AT SEA: ON PASSAGE 129 



deck from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon and from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. 

 were kept steadily at work in the performance of the myriad 

 services which a vessel at sea demanded so insistently. Three 

 men were always at the mast-heads as look-outs, and one man 

 at the helm. These hands were relieved every two hours. 

 The first dog-watch, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., was devoted to 

 eating the evening meal, shortening sail, recalling the look- 

 outs, and putting the vessel into condition for the night. The 

 second dog-watch, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., was the invariable 

 time for recreation and relaxation. In fine weather everyone 

 was on deck, reading, singing, spinning yarns, dancing, or what 

 not. 



During the two night-watches, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., the 

 helm was manned and a look-out posted on the knightheads. 

 The remaining members of the watch, though forced to re- 

 main on deck, were required to work only in case the weather 

 necessitated changes in the sails and yards. In stormy weather 

 this sometimes meant heavy and dangerous labor. But un- 

 der normal conditions the officer in charge of the deck was 

 not too inquisitive as to how the men were spending the time, 

 provided they remained within easy call, and kept the wheel 

 and look-out properly manned. Consequently they soon 

 learned to sleep while lying on deck. The morning watch, 

 from 4 A.M., to 8 a.m., was spent in scrubbing the decks, spread- 

 ing sail, posting the look-outs, eating breakfast, and making 

 preparations for the day. 



Though "watch and watch" was the prevailing system on 

 passage, there were occasions when the crew was required to 

 work all day and to stand regular watches at night in addition. 

 This occurred when a "hard" master instituted such a regime 

 either to break the spirits of his men or to secure the greatest 

 possible amount of work from themj and it might be required 

 by emergency conditions such as a long period of severe 

 weather or the necessity of making vital preparations or re- 

 pairs. Needless to say, such an arrangement, if prolonged, 

 sapped the energy of even the strongest menj for it permitted 

 an average of only five hours per night for sleep. 



But no matter what the conditions, there was no escaping a 

 prompt response when the watch was called. Partly for the 



