Some Naval Yarns

uresque features of the days of the wooden warships. For instance, no layman can help being struck by the British naval officers' toast to the King. And the other toasts

e President of the United States. But although it takes no longer at a naval mess, there is a something about it which places the civilian in t

captain of a "Dreadnought" will take pains to ask a young midshipman to dine with him, and there exists a wonderful thoughtfulness on the part of the officers for the men. British naval officers are lovers of sports, and, having believed the Germans good sports before August,

great, grey sea-fighters that we laughed at the yarn of a young middy, in charge of one of the cutters off Gallipoli when the Turks were sending shells like rain. This midshipman ordered his men to take cover. His men included bearded fellows twic

t of rings that time,"

weighing anchor. Nothing daunted, however, he commandeered a fast motor-boat, and swept out after the warship, which he caught on the go. This is the man who in later years you are apt to meet at the officers' messes-a man full of information and wonderfully versatile. He may have ploughed the seas for many years, and dwelt in

t is poured into glistening gla

rd to the president of the mess; and a se

s not present, the head of the mess says it. This is followed

ce, 'Th

sident of the mess, who is seated at the other e

proceedings. It is the privilege of these officers to drink the King's health seated. This is an old custom, which came about through the sovereign realisi

glasses after being held aloft come to the table as one, and the conversation is resumed. Garbed in their immaculate monkey-jackets

e which has been polished for many years until it is now like a black mirror. The band of this mess is one of the best in England; and it is the privilege of the bandmaster to

en word, whisk the tablecloth from the shiny mahogany. The bandmaster is invited to have a glass of port by t

Ritz Hotel in London; and especial attention is given to this mess. No matter how hard may have been the day's work or how many men have been fo

en days to hear: "Gentlemen, 'The