THE SAILOR'S SHEET-ANCHOR. 51 



sharply struck, one after tlie other) ; half-past one, II I ; two o'clock, II II; half -past two, 

 II II I; three o'clock,! I II II; half-past three, II II II I; and four o'clock, II II II II, or 

 " eight bells." The process is then repeated in the next watch, and the only disturbing 

 element comes from the elements, which occasionally, when the vessel rolls or pitches greatly, 

 cause the bell to strike without leave. 



Seamen before the mast are divided into three classes 'able, ordinary, and boys. In the 

 merchant service a "green hand" of forty may be rated as a boy; a landsman must shi^ 

 for boy's wages on the first voyage. Merchant seamen rate themselves in other words, they 

 cause themselves to be entered on the ship's books according to their qualifications and 

 experience. There are few instances of abuse in this matter, and for good reason. Apart from 

 the disgrace and reduction of wages and rating which would follow, woe to the man who sets 

 himself up for an A.B. when he should enter as a boy; for the rest of the crew consider it a 

 fraud on themselves. The vessel would be short-handed of a man of the class required, and 

 their work would be proportionately increased. No mercy would be shown to such an. impostor, 

 and his life on board would be that of a dog, but anything rather than that of a "jolly 

 sea-dog."* 



There are lights in the sailor's chequered life. Seamen are, Shakespeare tells us, " but 

 men " and, if we are to believe Dibdin, grog is a decided element in their happier 

 hours. " Grog " is now a generic term ; but it was not always. One Admiral Vernon 

 who persisted in wearing a grogramf tunic so much that he was known among his 

 subordinates as "Old Grog" earned immortality of a disagreeable nature by watering 

 the rum-ration of the navy to its present standard. At 11.30 a.m., on all ships of the 

 Royal Navy nowadays, half a gill of watered rum two parts of water to one of the 

 stronger drink is served out to each of the crew, unless they have forfeited it by 

 some act of insubordination. The officers, including the petty officers, draw half a gill 

 of pure rum ; the former put it into the general mess, and many never taste it. " Six- 

 water " grog is a mild form of punishment. " Splicing the main-brace " infers extra 

 grog served out for extraordinary service. Formerly, and, indeed, as late as forty odd 

 years ago, the daily . ration was a full gill ; but, as sailors traded and bartered their drinks 

 among themselves, it would happen once in awhile that one would get too much "on 

 board." It has happened occasionally in consequence that a seaman has tumbled overboard, 

 or fallen from the yards or rigging, and has met an inglorious death. Boys are not 

 allowed grog in the Royal Navy, and there is no absolute rule among merchant- vessels. 

 In the American navy there is a coin allowance in lieu of rum, and every nation has 

 its own peculiarities in this matter. In the French navy, wine, very ordinaire, and a little 

 brandy is issued. 



There are shadows, too, in the sailor's life as a rule, he brings them on himself, 

 but by no means always. If sailors are "but men," officers rank in the same category, 

 and occasionally act like brutes. So much has been written on the subject of the naval 

 " cat " a punishment once dealt out for most trifling offences, and not abolished yet, 

 that the writer has some diffidence in approaching the subject. A volume might be 



* Vide Dana's " Seaman's Manual." f A form of heavy pile silk. 



