The cadets’ chests and hammocks are divided between the two ships—which are, of course, practically one, by virtue of the connecting bridge—the first and second terms being located on the lower deck of the Hindostan, the third and fourth on the main deck of the Britannia. At the fore end of each of these decks are large salt water baths, with fresh water shower-baths; every cadet, on turning out in the morning, has to go through the bath, and is also provided with hot water at his washing place for supplementary ablutions. Arrangements are also made by which about one hundred cadets get a hot fresh water bath each week. The hot and muddy followers of the beagles are not forgotten, a very acceptable warm bath being provided for them when they return on board.
The cadets’ chests and clothes are under supervision by the lieutenant in charge of each term, who supplies the captain with a list of deficiencies once a month, and frequently inspects the chests and clothing, to see that they are kept in good order.
Naval uniform, etc., is very strictly prescribed nowadays, down to the most minute details—such as neckties, and toe-caps on boots—in great contrast to the laxity of former days; and the cadets are bound by these to the very letter.
The studies are divided between the two ships, and are as good as they could be made on board a ship; gangways are built at the sides, so as to utilise the full breadth of the ship, without the necessity of passing through one study for access to another. The lecture-room is on board the Britannia, fitted with rising tiers of seats, and all appliances for practical demonstration in physics, etc.
The messroom is on the lower deck of the Britannia; and a bulkhead separates this and the steward’s pantries, etc., from the ship’s company’s quarters at the fore end.
The wardroom officers have an excellent messroom at the after end of the middle deck, with anteroom and billiard-room. It may sound odd to landsmen to hear of such a nicely adjusted article as a billiard-table on board ship; and, of course, in a sea-going ship or one moored in an exposed position it would be futile. In a close and quiet harbour such as Dartmouth, however, it is quite feasible, and any little alterations in the trim of the ship are compensated by means of a screw on each leg of the table and a spirit level.
The captain has his quarters on the main deck, above the officers.
The poop of the Hindostan is roofed in and fitted permanently as a chapel, the only adaptation necessary for Sunday being the covering of the skylights which light the studies below, and which otherwise interfere with the arrangement of the seats. This is a vast improvement on the old style of “rigging church” with messroom forms, etc., on the middle deck, which is all very well in a sea-going ship, where you cannot devote a portion of a deck to the purpose.
