1938-09-29 — Page 10

10

WHEN

THE HONGKONG

THE NAVY HAD

ΤΟ COAL SHIP'

Competitive Strategy of Rival Crews which Lightened a Laborious Day

By Capt. LIONEL DAWSON (R.N. Retd.)

Coal-firing in the ships of the stoker, who suggested that trimming tributed, extra leave

promised and British Navy has been generally conl was preferable to shovelling it various other illegalities practised in barrows. Since which eventually led to counter- superseded by oil-firing-a develop-

or pushing it ment which is regarded as untoise and found it was necessary to lie full legislation on the part of authority. in some responsible length on my stomach to accomplish Despite the dirt and discomfort,

that trimming job I recollect agree the enthusiasm was really extraor

unnecessary quarters.

This article, in reminiscent vel, ing at fast with my mentor that ser- dinary, and woe belide anyone in a describes what the process of "coal- vice in the Royal Irish Constabulary smart ship who did not pull his ing ship" meant in the routine of Ficet in times past. To-day conal Was to be preferred to that in which pound in coaling.

C

0

Navy

"the

band,

that

their

TELEGRAPH, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1998,

The Adventures Of

ROBIN HOOD

THE STORY THUS FAR: King, Richard, leaving for the Crusades in 1191, put England under a Regency, mistrusting his Saxon- hating brother, Prince John. At a jousting match before the latter, Sir Robin of Locksley, a swashbuckling Saxon, worsts Sir Guy of Gisbourne, a Norman, thus winning the dislike of Lady Marian Fitzwalter, Sir Guy's sweetheart. King Richard is cap tured abroad, and held for ransom and Prince John schemes to take over

"the throne, for that reason taxing and torturing the Saron serfs, Robin, by many valorous deeds, flouts Prince John, Anally denouncing him as a traitor. Prince John, pats a price on Robin's head and in retaliation Robin sends word to all op- pressed Saxons to meet at the Gallows Oak in Sherwood Forest Normana. Robin to band together as Merry Men to fight the addresses the vast company of Merry Men and they vow fealty to him, Robin. adds a new member to his band in the fat and Aghting Friar Tuck. When they hear that Sir Cup, the Lady

Marian, the High Sheriff of Nottingham, and a guard of men-at- arma, are coming through the forest with the vast sum of money turongfully collected from the Sazons-Robin and his men plan merrily to woplay them.

CHAPTER VI

"Afraid of that gallows-faces, ingratiating, if mocking smile.

we considered we had too rashly em-

There is the tale of the band and tons have changed and with modern barked.

the ingenious Commander. It was Improvements both in coating and in

It was a first experience of what the practice for the band to play Aring coal-burning ships the discom- fort and heavy labour of the old days was always to me, as I am sure it was during the day-moving round the has been largely eliminated. to everyone else who had the honesty ship to various strategic positions

"Don't bother to mark the way, "fladn't we better put out f-flank- workers. the

"It' EAR lower deck. 1o say so, a remarkably unpleasant from which to encourage

ing parties, Sir Guy? You know this Sir Guy," said Robin Hood, This Commander decided that it

is Sherwood Forest we're coming take keener men than you've got to ands Coal Ship, operation.

employ the extra

Into-and R-robin H-hood and his find our camp again!" OMeers call 3 Ga." Such was the

Not long ago,

with music. when walking in would be better to

20

"You'll hang for this? All of you!" executive command at the dawning London. I was cannoned into by Ts and dispense

Robin turned to Marian with an of burned coal for fuel in its coul from a horsedrawn coalcart to protes through the bandmaster. M-merry M-men have the run of I-

cooling day when the Royal burly coolman carrying a sack of

Ongers, attuned

turances.

"Hanging would be a small price deposit it down the bunker of to music, might suffer by

4 heaving, or borrow pushing. "There This had been preceded, when the house-one of those domestic bunkers

be reason in your protest," re- "Afraid? Certainly not! But to pay for the company of such a hands turned out, by: "Hands clean whose mouths yawn perilously in the

charming lady!... You are charm- the resourceful officer. "It it's h-here that ite's b-boldest. into conting riga contradiction in footpath. My attention was then at

"Don't worry, Sheriff we've ing. are you not?"

"What can a Saxon hedge-robber terms,

since coaling rig was composed tracted to the land still in the cart would, no doubt, be unwise to risk

no stomach to know." replied Marlan with cool con- of the oldest and generally the dirtiest, load, in my opinion, too much for your musical future; so the band more than enough to take care of

will revert to music, which will be him! Outlaws have

or ladies?" clothes available. The RN. Kallor, que horse (as seems to be regretta distributed fairly in positions where show themselves against armed tempt. "of churm

"Mc

Tek-tick!" often however, to this day "cleans into" bly

a hedge-robber? the саяс nowadays).

troops!"

to her. "Tell me any rig-from the "Number Ones" of Memory then went back to the day all can hear."

"Are you sure?" asked Marion, He leaned closer eeremony to football klt,

when, as a Sub-Licut, and 1st Lieut. PRACTICE WHICH

uncusily, "I seem to remember-" more about myself! You may have "Olt, he jumps out of ambush at been misinformed she replied lolly, of a River class destroyer, I first per-

BORE FRUIT formed the evolution of cooling ship

amall parties. But a

"Perhaps

in her.

SHIP'S REPUTATIONS

MADE OR LOST

a

Sherif here

Sir Guy finished the sentence with "but I don't find it interesting enough

On an average these two commands

A delighted ship's company ne- were followed by 10 to 12 hours of We were lying alongside the jetty cordingly greeted with enthusiasm, a shrug which was meant to suggest to bother about..

in that the size of this retinue put it Sounds of uproarious mirth came 8th and drudgery in which, if it was of the little port of Grantan, near the

isolated performances of

It was, from the baggage wagons from which tru, beyond all danger of attack. a keen ship, every officer and man Edinburgh, and were coaling from dividual members of the orchestra, be took a part. Even the chaplain railway trucks which had to be man- stationed all over the ship and col-Indeed an impressive one-divided the outlaws were pulling Sir Guy's into three parts an advance guard rich costumes and tossing them to would be seen disguised

ccal as a handled along the jetty. It was a ler, with orders not to relax their

thelr ragged comrades who donned beaver and wleiding

or slow process, until thanks to some a shovel or

musical efforts throughout the day. of forty men-al-arms and archers, pushing a barrow. Though shore intuitive sympathy with those who The big drum and the cymbals nounted and on foot; rear guard of the finery and paraded in it. The DS solo ten larger men-at-arms, protecting High Sherl's armour was half off; labour was provided at such places deal in horses-I managed to per- sounded particularly well

four rude, horse-drawn wagons con- Sir Guy stood in cold and murderous as Gibraltar or Malta, there was yet sunde a railway carter (who should items.

chests and bales, followed by rage as Little John forced him to work for all.

presumably have been employed on It need hardly be said that a little I suppose that neither officer nor other duty) to lend me his horse 10 of this went a long way with the

musicians, who shortly petitioned to of Sir Guy and Lady Marion, her to and in hand whanged the High ants. The middle section consisted about like a troll distributing rags man enn be said actually to regret haul my trucks.

the knights. Friar Tuck, broad- the passing of coal. Certainly to the

nurse, Bess-and the nervously im-

was

be allowed to take their share in

a routine common-

MENAry wagons, cooks and ser- uke off his apparel. Much danced

cooks

portant High Sheriff of Nottingham. Sheriff with his sword to hurry his The advance was quite out of sight disrobing.

of the middle portion and that was Long rough tables had been set in why the Sherin riding forward, rode u row the length of the green glade. back in a state of high excitement Two whole steers and several piga to give Sir that it had the alarming report were being turned on spits over fiery

pits. Outlaws in stolen finery apparently vanished from ludicrous as the inlaws in rags in the face of the earth.

"Where are they then?" shouted were beginning to gather about the some hungrily snatching morsels of

of food In the firelight, somewhat re- "Sometimes!" responded, a ringing volce from the shelter of the leaves, moved from the height of the activi- stood Robin Hood and Mald "and when they do it's a devil of n ties. business catching up with them Marinn. She was an unwilllog pri-

stoker, whose normal occupation it There was only 'one' horse avall- manual labour.

to shovel this fuel into the able, and with its help we were able With the coming of war "coat ship" furnaces, its supersession by oil can to "wipe the eyes" of my fellow first became, at least during the first few have brought no regrets. Nowadays lieutenants, who laboured, horseless, months, almost an "oil ship" day hardly causes a in other ports of the harbour, and to place and the excitement died. A break in routine, and certainly no cara praise from my gratified com- week at sea, 24 hours in harbour and excitement unless, perchance, a pipe job some time before them.

manding

officer by

full stowage of coal to be embarked completing the a bursts

before any

could be rest could obtained, was plenty of excitement, It was a foretaste of many subse- knocked all the glamour out of the however, with coal. Coaling abip quent experiences of sharp practice process. Then it was that the prac-

ship. Stringent rules tice of the previous years bore fruit Sir was regarded, in the last decade be in cooling fore the war, as perhaps the most against cheating had to be laid down in the automatic speed with which the reward important of all competitive evolu in a Fleet which prided itself on em- the fuel came in. But

was in the rest to be obtained by a tlons, and ships made or lost their barking coal at top speed. reputations thereby.

fast coaling rather than in the dis- comfiture of a neighbour. MEMORIES OF

There

In the stokeholds, on a full speed GETTING A START

trial, most of success or failure de- OVERNIGHT

pended upon the feeding of the

for

furnaces with coal by manual labour No other Navy made such a fetish

THE WAR YEARS and the stokers were reinforced by of "wal ship" as we did, and I well

Qucer colliers with decrepit volunteers, both officers and men, remember the scorn of the blue-

Jackets at the length of time it took winches and dubious gear began to from the upper deck.

Oil has no such latent possibilities a Russian squadron visiting Portland appear as the strain upon shipping Here the pre-war experience to get in its coal: Certainly It communal enthusiasm, nor can

ran grew. the turning of a valve rival in im- into days, but I do not imagine that of divisional lieutenants and engineer pressiveness

ess of technique the efforts it was an "all-hands" job for officers officers helped, by strict surveillance, of the Individual stoker on the end and men In the old Imperial Navy to take some of the strain off the of a shovel.

thought I presume that, on principle, hard-worked executive officer, who Му carliest personal experience of it would be so now under the Soviets, might also have stores or ammunition

to embark simultaneously. conling ship goes back to the begin- Executive officers would go to ex- ning of the century when I found traordinary lengths to "get to wind- all major operations in a ship. Whips Coaling had its casualties, as have myself, at the age of 16, and with the ward" of their opposite numbers on would part, winches give out at eri- rank of sea-going-nuval-cadet (which general "coal ship days, Colliers tical moments, and bad weather add no longer exists) engaged with an would be brought alongside overnight to the difficulties of war-time coal- Irish stoker in trimming coal in a and all the bags filled in the holds Ing: when no delays could be ac- cross-bunker of H.M.S. Majestic, after darks by volunteers (who were-cepted if they were humanly avoida then the flagship of the Channel never

lacking)

that. Fleet.

when ble, and colliers surged and rolled the

signal

to start Was that

number

of tons was in all states of the sca. ready packed. "Trial hoists," when most of this; but another inducement Oil avolds were allowed before the I fancy that I bad got into the tion began,

opern- to team-work and esprit de corps is would run to fantastic gone, ousted by modern develop- bunker with the connivance of that numbers of bags: beer would be dis- ments.

WHEN A HORSE

MADE THE RUNNING

Guy furiously. "Do men dis- tables

appear in air?"

soner. Watching the peasants, Robin smiled, forgetful of her for the mo-

to

ap-

Who's that?" gasped the Sheriff. "The

guard! Quick!" bawled Sir ment. Guy-but as the ten-at-arms started them," he said softly, "this is their horses to respond to his call, a ↑

In heaven. Silks for rags swarm of Robin's men drop from kindness instead of whips.... of hunger! them from their mounts and quickly Why they're actually happy!" trees and out of bushes, knocking unlimited food Instead subduing them with staffs and threat-

"Are they they "Aren't you ening

the men-a-

even arrows, before

little pleased arms had a chance to get started to to see themt enjoying themselves?" fight back.

*think it's revolting!" The horses

of Marian, Sir Guy,

Marion consented reluctantly and the High Sheriff of Not take a place by Robin when the great tingham reared and plunged in con meat was under way, "My friends," fusion. They gradually got them he said, toward the end of it, in an under control however and Bess easy, bantering tone, "I had supposed moved close to Marian as if to pro with you, that Sir Guy was a scurvy tect her. Robin stood at the edge of fellow. Yet he provides

thir tort the shrubbery watching her with sar supper." As he spoke a train donie amusement.

of men

carrying heavy chests to Sherwood, lovely pronched and set them on the table

before sald Robin, bowing low. Then end of his beneficence? Ah, no! For "Well, Sir Guy haven't you in this train to-day he's brought us a greeting for me?" Sir Guy glared

Jewels, but did not speak. "Odd, isn't it, half a score of boxes

lady, that your brave friend who's silks, and about 30,000 golden marce, so often said he'd give me a warm wrested from the Northern shires!" welcome when we next mel, shouldn't Sir Guy, Juraping to his feet. Little

wouln't dare

be gan

John pulled him down with disres Sir Guy, white with rage, wheeled pectful speed. "You might think his horse.

that our noble host intended this trea- "Are you going, Sir Guy," cried sure for the coffers of Prince John Marian angrily, "without even... instead of to ransom the King ..

"Fighting?" Robin broke in grim- and you'd be right! But a charge of ly, "I'm afraid he has no choice!" heart overcame him in the forest between Marian and Robin, "Whether sound

Suddenly Bess rode belligerently and here they are, safe and

or no Sir Guy 'as no choice—I 'ave—

impudent rascall

made alongside the ships of the Grand Fleet (We come

No Real Friends Among

NEVER in my lifetime has the

simple countrymun been so

strongly championed as he is in book

and journal to-day.

I have just put down a boolt fin-

ally and for ever because I encoun- tered the observation;

-SAYS-

PAT MURPHY

Adults

causes friendship in a man and loy alty in an animal. That may be true, but if you call on an animal

עות

even

15

him. "But is this meal the

for help you will get far greater and you to art my . And you're Marian looked at him, saying con-

more unselfish help than you would Exclude times of war and do not ket from a man,

contuse acts of bravery with deeds A Dog Will Die for You of friendship, and try to think of a

"I only found my felends among truly unselfish, disinterested gesture

"and then follows a description of friendship.",

It is

be

"Tell me, men

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to Canada, UNITED STATES and EUROPE

via Shanghai, Hobe & Yokohama

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...................8,00 x-x., Fri, Sept. 38.

GO VIA CANADA

and see for Yourself the GLORIOUS SCENERY of the CANADIAN ROCKIES as shown in "SILENT BARRIERS”

Union

Building

NOW PLAYING at KING'S THEATRE,

Canadian Pacific

Tolephone

20752

BARBER-WILHELMSEN LINE

Monthly Service to

BOSTON AND NEW YORK

via LOS ANGELES & PANAMA CANAL PORTS

also taking cargo on through Bill of Lading for West Indies ports, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Rio Grande do Sol Buenos Aires, South America.

NEXT SAILING:—

M.S. "TAL PING"

23rd October

DODWELL & CO., LTD.

Agents.

Hongkong Bank Bldg.

Telephone 28021.

OUR BRITISH CROSSWORDS

ACROSS

One who prefers to make strik- ather ing engagements for people (10).

8 This row flies (4).

The

outlaws cheered mightily, not goin'

my 'oney- temptuously, "You

talk of suckle)"

loyalty!" "Yes, why not?" "I suppose "Be still, Bess!" said Marian. you and your breed of cut-throats," Robin, grinning, motioned to Much he said sorcastically, "Intend to send to remove Beas, and he grabbed her this treasure to Richard. You horse's head and led it off, not with wouldn't dream of keeping it your- dame. Little John. out sheepfalt glances at the buxom selven

John, Will

Scarlet and

10 Greek letter intelligible to geo- Allan-a-Dole seized Sir Guy, his squire, and the quinking with this treasure? Divide it among 11 Eden's tips p warmth 10).

the bridles of He raised his hand for silence, what do we do

graphers (5). Byli Sherif, while the other

In a voice of the men-at-arms into the thunder the outlawa replied, "Keep hustled

12 Part of Spain (8). woods and took charge of the car it for Richard

It belongs to 13 A vans and the servants. Robin placed

Send it for his ran-. and all started moving into the darker "Convinced?" asked Robin, with a deep of the forest. Sir Guy kept twinkle

In his eye. "I, may have looking from side to side as though been

hasly..

Bald Marinn, noting the way and Will, seeing it, "but pudged Robin,

(Continued to-morrow)

ourselves? Or

GOOD horse will go till It of horny-handed, simple tolk. I

drops for you; a dog will die It is not friendship that makes a for you, protecting you, or assisting have met that remark so frequently man jump into the water to save a you. Such self-sacrifice

would in recent years that I am weary and person in dificulties, it in another impossible in a man in ordinary intolerant I don't belleve

altogether. the sincerity at prople who declare With children and animals that they can find real friendship different. When they yield you their If a man has wife and family or only among the simple folk.

friendship they do so without any other dependents he could not hfford there is as much friendliness in one so much more acute and sensitive it to a friend. It might be admir- able of him, but it would be account- .section of the community as another, and intense.

but that friendship, real, friendship. I had a letter from a little girl lust ed wrong. It would be said that he does not exist in flid, adult world at term which it would be unthinkable had no right to de such a thing. all. I do not believe it could exist for an adult to write. I suggested

Children and animals huve not world any inore than In that I should call at her school dur- those considerations to humper the In.to-day's the days when we lived in caves. ing the mid-term holiday and spend rich gift of their friendship. They Friendliness, kindness you will find a day with her. The answer re- con give, with no thought that is not in varying degrees all over the world, ceived was this:

of the moment. Your need is their among rich and among poor, but "I would love you to come, but all need, your Joy is their joy, no envy trav, unssifish friendship you will day I should be thinking of the time or Jealousy inges it in its finest not find anywhere except among when I should have to say good-bye manifestations. children and animals.

My experience has taught me that thought of seit. Their feelings are to take so much from them and give himself at the head of Marion's hie King

May Lend You £500 -

and that would be terrible."

Bom

44

“TELEGRAPH ”

WAR MAP

rise from ignorance to culture and back again; there may have been, same period in those constant re- petitions when friendship was possi I should have hated saying "good part of the equipment of

Envy, jentousy, and selfishness are ble, but in the ordinary life of io. grown day, neither the simple folk nor the bye" too, but with nothing like the human beings. Without those char-cultured folk can live normal lives same intensity. My calloused adult beterisiles I doubt if there would be and hope for friendship such as chil- A specially prepared HAVE travelled more widely feelings could not rise to so tender a much material success in the world.dren and animals can supply.

than most people, but I have

height.

and any other adult would Listen to someone sperking elon- never met a man or woman who be prepared to stoop to all sorts of der about the friend

map of the Northern of achlid, The man whom Christ urged to would make any real sacrifice for a tricks or subtertugen to pretend Adults, if the scandal is spoken con- give all he had to the poor and fol-War Zone in China, friend. For a sweetheart, a lover, there was no sting in the parting, vincingly, enough; will fisten and low Him, "turned away, and men husband, certainly, but for a friend, A child will give everything it has judge for themselves. Children will have been turning away from such 152 by 11 inches,

friendship's sake, an adult will hate the person who speaks the sean-sacrifices throughout our history," A person you may call friend give so much and no more. You dal unreasortingly. The fact that he would lend you £5 or £500 accord may say these feelings on the part speaks against their friends brands dren and animal we

To possess the friendship of chil-printed on art paper.

grown folk” ing to hik moans and his affection for of a child are immature or spring him as a bad fellow at once?

would have, like them, to forgo our

20 cents Price from one of a dozen motives. Per-

Laye of possession, our acquisitive. nësaj our ambitions. That cannot be,

Pontag

you.

for

You may find shelter in a friend's haps, but the feelings are there. Love of Possession home or great help and sympathy if With animals the degree of loyalty -you are ill, but can you think of a and self-sacrifice is still greater than. Irland who will give up what in his with children. Again you may say for your welfare?

it is not the same emotion. which

THERE, may have been real so we must content ourselves with jana Safriendship in the strangel friendships of much lesser order, history, of mankind: In its uncessine", but at least let us be honest about it

mild degree of

(9).

A pleasant spot as after nothing is following (5)..

15 Fit for play according to the cockney, but has no rapid ap- plication (7)

(7).

of our here in 17 There's plenty Africa (7).

+

19 An enemy to activity (7), 21 Moral effect of upsetting ale

chit (7).

22 Anyone could get this from an

organ (5).

24 Do the Lappe use the first half

to guide these? (0).

27 A bow, possibly (9)."

28 Burglars are, lucky if they can -Just Jift this and then it the

swing (5).

29 A liitle valloy like the first half

of 12 across (4), 30 Has

a very (10).

inert composition

DOWN

I Style that upset an ancient land

2 It is an adjective, but of ac

Live volce (0)

3 Curtailed paradise exerts a pull

4. Any old thing! (7).

5 Make clear what was once

cient (7),

7 Does this demand "push" from

reporters? (5).

8 Not overwhelming, apparently

(10).

D Reprove (8),

14 Mendelssohn wrote one (two

-words-6.4).

16 He shows a natural interest in the study of his subject (8).

18 Some of its members indulge'

in blows, and others can't keep away from scrapesTM (9),

20. Set in order (7).

21 This could give, one a charm- ing glance, so many thought (two words=4, 3},

23 No epithet for a fine figure (8). 125 Indian town (5).

120 Would a farmer use this vehicle! to cart Itself beheaded? (4) YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION

DOWN

E

MILLE BO PILLAR

NT PETRE

"KULI DI I

A LP INIUNENDING

FROMAGE BUP POBT

B

LRO HOLE DE O

B BOGGOLI

ALDERO

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