow upon + them. I believe Mrs. Barnato and the executors of the genial + Barney showed their appreciation in a suitable way also.</p> + + <p>Few people except sailors and passengers who may have + witnessed it can fully realise how difficult it must be to keep + an eye on a person in the sea, even if it is perfectly smooth. It + is one of the most exciting experiences of sea-life. All except + the rescuing party and the man at the wheel run up the rigging + and gaze with frantic eagerness to keep in view and direct the + boat towards where they think the object of their mission is. It + often happens that all their efforts are unavailing, and when the + search has to be given up a creepy sensation, like some + shuddering hint of death, takes possession of you. I have more + than once felt it. Sailors on these occasions are subdued and + divinely sentimental, though their courage remains undaunted.</p> + + <p>There are, however, phases of bravery, endurance, and + resourcefulness that test every fibre of the seaman's versatile + composition; and a communication to the outer world of the + tremendous struggles he is called upon to bear would be + calculated to stagger the lay imagination. It would take a + spacious library to contain all that could be written of his + bitter experiences and toilsome pilgrimages throughout ages of + storm and stress. The pity is so much of it is lost to us, but + this again is owing to the sailor's habitual reticence about his + own career. A characteristic instance of this occurred to me + about six months ago. I had business in a shipyard, and the + gateman who admitted me is one of the last of the seamen of the + middle of the century. He was for many years master of sailing + vessels belonging to a north-east coast port. He is a + fine-looking, intelligent old fellow. I knew him by repute in my + boyhood days; he had the reputation then of being a smart + captain, and owners readily gave him employment. After greeting + me with sailor-like cordiality, he commenced to converse about + the old days, and as the conversation proceeded the weird sadness + of his look gradually disappeared, his eyes began to sparkle, and + joy soon suffused his ruddy face. His soul was ablaze with + reminiscences, and his unaffected talk was easy and delightful to + listen to. I was reluctant to break the charm of it by + introducing a subject that might be distasteful to him. It was my + desire to hear <i>from his own lips</i> a tale of shipwreck which + is virtually without parallel in its ghastly tragedy. I + instinctively felt myself creeping on to sacred ground. As soon + as I mentioned the matter his countenance changed and he became + pensive. A far-off look came over him, which indicated that a + tender chord had been touched. Obviously his thoughts were + revisiting the scene of a fierce conflict for life. The sight was + sublime, and when I saw the moisture come into his eyes and his + breast heave with emotion, it made me wish that I had not + reminded him of it. At length he began to unfold the awful story. + He was master of a brig called the <i>Ocean Queen</i>. I think he + said it was in the month of December, 1874. They sailed from a + Gulf of Finland port laden with deals. After many days they + reached the longitude of Gotland; they were then overtaken by a + hurricane from the west which battered the vessel until she + became water-logged and dismasted. The crew lashed themselves + where they could, and huddled together for warmth to minimise the + effects of the biting frost and the mad turmoil of boiling foam + which continuously swept over the doomed vessel, and caked itself + into granite-like lumps of ice. At intervals they would try to + keep their blood from freezing by watching a "slant" when there + was a comparative smooth, and run along the deckload a few times, + keeping hold of the life-line that was stretched fore and aft for + this purpose. After twelve hours the force of the tempest was + broken, and they were able to take more exercise, but they were + without food and water, and no succour came near them. They held + stoutly out against the privations for two days, then one after + another began to succumb to the combined ravages of cold, thirst, + and hunger. Some of them died insane, and others fought on until + Nature became exhausted, and they also passed into the Valley of + Death. There were now only the captain and a coloured seaman + left. The wind and sea were drifting the vessel towards the + Prussian coast, and on the fifth morning after she became + water-logged the wreck stranded on a sandy beach two hours before + daylight. The captain and his coloured companion attached + themselves to a plank, and by superhuman effort reached the + shore. They buried their bodies up to the waist in sand under the + shelter of a hill, believing it would generate some warmth into + their impoverished systems. Their extremities were badly + frostbitten, and when they were discovered at daylight by a man + on horseback who had been attracted to the scene of the wreck, + they were both in a condition of semi-consciousness. He galloped + off for assistance, and speedily had them placed under medical + treatment, and under the roof of hospitable people. A few days' + rest and proper attention made them well enough to be removed to + a hospital. It was soon found necessary to amputate both of the + coloured man's legs, and also some of his fingers. The captain + had the soles of his feet cut off; and he told me that he always + regretted not having the feet taken off altogether, as he had + never been free from suffering during all these years. He said + the doctor advised it, but that he himself was so anxious to save + them that he preferred to have the soles scraped to the bone, + hoping that the diseased parts would heal; "but," said he with an + air of sober melancholy, "they never have."</p> + + <p>Long before this story of piercing sadness, and horror, and + heroism, and superb endurance was finished, I felt a big lump in + my throat, and every nerve of me was tingling with emotion; and + as I passed from the presence of this noble old fellow and + pondered over all he had so reluctantly and modestly told me of + himself, it made me conclude that I had been holding converse + with a hero! I have been obliged to confine myself to a brief + outline of this tale of shipwreck. There are incidents of it too + painful to relate, and I am quite sure I am consulting the wishes + of the narrator by abstaining from going too minutely into + detail. The main facts are given, and they may be relied on as + absolutely true.</p> + + <p>The seamen of the middle of the nineteenth century were + trained to be ingenious and resourceful in emergencies, and, as a + rule, they did not disgrace their training. If a jib-boom was + carried away, a mast sprung, or a yard fractured, they had only + to be told to have it fished. They knew how to do this as well as + their officers did, and would not brook being instructed. If a + mast was carried away they regarded it as a privilege to obey the + captain's instructions to have jury masts rigged, and it is not + an exaggeration to say that astonishing feats of genius have been + done on occasions such as these.</p> + + <p>In 1864 I was an apprentice aboard a brig bound from the Tyne + to the Baltic; Tynemouth Castle bore west 60 miles. A strong + north-west wind was blowing, and the sea was very cross. A press + of canvas was being carried. The second mate being in charge, + orders were given to take in the foretopgallant sail. It was + clewed up, and just as another apprentice and myself were getting + into the rigging to go up and furl it one of the chain-plates of + the maintopmast backstays carried away. The maintopmast + immediately snapped and went over the side, dragging the + foretopmast with it. Fortunately we had not as yet got aloft, or + we would have come to a precipitate end. The storm was + increasing, and the confusion of ropes, chains, sails, spars, + &c, all lurching against the side, caused the captain and his + crew much concern, lest the vessel should be so injured as to + endanger her safety. The men worked like Trojans to minimise + danger, and to save as much gear as possible to rig jury masts + with. The accident happened at 6 a.m., and at 8 p.m. the wreck + had been cleared away and all the necessary gear saved. Over and + over again during that toilsome day men risked their lives to + save a few pounds' worth of gear; indeed, it was a day of brave + deeds. On the following days it blew a hard northerly gale so + that the vessel had to be hove-to. After that it gradually fined + down, and the task of rigging jury topmasts began. It took four + days to accomplish all that was necessary; and, although the men + were fagged, they were also proud of their work. Any adverse + criticism would have been visited with rigorous penalties. They + were not boastful about it, though they quite believed a smart + job had been carried out; and perhaps they took some credit to + themselves for saving the vessel from total destruction. I have + reason to know that neither the owner nor his underwriters + estimated their services as being worthy of any recognition + whatever. It was a custom in those days to guard strictly against + the sin of generosity, even to recompense brave deeds done or + valuable services rendered!</p> + + <p>A fine clipper barque in those old days, one that was + originally built for the tea trade, and had made many successful + passages with that cargo from China to London, acquired an + enviable reputation for her sailing qualities, but, like many + others, she was driven out of the trade by the introduction of + steam and more modern methods of transit. She, however, still + continued to make for her owners large profits in the West Indian + and American trades. In 1873 freights were very good out and home + from the higher Baltic ports, and the owner decided to make a + short voyage in that direction before resuming the West Indian + employment. She had made a rapid passage from the Tyne, and was + sailing along the island of Gotland with a strong northerly wind. + The season was far advanced, and the captain was carrying a press + of canvas which made her plunge along at the rate of at least + twelve knots an hour. The captain, who had been on deck nearly + the whole passage, set the course, and gave strict instructions + to the second mate, whom he left in charge, to keep a sharp + look-out while he was below having a wash.</p> + + <p>It was 8 p.m.; the moon was just coming from below a hazy + horizon, which made it difficult to see anything under sail + except at a short distance. The look-out suddenly reported a + vessel under sail right ahead without lights. The helm of the + barque was starboarded; but it was too late. The vessel, which + proved to be a brig, struck and raked along the starboard side, + carrying away nearly the whole of the fore, main, and mizzen + rigging, irreparably damaging some important sails. As soon as it + was discovered that the colliding vessel had suffered no material + damage, the captain gave orders for the vessel to be put on her + course, and to unbend the torn sails and bend a fresh set before + starting to secure the lee rigging, so that as little time as + possible might be lost. While this was being done a minute survey + was being made by the captain and the carpenter to ascertain the + extent of the damage to rigging, chain-plates, and hull. It was + found that the latter was uninjured; but the shrouds and + chain-plates were badly damaged, especially the latter, and the + only way of securing the rigging thoroughly was to heave-to for a + while and pass two bights of hawser chain under the bottom so + that some of the starboard fore and main rigging could be set up + to it. This was soon done, and the barque put on her course once + more. The men worked with commendable skill and energy during the + whole night, and when the livid grey of the dawn came they had + all but finished their arduous task. Fortunately the wind kept + steady on the port beam, so that the damage to the starboard + rigging could be secured without interrupting the progress of the + voyage, it being on the leeside. At 9 a.m. the watches were again + resumed, and those whose duty it was to be on deck proceeded to + carry out the finishing touches. These were satisfactorily + completed, and by the time the evening shadows had fallen the + temporary repairs were closely scrutinised and pronounced so + strong that no gale could destroy them. The moaning of the hoarse + wind through the rigging, and the sinister appearance of the + lowering clouds as they hurried away to leeward, indicated that + mischief was in the air, and that there was every probability of + the soundness of the renovated rigging being promptly tested. The + wind and sea were making, with swift roaring anger, but not a + stitch of canvas was taken in, every spar and rope-yarn aboard + was feeling the strain as the clipper was crashed into the + surging waves which flowed between the shores of an iron-bound + gulf. The vessel was swept with exciting rapidity towards her + destination, but before morning dawned the gale had become so + fierce sail was ordered to be shortened. Soon the course had to + be altered, and the full weight of the tempest was thrown on the + damaged parts. The crew had the encouraging satisfaction of + seeing that their hastily accomplished work refused to yield to + the vast strain it was suddenly called upon to bear. They arrived + at their discharging port without further mishap, and, with the + exception of fitting new chain-plates to connect the shrouds to, + everything else was secured by the crew, and she was brought home + without incurring any further cost to her owners and + underwriters. A very profitable voyage was made, and the captain + had the distinction of receiving a condescending benediction from + the manager on his arrival home. He was told with an air of + unequalled majesty that in many ways the mishap was disastrous, + "but," said the manager, "I am impelled to confess that it is + atoned for by the singular display of merit which has been shown + in not only extricating your vessel from a perilous position, but + for your expedition and economy in carrying out the repairs!" The + captain responded to this eloquent tribute by assuring his + employer that he was deeply grateful for this further token of + his confidence, and very shortly after he was materially rewarded + from quite an unexpected source by being offered the command of a + fine steamer, which he only accepted after considerable pressure + had been brought to bear on him by the owners of the steamer and + his own friends.</p> + + <div class="figcenter" style="width: 425px;"> + <a name="fp154" id="fp154"></a> <img src="images/fp154.jpg" + width="425" height="341" alt="A BERWICKSHIRE HAVEN" title= + "A BERWICKSHIRE HAVEN" /> <b>A BERWICKSHIRE HAVEN</b> + </div> + + <p>Long before steamers had captured the coasting trade of the + northern coal ports, a brig which carried coal from the Tyne, + Blyth, or Amble to Calais, was caught by a terrific gale from the + east when returning north in ballast. She managed to scrape round + all the points until Coquet Island was reached, when it became + apparent from the shore that it would be a miracle if she + weathered the rocks which surround that picturesque islet. Her + movements had been watched from the time she passed Newbiggin + Point, and grave fears for her safety spread along the coast. The + Coquet was closely shaved, but she was driven ashore between + Alnmouth and Warkworth Harbour. The position was excitingly + critical. It was low tide, and the storm raged with malignant + force, so that when the flood made there seemed little hope of + saving the crew. As to the vessel herself, it was only a question + of time until she would be shattered into fragments.</p> + + <p>A large crowd of people had congregated as near to the wreck + as it was prudent, for the waves swept far up the beach. The crew + sought refuge in the forerigging, as heavy seas were sweeping + right over the hull, and as no succour came to them one brave + fellow made a small line fast to his waist, and sprang into the + cauldron of boiling breakers. He reached the shore almost + lifeless, and his gallant act was the means of saving several of + the crew, who dared to risk being hauled through the surf. Alas! + as often happens, some of them still clung to the rigging that + held the oscillating mast. It was assumed that they must be + benumbed, or that they dreaded being dashed to death in the + attempt to attach themselves to the rope that had been the means + of rescuing their shipmates. The people gesticulated directions + for them to take the plunge, but it seemed as though they were + riveted to a tragic destiny.</p> + + <p>Darkness had come on, and some one in the crowd shouted at the + top of his voice, "Silence! I hear some one shouting." Instantly + there was a deathlike hush, and mingling with the hurricane music + of the storm, the sweet feminine voice which was said to be that + of the cabin-boy was heard singing—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"Jesu, lover of my soul<br /></span> <span class= + "i2">Let me to Thy bosom fly,<br /></span> <span>While the + nearer waters roll,<br /></span> <span class="i2">While the + tempest still is high.<br /></span> <span>Hide me, oh my + Saviour, hide,<br /></span> <span class="i2">Till the storm + of life be past,<br /></span> <span>Safe into the haven + guide,<br /></span> <span class="i2">Oh receive my soul at + last."<br /></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>These sentences came tossing through the troubled darkness, + and when the last strains had faded away the subdued anguish of + the people was let loose. Women became hysterical, and strong men + were smitten with grief. It was a soul-stirring experience to + them; and their impotence to save the perishing men was an + unbearable agony. A shriek from some of the crowd told that + something dreadful had happened. All eyes were directed towards + the wreck, but nothing could be seen now but a portion of the + half-submerged hull. The masts had gone by the board, and soon + the coast was strewn with wreckage; she had broken all to pieces. + When daylight broke, a search-party found the little songster's + cold, clammy body. They wiped the yellow sand from his eyes and + closed them, and in the course of the day his fellow-victims were + laid at rest beside him.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + + <p>MANNING THE SERVICE</p> + + <p>At the present time there is much writing and talking as to + how the merchant service is to be kept supplied with seamen. + Guilds, Navy Leagues, and other agencies of talk have been set at + work to solve what they term a problem. Theories that are + exasperating to read or listen to have been indiscriminately + forced upon an enduring public; and after all the balderdash and + jeremiads that have flowed copiously over the land we are pretty + much where we were. The modern shipowner and his theoretic + friends prefer to waste their energy in concocting theories to + solve an imaginary problem—the only problem being that + which exists in their own minds. There is nothing else to solve. + Once the mildew is out of the way and the doors are set wide + open, we shall soon have a full supply of recruits. During the + last few years several steamship owners have so far overcome + their prejudices as to take apprentices. Those who have worked it + properly have succeeded; while others complain of the system + being absolutely unsuccessful. My own impression is that the want + of success is not the fault of the lads, but those who have the + controlling of them.</p> + + <p>Mr. Ritchie, when he was the head of the Board of Trade, + introduced a system of barter, whereby a certain reduction of + light dues was to be made to the firms who undertook to train + boys for the merchant service and the Royal Naval Reserve. + Needless to say, the very nature of the conditions caused it to + fail. In the first place the parents of the boys looked upon the + proposal as a form of conscription; and in the second, owners + would have no truck with a partial abatement of the light dues. + They very properly claimed that the charge should be abolished + altogether. All other countries, except America and Turkey, have + made the lighting of their coast-lines an Imperial question; and + America only levies it against British shipping as a retaliatory + measure. Mr. Ritchie lost his chance of doing a national service + by neglecting to take into his confidence shipowners who were + conversant with the voluntary system of training seamen. Had he + done this, it is pretty certain they would have guided him clear + of the difficulties he got into, and his measure would have been + fashioned into a beneficent, workable scheme instead of proving a + fiasco.</p> + + <p>There are shipowners who believe that it is the duty of the + State to pay a subsidy of twenty to fifty pounds per annum for + every apprentice carried. I have always been puzzled to know from + whence they derive their belief. When pressed to state definitely + what arguments they have to give in favour of such a demand, + their mental processes seem to become confused. They are driven + to prophetic allusions to future naval war, and the usefulness of + seamen in that event. Of course no one can dispute the usefulness + of sailors at any time and under any circumstances; but if that + is the only reason for asking the Government to pay owners part + of the cost of manning their ships, then they are living in a + fool's paradise, and are much too credulous about public + philanthropy, and very unobservant and illogical too if they + imagine that national interests are entirely centred in the + industry they happen to be engaged in. It would be just as + reasonable for Armstrong's or Vickers' to request a subsidy for + training their men because their business happens to be the + manufacture of guns and the construction of warships. Or on the + same logical grounds the ordinary shipbuilder and engine-maker + would be justified in cadging subsidies for training every branch + of their trades, and thereby work their concerns at the expense + of a public who are not directly connected with them. But no one + has ever heard of these people making any such demand on national + generosity. I believe I am right in stating that there are only + very few shipowners who advocate such a parochial view. The great + bulk of them regard it with disfavour, first, because it smacks + of peddling dealing; and, secondly, even if it were right they + know that State aid means State interference, and State + interference savours too much of working commerce on strictly + algebraic lines, which only an executive with a wealthy, + indulgent nation behind it could stand. The Chamber of Shipping + last year vigorously declared against subsidies of this kind; and + the way in which the proposal was strangled leaves small hope of + it ever being successfully revived.</p> + + <p>An encouraging feature of the situation is that the Shipping + Federation has at last taken the matter up. The late Mr. George + Laws was always in favour of doing so, but unfortunately he got + scant support from his members. Since his death, and the + pronouncement the Chamber of Shipping gave in its favour at the + last annual meeting, Mr. Cuthbert Laws, who succeeded his gifted + father, has with commendable energy and marked ability undertaken + the task of reviving the old system of every vessel carrying so + many apprentices. He is penetrating every part of Great Britain + with the information that the Federated Shipowners are prepared + to give suitable respectable lads of the poor and middle class a + chance to enter the merchant service on terms of which even the + poorest boy can avail himself, without pecuniary disability; and + I wish the able young manager of the most powerful trade + combination in the world all the success he deserves in his + effort, not only to keep up the supply of seamen, but to raise + the standard of the mercantile marine.</p> + + <p>In the early years of the last century, right up to the + seventies, north-country owners placed three to four apprentices + on each vessel, and never less than three. Many of them came from + Scotland, Shetland, Norfolk, Denmark and Sweden. There were few + desertions, and they always settled down in the port that they + served their time from. If any attempt was made at engaging what + was known as a "half-marrow"<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id= + "FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class= + "fnanchor">[2]</a> there was rebellion at once; and I have known + instances where lads positively refused to sail in a vessel where + one of these had been shipped instead of an apprentice. + Impertinent intrusion was never permitted in those days. As soon + as they were out of their time the majority of the lads joined + the local union. One of the conditions of membership was that + each applicant should pass an examination in seamanship before a + committee of the finest sailors in the world. They had to know + how to put a clew into a square and fore-and-aft sail, to turn up + a shroud, to make every conceivable knot and splice, to graft a + bucket-rope, and to fit a mast cover. The examination was no + sham. I remember one poor fellow, who had served five years, was + refused membership because he had failed to comply with some of + the rules. He had to serve two years more before he was admitted. + I have often regretted that Mr. Havelock Wilson did not adopt + similar methods for his union, though perhaps it is scarcely fair + to put the responsibility of not doing so on him. The conditions + under which he formed his union were vastly different from what + they were in those days. He had to deal with a huge disorganised, + moving mass, composed of many nationalities. At the same time I + am convinced that a union conducted on the plan of the one I have + been describing is capable of doing much towards training an + efficient race of seamen, and I hope Mr. Wilson, or somebody + else, will give it a trial.</p> + + <p>Since the above was written Lord Brassey, by the invitation of + the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, has read a carefully prepared + paper, in the Guildhall, to a large audience of shipowners and + merchants, on the best means of feeding the Mercantile Marine and + the Royal Navy with seamen. Lord Brassey must have been at + infinite trouble in getting the material for his paper, and, + notwithstanding the errors of fact and of reasoning in it, I + think the shipping community, and indeed the public at large, owe + him their hearty thanks for giving so important a subject an + opportunity of being discussed. So far as his advocacy of the + establishment of training vessels for the supply of seamen to the + Royal Navy is concerned, I have nothing to say against it. The + lads in those ships are trained by naval officers, under naval + customs and discipline, and there should be some recruiting + ground of the kind for that service. But Lord Brassey advocates + it for the Mercantile Marine also. He suggests a plan of subsidy + to be paid to the owner or the apprentice, and that the lad after + serving four years, should be available for service in the Royal + Navy. But to begin with, it may be objected that men trained in + Royal Navy discipline and habits never mix well with men trained + in the other service; their customs and habits of life and work + are quite different to those of the merchant seaman. It used to + be a recognised belief that the sailor of the merchantman could + adapt himself with striking facility to the work of the Royal + Navy and its discipline, but the Navy trained man was never + successful aboard a cargo vessel. The former impression + originated, no doubt, during the good old times when it was + customary for prowling ruffians from men-of-war to drag harmless + British citizens from their homes to man H.M. Navy, and all the + world knows how quickly they adapted themselves to new + conditions, and how well they fought British battles! But what a + sickening reality to ponder over, that less than a century ago + the powerful caste in this country were permitted, in defiance of + law, to have press-gangs formed for the purpose of kidnapping + respectable seamen into a service that was made at that time a + barbarous despotism by a set of brainless whipper-snappers who + gained their rank by backstair intrigue with a shameless + aristocracy! All that kind of villainy has been wiped out; and + the men of the Royal Navy are now treated like human beings; and + they do their work not a whit less courageously and well than + they did when it was customary to lash God's creatures with + strands of whipcord loaded with lead until the blood oozed from + their skins. There is no need to press either men or boys to + enter the King's Naval Service. It has now been made sufficiently + attractive to obviate the need for that. Nor is there any + necessity for shipowners to be called upon, with or without + subsidy, to train and supply men for the Navy. They have enough + to do to look after their own manning, and this can be done + easily by the adoption of methods that will break down any + objection British parents may have to their sons becoming + indentured to steamship owners, who will find work for them to + do, and who will have them trained by a kindly discipline, paid, + fed, and lodged properly; but still, if they are to be thorough + men, there should be no pampering. Unquestionably, then, the + place for training should be aboard the vessels they are intended + to man and become officers and masters of. No need for subsidised + training vessels; and certainly no need for a national charge + being made for the benefit of shipowners, who have no right to + expect that any part of their working expenses should be paid by + the State.</p> + + <p>As an example of how sympathy is growing for the + apprenticeship system, Messrs. Watts,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id= + "FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class= + "fnanchor">[3]</a> Watts & Company, of London, have for many + years carried apprentices aboard their steamers, and the grand + old Blythman who adorns the City of London commercial life with + all that is ruggedly honest and manly, has just purchased, at + great cost, a place in Norfolk, which his generous son, + Shadforth, has agreed to furnish, and then it is to be endowed as + a training-field for sailor-boys. The veteran shipowner is well + known by his many unostentatious acts of philanthropy to have as + big a heart as ever swelled in a human breast; but, knowing him + as I do, I feel assured that his philanthropy would have taken + another form had he not been convinced he was conferring a real + national benefit by giving larger opportunities to British lads + to enter the merchant service.</p> + + <p>I give two other notable examples of success because of the + care taken in selecting the boys and the care adopted in training + them. Mr. Henry Radcliffe, senior partner of Messrs. Evan Thomas, + Radcliffe & Co., of Cardiff, has taken a personal interest in + boy apprentices for years. His experience of them has long passed + the experimental state, and his testimony is that this is the + only way the merchant navy can be adequately and efficiently + maintained.</p> + + <p>Daniel Stephens, senior partner of Messrs. Stephens, Sutton + & Stephens, which firm has carried apprentices for a number + of years, is a sailor himself, who has had the good sense never + to try and hide the fact that he was trained amid a fine race of + west-country seaman, and he is proud to be able to say that he + has been training boys for years with uniform satisfaction. He + relates with obvious pride that one of his boys, a coal-miner's + son, seven years to a day from the date of joining his firm as an + apprentice, sailed as chief officer of their newest and largest + steamer.</p> + + <div class="footnotes"> + <h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> A + "half-marrow" was a young man who was trying to become a + seaman without serving his apprenticeship.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> During the + passage of this book through the press, Mr. Watts, senior, + has passed away.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>THE END.</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Windjammers and Sea Tramps, by Walter Runciman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WINDJAMMERS AND SEA TRAMPS *** + +***** This file should be named 15155-h.htm or 15155-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/1/5/15155/ + +Produced by Steven Gibbs and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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