An excellent plan is to have a paper drawn up and signed by both parties, witnessed, and the indentures made up after the first trial trip; but it must be understood that the time of the first voyage, if it be a long one, makes a difference, as unless lads are apprenticed off-hand the “time” is counted as nothing.
There is a pamphlet sold by mercantile stationers at one shilling containing much information, showing parts, and describing the various builds of sea-going craft. The contents of this should be completely mastered before any boy joins a ship, as it will help him to know part of his duties in addition to the nautical language, thereby showing to his officers that he is not a “know-nothing” lad. It will also help him in a variety of ways, it being in point of fact the A B C of ship life. “Do as you are told with a will” is an expression often made use of, and in fact it must be practised by all contemplating sea life. “Ship shape” is another saying suggested by the rigid discipline exercised by mariners.
On one large vessel the following maxim was painted on the walls of the midship quarters: “There is a place for everything; put everything in its place.” One of the things a captain or the mates dislike to see is a boy clambering over the rigging in port; time and circumstance will soon teach him that part of his duties, so that while he is in port a lad should busy himself in tidying up the deck, or by doing the work allotted to him.
A boy does well to be on board his ship a day or two before departing, so as to get acquainted with the various parts, also to get himself known, and somewhat used to the deck.
Apprentices are expected to have a stout chest made for the purpose of storing clothes and sundries. Some companies provide the articles necessary for the mess-room use, but it is well to inquire of berth-mates, or the steward, and arrange accordingly.
A stout tin box, capable of holding linen is necessary, and the following articles must be procured:—
White shirt, collars, and a uniform suit for shore wear. This must be made in accordance with the rules of the company, the coat and waistcoat brass-buttoned, and the cap embellished with the house flag design and gold cordage.
For ship wear no complete list can be given, the principal articles being the following: oilskin suit, one pair of sea boots, one or two pairs of half Wellingtons; flannel shirts, and as many pairs of trousers and shoes as can be procured, the limit of these being at least three pairs. The numerous small articles may be left to discretion.
Another word of warning—do not deal with slop-shop outfitters advertising “rig outs” at low figures, but rather go to respectable tailors and traders, and purchase, or have made, the articles separately.