Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

EVERYDAY LIFE IN from a large tub inscribed with the loyal toast—“ The King, God bless him ! ” The grog is prepared at 12.30, under the eyes of an officer, every man being entitled to half a pint, made up of 1 part rum to 3 parts water. Men not taking it receive instead a money allowance equal to r|d. every two days. Youngsters under 20 years of age are not allowed grog, and are known in consequence as “ Nordenfelts.” From 1.15 to 3.30 p.m. there is more drill for one watch, the other going below mean- while, and at 4.30 p.m. the decks are tidied, preparatory to supper, after which the men change into their night rigs and leisure follows. At 7.30 the crew “ stand by ham- mocks,” and at 8 p.m. the first watch muster. At 8.30 p.m. there is a final clean up, and fifteen minutes later the order “Out pipes and smoking lanterns ” is given, and the Com- mander makes his nightly round. By 10 p.m. the crew of the floating fortress are sound asleep. Needless to say, there is a regular routine of “ exercises.” One day it is torpedo- net practice; another it is action or target practice, when everything is cleared away from the deck which could possibly interfere with the fire of the guns ; another it is “ Man and arm boats” for gun practice, the boats forming THE ROYAL NAVY. 381 up in line abreast and firing with their 12-pr and 3-pr. quick-firers and Maxims at a target 500 yards away ; and on another it is boat- sailing exercise, which training has a practical object, for landing parties can sail quicker than row, hence the former is always made use of when possible. Thursday is “Make and mend clothes day,” and is regarded as the bluejacket’s half- holiday. Wherever, the wide world over, a British man-of-war may be, the usage is the same, and has been regularly observed ever since King William IV. in the the “twenties” of the last century, as Duke of Clarence and Lord High Admiral, first instituted the practice. One or two details ought to be added before leaving the subject of the seaman’s day. Breakfast and supper are made off an allowance of | oz. tea, 1 oz. chocolate, 2 oz. sugar, and lb. biscuit. In harbour, however, the seaman is allowed i| lb. of bread, | lb. vegetables, and, one clay a week, i lb. of fresh beef or mutton. The messes are strictly divided. Among the officers, the captain has his meals alone, while the remainder of the commissioned ranks are divided between a wardroom and a gunroom mess. Then there is a warrant officers’ mess ; AT DUMB-BELL EXERCISE. Photo ; M. Crocxctt, Plymouth.