“Now tumble into your bunk again, for we’ve lots more to talk about. When you get home, look up the subject of ‘Etiquette’ in the pamphlet, ‘The Organization of Sea Scouts’, and there you can find out when you are supposed to stand at attention, and how to salute, with a few other necessary things.” Jack then drew himself up with an air of great authority: “Ladies and Gentlemen, I will now proceed with my instructions to this pirate crew. The subject will be divided into three parts: The first, Officers and Petty Officers; second, the Plan of the Deck; third, Etiquette and ‘A Sailors’ Cheer.’
“Number one: I have been asked whether there are officers higher in rank than myself. It might have occurred to the intelligent inquirer that—the—Captain—is—in—charge—of—the—vessel. All orders come from or through him; but, just as on board a man-of-war, the Secretary of the Navy would be higher in rank than the Captain;—so, on board a Boy Scout ship, the Chairman of the Sea Scouting Committee outranks the Captain. Under the Captain are the Mate and Sea Scout Master of equal rank, the First Mate being the Captain’s assistant in sailing the vessel, and the Sea Scout Master being in command of the crew of boys. For the rest of the organization I refer my audience to the same interesting pamphlet, ‘The Organization of Sea Scouts.’ My own responsible office, upon which I will permit no reflections, is that of the first of the four Boatswain’s Mates, or the Chief Boatswain’s Mate, as I think I have before remarked. I am in command of the first section of the first (or forward) division in particular, and of all four sections in general. I am the chief Boy Officer; but, while occupying this exalted position, I recognize the authority of my superiors and the authority of the scout law. I am immediately responsible to the Sea Scout Master and his assistants, but may also receive orders from the Boatswain, the Mate, the Captain, and the Chairman of the Committee. If I were to get a ‘swelled head’ and refuse to obey orders (which is impossible, I trust), it would be the duty of the First Mate to deal with me in the traditional manner of first mates on all self-respecting vessels.
Sketch of Deck Plan of the Boy Scout Ship “Bright Wing”
1. Quarter-deck (aft of dotted line, in direction of arrows).
2. Cabin Companionway.
3. Crew’s Day Bunk.
4. Side Ladders.
5. Berth-deck Companionway.
6. Forecastle Companionway.
7. Jib Netting.
8. Mainmast.
9. Foremast.
10. Windlass.
a, b, c, d, regular positions of the four sections at quarters.
“Number two: [I have drawn up a diagram of the ship’s deck], showing the position of the quarter-deck (Number 1); the cabin companionway (Number 2); the crew’s day bunk (Number 3); the side ladders (Number 4); the berth deck companionway (Number 5); the fo’castle companionway (Number 6); and the jib netting (Number 7); the latter being an airy place suspended between sky and sea, where sleepy scouts off duty can take a nap after dinner.
“Gentlemen will please copy this diagram, so that, if necessary, they will be able to reproduce it in their sleep and find their way about the deck in the dark. There are many other things to learn about the ship, both inside and out, but this is just to give you a start. I shall be glad to answer any questions at the proper time.”
A confused mixture of voices came out of the bunk. The boys had become much interested in Jack’s lecture, and three pairs of eyes gazed out upon him from the dim light, one pair peering from under a shock of red hair belonging to Chippie Smith; one black pair that belonged to Dick; and a blue pair that shone out of the freckled face of Tom’s cropped towhead.
“Say, who’s the chairman?”
“What’s a companionway?”