TURKISH NAVAL EFFICIENCY
The acquisition of a brand-new Brazilian Dreadnaught by Turkey recalls the story of the Turkish admiral who had been newly appointed to the command of the Ægean squadron. He installed himself in the admiral’s quarters—which opened to the sternwalk—on board the new flagship one evening, and went to bed. Next morning he awoke and ordered full speed ahead. After a little delay the propeller began to revolve, but as it had not moved since the ship was sold to Turkey—at more than cost price by a power which had no use for it—it made a tremendous racket.
“Allah!” cried the admiral. “What in the name of the Prophet is this uproar?”
“That, Excellency, is the propeller,” replied the captain.
“Stop it, then!”
It was pointed out to the admiral that stopping the propeller resulted as a rule in the stopping of the ship likewise.
“Then take the thing off,” bellowed the naval autocrat, “and put it on the other end.”