It remains only for the Editors to express their grateful thanks to the Messrs. Gardner, who not only permit them to publish the ‘Recollections,’ but supplied them with a copy of the MS., typed at their expense; to the Very Rev. the Dean of Waterford, who has most kindly had all the registers at Waterford searched (though vainly) in the endeavour to determine the exact date of Commander Gardner’s birth; and to the numerous friends and even strangers who have so kindly helped them in answering the various queries which have presented themselves. These are too many to name; but the Editors must, in a special degree, mention their obligations to Commander C. N. Robinson, R.N., whose very exceptional knowledge of the byways of naval literature has been most generously put at their service. That some of their queries have remained unanswered and that explanatory notes are thus sometimes wanting will serve to emphasise the importance of the assistance referred to. What, for instance, is the meaning of the phrase ‘My hat’s off’ (p. [108])? Apparently ‘Not a word!’ but why? or again, what are ‘ugly podreen faces’ (p. [214])? To a mere Englishman the epithet looks as if it might be Irish; but Irish dictionaries and three competent Irish scholars are positive that it is not. Once more, they express their warmest thanks for the help that has been so freely given them.

CONTENTS

PAGE
Introduction[vii]
    Prologue[1]
Boreas[3]
Conqueror[10]
Academy[15]
Panther[19]
Salisbury[41]
Orestes[56]
Edgar[64]
Barfleur[97]
Queen[121]
Berwick[126]
Gorgon[155]
Victory[172]
Hind[178]
Blonde[203]
Brunswick[226]
Transport Service[250]
Fairlight Signal Station[251]
    Appendix[265]
    Index[267]

NAVAL RECOLLECTIONS
IN SHREDS AND PATCHES
WITH STRANGE REFLECTIONS
ABOVE AND UNDER HATCHES.

I know nothing of grammar;

At school they never could hammer

Or beat it into my head.

The bare word made me stammer,

And turn pale as if I were dead.

And here I may as well be telling