CONTENTS

PART I
PAGE
I THE MERCHANTS' SERVICE
Our Foundation[3]
The Structure[14]
II OUR RELATIONS WITH THE NAVY
Joining Forces[21]
At Sea[26]
Our War Staff[30]
III THE LONGSHORE VIEW[44]
IV CONNECTION WITH THE STATE
Trinity House, our Alma Mater[53]
The Board of Trade[61]
V MANNING[67]

PART II
VI THE COASTAL SERVICES
The Home Trade[77]
Pilots[87]
Lightships[91]
VII 'THE PRICE O' FISH'[97]
VIII THE RATE OF EXCHANGE[103]
IX INDEPENDENT SAILINGS[110]
X BATTLEDORE AND SHUTTLECOCK[116]
XI ON SIGNALS AND WIRELESS[120]
XII TRANSPORT SERVICES[125]
Interlude[132]
'The Man-o'-War's 'er 'usband'[134]
XIII THE SALVAGE SECTION
The Tidemasters[141]
A Day on the Shoals[147]
The Dry Dock[156]
XIV ON CAMOUFLAGE—AND SHIPS' NAMES[163]
XV FLAGS AND BROTHERHOOD OF THE SEA[169]

PART III
XVI THE CONVOY SYSTEM[177]
XVII OUTWARD BOUND[184]
XVIII RENDEZVOUS[190]
XIX CONFERENCE[198]
XX THE SAILING
Fog, and the Turn of the Tide[205]
'In Execution of Previous Orders'[212]
XXI THE NORTH RIVER[217]
XXII HOMEWARDS
The Argonauts[224]
On Ocean Passage[230]
'One Light on all Faces'[236]
XXIII 'DELIVERING THE GOODS'[244]
XXIV CONCLUSION: 'M N'[252]

APPENDIX[255]
INDEX[257]