'...but fondness for the ancient order of things is still a feature of this Navy of ours. There was never a ship like our last ship: no commission like the one before this one. Gipses all: yet we would fain linger a little by the ashes of our camp-fire while the caravans move on.
The most indifferent observer of naval affairs during the last decade will admit that it has been one of immense transition. Changes, more momentous even than this business of the (...), have followed in the wake of a great wave of progress. "Up and onward" is the accepted order, but at the bottom of the Sailor-man's conservative heart certain reluctance still remains.'
I suspect that this is an accurate observation, not only of the Royal Naval Sailor-man, but of Sailor-men across the world. When reading different fora across the web, we'll all have seen matelots complaining about changes or how things were much better x number of years ago. Indeed, our first ship was probably the best one, but certainly any ship was better than the current one. I'm guessing that this principle extends much further than the world's navies
The interesting thing about this little extract is that it was written in 1916 in the preface to a book called 'Naval Occasions' written by the pseudonymous Bartimeus. The missing word above is marmalade and the Preface opens thus:
'I reckon that's proper 'New Navy,'" said the coxswain of a duty cutter to the midshipman perched on the "dickey" seat beside him in the stern.
It was 6 A.M.: the boat was returning from the early morning beef trip, and the midshipman in charge of her had seen fit to discuss with his coxswain the subject which at most hours, and particularly at this one, lay nearest to his heart--the subject of Food.
"Proper 'New Navy.'" repeated the petty officer with contempt. He referred to the recent introduction of marmalade into his scale of rations. He spoke bitterly, yet his quarrel was not with the marmalade which, in its way, was all that marmalade should have been. His regret was for the "dear dead days" before marmalade was thought of on the Lower-deck.
That was ten years ago, but fondness...etc'
I think it's safe to conclude that nothing changes and that Jack is never happy unless he's dripping
The most indifferent observer of naval affairs during the last decade will admit that it has been one of immense transition. Changes, more momentous even than this business of the (...), have followed in the wake of a great wave of progress. "Up and onward" is the accepted order, but at the bottom of the Sailor-man's conservative heart certain reluctance still remains.'
I suspect that this is an accurate observation, not only of the Royal Naval Sailor-man, but of Sailor-men across the world. When reading different fora across the web, we'll all have seen matelots complaining about changes or how things were much better x number of years ago. Indeed, our first ship was probably the best one, but certainly any ship was better than the current one. I'm guessing that this principle extends much further than the world's navies
The interesting thing about this little extract is that it was written in 1916 in the preface to a book called 'Naval Occasions' written by the pseudonymous Bartimeus. The missing word above is marmalade and the Preface opens thus:
'I reckon that's proper 'New Navy,'" said the coxswain of a duty cutter to the midshipman perched on the "dickey" seat beside him in the stern.
It was 6 A.M.: the boat was returning from the early morning beef trip, and the midshipman in charge of her had seen fit to discuss with his coxswain the subject which at most hours, and particularly at this one, lay nearest to his heart--the subject of Food.
"Proper 'New Navy.'" repeated the petty officer with contempt. He referred to the recent introduction of marmalade into his scale of rations. He spoke bitterly, yet his quarrel was not with the marmalade which, in its way, was all that marmalade should have been. His regret was for the "dear dead days" before marmalade was thought of on the Lower-deck.
That was ten years ago, but fondness...etc'
I think it's safe to conclude that nothing changes and that Jack is never happy unless he's dripping
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