ORIGIN OF SOME NAVAL TERMS
INTERESTING ADDRESS TO ROTARIANS BY CAPT. R. L. BURNETT, R.N.
MOURNING FOR NELSON STILL WORN TO-DAY
Captain 2. L. Burnett was the speaker at yesterday's Rotary -Club-luncheon and his subject was "The Origin of Soma Nayal Terms." The speaker delighted his audience with some interest- ing explanations of not only naval terms but everyday expressions which owe their origin to the sailing ships."
Mr..P. S. Cassidy presided over the meeting, deputising for the Hon. Dr."S. W. Tso. The lift service in Gloucester Building broke down just at the luncheon hour and Rotarians in order to attend their weekly lunch meeting had to climb eight storeys.
It was announced that a telegram had been sent to Mr. G. B. Shaw inviting him to speak at the Rotary Club, but the Chair- man informed the Club that aroply had been received from Mr. Shaw, declining the invitation.
EARLY HISTORY OF ROYAL NAVY:
Capt. Burnett said:-The Royal Navy, as opposed to the Merchant Navy, was, of course, in the old days the King's particular ships. From the earliest days we find the islanders of Britain fishing, trading and fighting their private scrapa in crafts of various descriptions, from the coracles of the Ancient Britons which were a wicker work baskets overlaid with skins of animals, This craft existed and has survived to this day, certain "districts in the West Coast of Ireland,
respect to the eminent historian, proter my version of the origin of the title.
The Cinque Ports,
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1933.
The baggy trousers worn to-day
does not come from skirts which SCOUTING IN
were worn by the early sailors. They are, in fact, the best suited apparel in which a sailor can kacel down and do his work. The " Blue Joan" collar, introduced in 1847 was definitely a relic of the ald days, when pigtails, which were greased and wixed were won, by the sailors Those were very much prized by tho' sailors but it was found that they made a mark on the clothing and so the "blue-jean collar was introduced. These were retained as a collar when the stand- ard uniform took shape. "The three white stripes round the collar are in memory of the three victories of Nelson.
The black silk handkerchief round the neck is also relic of the old days. If you were rich enough you wore a loose ruffle and if you were not you wore a handkerchief round the neck. The black colour is gen- erally believed to be mourning for Lord Nelson,
The lanyard was merely for hang- ing the knife on the end and the knife itself had no point,
Rum.
The expression tot of rum" has an interesting origin. In the early days a gallon of beer or wine was allowed to every sailor. Haw- kins and Frobisher have said that they could cruise as long as the beer lasted. It was found however that beer could not keep in barrels at se nfd so early in the 18th ven- Itury it was aubstituted for a pint of rum. And this even was found to be too much and was later re- duced to half a pint with Wated added.
.
-Piping the Side" is the salute which the officer in command of any of H.M. ships is entitled to on his coming on board his ship. The "Blue Peter" was from the French
HONG KONG
HE'S APPEAL FOR MORE LEADERS
HON. DR. KOTEWALL REVIEWS A
SATISFACTORY YEAR
"It is gratifying that the Boy Scouts' movement in the Colony has shown another year of steady progress, and that the material is considered to be good by the Commissioner who, I considered, sets a high standard of efficiency," said the Hon. Dr. R. H. Kote- wall, the President, at the annual meeting of the Hong Kong Boy Scouts Association which was held at Sandilands' Hut yesterday.
His Excellency the-Governor, Sir William Peel, Chief Soonit, was in the chair, and in a short review of the activities of the Association, congratulated if on its success, and appealed for more leaders for the troops.
EXCELLENT INCREASE IN NUMBERS
Southorn, the Commissioner of Girl Guides, for the use of Bandilands' Hut for the meeting.
He mentioned that Mr. E. Cock) had promised to take over the office of President on the expiry of Dr. Kotewall's tenure of office at the end of the present year.
He also referred with regret the loss of the services of Lieutenant
G. H. Christian and Messrs. C. Campkin and S. A. Sweet, all assistant commissioners.
SIR WILLIAM PEEL ·- Sir William Peel said: "Before asking the Commissioner to present his annual report. I should like to refer to one or two points. In the first place I congratulate him and the Hong Kong branch of the Boy Scouts' Association on the very excellent increase in members in the past year amounting to about 11 per cent. There has been a redut tion in the Wolf Cubs for the period ending September 30, 1932, but I am glad to see that the num
The report was seconded by Mr. As the ravages on the South const
ber has been fully, made up in the became greater, the King ordered
short period which has since elapsed.M. H. Lo and adopted. the formation of the Cinque Ports
There is still, however, some short-
Treasurer's Report. Navy from the five ports along the
age to which I had referred I think, South East Coast, Dover, Romney,
at the last time I presided over the In presenting his report, the Hastings, Hythe und Sandwich and word partir. I do not know if you annual meeting, in regard to the Hon. Trehsurer pointed to the he appointed a Warden of "the
are aware that officers of the number of suitable leadery avail-meagre figure of 380 represented cinque ports from among his barons King's Ships can drink the King's able. It must be a great handicap by subscriptions for the year. an appointment which is held to health sitting while on board ship.
to the Troops, and I appeal to mem-Having regard to the population of The first trace, however, of the this day in a practically honorary I think it was King Charles II, or
bers and non-members to come for- Hong Kong, he said, one would expect that amount would be a much King's personal Navy was the men-capacity and is paid £3,000 a year! William IVth who rose to drink ward to help in that respect.
larger one. While admitting that tion of the Buscarles or Butscarles The Warden wears the uniform the King's health on one occasion
"You will see in the report that times were not prosperous, he re- at the time of King Canute, the almost exactly like that of an ad- and hit his head on the low ceiling, Saxon King. One remembers bis miral and 1 believe has never, since and since then we have been en- the training course for officers han fused to believe that 8380 Was all antial connection when his burons the very early days been a scafaring titled to drink his health sitting. been formed which has proved to be that the Colony would give to this When the National Anthem is play-of great benefit, and I hope it will worthy cause like the Boy Scouts, told him he was such a wonderful man. „ tellow he could even order the tides. In the reign of Henry 1, shortlyed the King stands up and nobody result in these new troops that are movement, and he took this opporta being started obtaining some degree nity of again appealing most about, so he sat by the sea-shore after 1,100 these two forces were remains seated,
of success as the old ones.
strongly to the public for their and ordered the tide to go back.joined and formed the nucleus of The result was Saltash Luck, if you the Navy whereon to quote from
kind support. understand that West Country ex- the preamble of the Articles of pression. However, he had certain War," under the good providence vesela in and about the mouth of of God, the wealth, safety and the Thames which were called the strength of the Kingdom chiefly de Bussos or Buts, from which names pend. wo undoubtedly get our word "Boat" and indeed Bus has des I do not propose to trace the pro- cended to us unaltered. To this day gress of the Navy from that day to there remains on the East Coat of this for the very good reason that England those sailing fishing crafts, the wealth and strength of this These Colony require your services else called the Herring Bus." vessels were manned by the Bus where before sunset tonight, so
Butscarles" who were will pass on to give you some dis- the King's personal retainers and connected information which may or the opposite number to the "Hus may not be of interest to you. carles who were the Royal Body- guard of Jandamen.
"
carlos or
44
"
In charge of each vease! wae #batsuen, suen being the Saxon for swain or husband, so we see that even in these early days the vessels were feminine and, how ever fickle, to whom her captain must (at least temporarily) be wed, Front this "batsuen pre. sumably comes to us our present word Boatswain." He has fallen a few ranks but is still looked upon, and rightly so, as the Chief sailor man amongst the highly specialised community.
Wavy Blue.
Admiral and Captain,
The term Admiral comes to us
through Edward I, who went on the Crusaders. He was very much struck by the Saracen title of Amir-el-mer" (Chieftain of the sen). It is from this that our word Admiral is derived.
before the
The word Captain goes back very many years and was, of course, the old military title of the chief of any rank fighting force of general or major came into exist- ence. As ships grew larger the Captain required an assistant and the other military title of lieutenant into being. These two originally were not sailors but took command in action while the Master sailed the ship where the Captain directed. The rank of Master sur-
camo
The terms. "Starboard" and "Port." Starboard comes from the "You will see also, in spite of Saxons' "Steerboard " and the that, that in any event it is difficult
HON. DR. KÖTEWALL other side used to be called "Lar for officers to take part in all rallies board." The Larboard was chang-held or had been proposed during Dr. Eotewall said. ed to Port because that was the side the year. This leads to the on-
-Pormit me first of alko thank His in which a ship came into port. clusion, that the number of people
19
who are most prominent in various Excelleney, the Chief Scout for his nctivities in Hong Kong are not as kind reference to me, many as we would wish, and 1ASA therefore appeal very strongly for addressing you as President of the
in and help new blood to come i them.
"Sun of a Gun."
It is now eighty or minety years ago sisce women were cried on board ships. It was not desirable for women to fill the gangways and so they slung their hammocks be- tween the guns. When you use that expression the next time, remem. ber it does not mean what you think it means. (Laughter.)
This in the seventh time I am
Hong Kong Boy Scouts Association, WA
and I thank you for the great Too H.
honour you have done me by re- Members of the Too H. who pass electing me to the office for yet an ed through here recently explained other your. In looking back over- that one of the conditions for join my connection with the Association, ing Toe H..was that members should I recall how Sir Cecil Clementi first bread, would be a meaningless of service, and I take this opportu position, and how I finally, with "Knock the gilt off the ginger-definitely promise to do some form wrote and urged me to take up the term as no one has over noticed gilt nity of appealing to anyone pro some reluctance, yielded to the on gingerbread. Ginger bread was posing to join the Toc H, to con- wishes of himself and of the Rav the name of certain elaborate leider whether the particular form G. T. Waldegrave; for although I carving on the side of a ship lind of service may not lie in helping had myself the interests of the Boy
"(Applause.).
Scouts movement very much at it was gilded. Any vessel bumping the Boy Scouts."
Heart, I felt that the many calls slightly into the ship might knock
Continuing, His Excellency com- upon my time would not permit me the gild off the gingerbread," and
mented on the the expression simply knocking into locally in camping, and said that be Association as its President, should ancoees attained to devote as much energy to the. the ship but not sufficiently to cause had been impressed by the increase devote. During all these years I it any damage.
in this branch of scout activity have felt that. my time has been during his recent visit home. He taken up se largely with other was astonished at the enormous public interests that I have not been camping grounds in England. able to serve the Association to the extent that I could wish. About a Work at Saiwan Camp, His Ex-months ago I informed the Commis- sellency said, was progressing slow-sioner and the Executive Committee ly, but a sum of 8500 was still 'due that I did not desire to stand aguin Re-on the mortgage, and the Commis as President, but on the express sioner needed another 85,000 to on wish of Mr. Waldegrave, of the able him to bring that camp to 3 Vice-President Mr. Cock, and of degree of efficiency. He therefore the Executive Committee, I. con-, made an appeal for money or in sented to serve, if re-elected, for kind for the very useful purpose," ona,dore year on the understanding The Sea. Scouts had a successful that it would have to be the last,
"Waister" (not "waster") was a terud given to a person who was not very efficient. He worked in the "Waist" of the ship, nut "fore
"aft."
or
The Devil to Pay.
Two other points which we in- herit from our earliest known an cestor are though they have chung ed many times in the interim-the colour of our uniform and that of vived in the Royal Navy until the The Devil to pay and our ship. The crews were paid end of the last century and though, tween the Devil and the Deep Sea, eight marks a day and provided of course, the Captain was long be. were not expressions in any way with food and clothing and the fore that a sailorinan before every connected with Satanic origin. The latter was made of a rough woollen thing a Master was a navigating Devil was simply the upper out cloth dyed blue. Indeed the colour specialist officer. A Merchant Navy board straker and was very dif of the ship goes back to an earlier captain is addressed as Captain so ficult to pay A man between the data for we know that at about 55 and so but on all official papers is "devil and the deep sea was one year and Hit Excellency congratuI assure you that in desiring to be A.D., the Counts of the Saxon Master, and usually signs himself who stood in the bulwarks becauseated them. He saw in this a very relieved of this office, I do so bot shores had vessels whose sail were is such. I always feel that it is there was nothing between him and good branch of the Association and because of any batement of in of a blue grey colour to render them un ancient and honourable title of the deep sth.
provided good training for boys terent in the Association on my invisible at ses. Though the ships great distinction. “
who wished in later years to pick part, but because I feel, that new blood should be enlisted for such s you see in the Harbour are painted white, at Homa,and in the Mediter
responsible position, the holder of a seafaring life ranean and throughout the Royal
In conclusion, His Excellency which should be able to devote Navy in war time, His Majesty'a Uniforms are quite modern.
thanked Dr. Kotowall for having much more time to the Association ships are painted blue gray for the In 1748 uniformis came into the
been president for so many years than I have been able to do same reason. It seems strange that Force for officers and over a hun-
in spite of the many calls on his Wor have all heard with great we have to progress through nearly dred years later uniforms were in
time, (Applause.) He also liked pleasure the Commissioner's report 2,000 years to return to the necen trochuced for the men. It was while
to mention the names of the Hom sity of the blue grey colour for George, TV. was out riding in the fighting efficiency-through the Park surrounded by Commanders,
Uniforms.
Dead Marine in the Royal Navy is an empty bottle which has done its daty and if possible, in ready to do it again. (Laughter)
"Touch and Ga"-A ship while sailing touches a sandpit or rook and it fortunate enough to go on..
Sir William Shenton's Thanks,
2
Mr. N. Chalt who had been a for the past year! It is gratifying The Hon. Sir William. "Shenton, most excellent treasurer and who that the Boy Scouts movement in
Tudor green and gold, the yellow Lieut.-Commanders; and Midship thanked the speaker on behalf of had been able to obtain much more the Colony has shown another year | and black of the days of Trafalgar, | men who were asking him what sort the Rotary Club for the address, money than most other people of steady"progress and that the white and black of the last of uniform they should wear when Sir William said: "The address through his own activities and of material is considered to be good he spied the Duchess of Bedford which Captain Burnett has given us his Ariends. Finally, he thought by the Commissioner who, I know, of sail and the earlier days coming towards him in riding to-day has been very interesting they would all agree with him that sets high standard for elliency
The Problem 9
ofa Officers.
The number of Scouts, which has risen by 68, could have been larger but for, the officers. I can
can quite underst why in the past, men well- those respousible posi
of steam. Indeed, the latter was the habit. There is the Uniform of colour during my earlier days in the ray Naval Force." To this day that particularly to us in Hong Kong be the success of the branch was-un- Service and that now we ratum, to uniform leased on certain occe- cause this is a naval port and we doubtedly through the tact and sions. An officer's uniform has are constantly having the pleasure energy of its Commissioner, Rev. the undoubtedly more efficient altered very little. One thing of of having to welcome His Majesty's Waldegrave. (Applause.)
ships. It is particularly interesting Speaking of himself, His Excel That goes though less beautiful sch grey. interest is algulettes.
back to the Feudal times when a to us to know that when we Birney said that although blad. the Another type of vessel grew up chieftain was followed by his rousing those various common place enour of being Chief sedut he felt which was called a cog." She tainers and the acar attendants terms that they come from the also had a husband, the Cogs generally carried some ropes which Navy, I was interested to hear the that his post had been rather wine
they used to tag their master's origin of the term monkey-jacket mure. This however did not lessen-sta
ed his intense intent in the mov I had imüigined the expression came wain, and I am of opinion that horse.
from the words" powder-monkey."ment in any way. He there from that titlo wo get out present
There are several points of in Epaulettes, for instance, I thought took this opportunit rating of coxswain, though one of terest in the modern sailor's uni were shelves for the heads of tired very ongly for me) themosteniment auth ritics in form. In the olden daya sailors Indies. The reason why they call ought went back Naval history, Professor Callender wore no recognised uniform. The ship '' she "-I
Captains and Admirals used to
to the
Bailora tells us this is derived from the dress their barges crow as their rabag who took charge of the Cokke fancy directed but it does not ap skirts, boat which was one of the boats Pear that there were any definite behst
Luniform regulations... for the men buried in the English vessels about until the middle of the 19th cen- the year 1410 Personally, with due tury
Legrave;
which
has already been published), the time
Mrs.
from offe
the boys The Cor (Continued on Page 11.)
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