Cruise of the Frigate Columbia Around the World, Under The Command of Commodore George C. Read, 1838, 1839, and 1840 (English Edition) [Kindle-editie] beoordelingen het boek quotes

Cruise of the Frigate Columbia Around the World, Under The Command of Commodore George C. Read, 1838, 1839, and 1840; By William Meacham Murrell (One Of The Crew) was published in Boston in 1840. An excellent volume that describes conditions in the US Navy in 1840. (230 pages)The Publisher has copy-edited this book to improve the formatting, style and accuracy of the text to make it readable. This did not involve changing the substance of the text.Preface:.....THE author, in presuming to undertake the following work, is perfectly aware of the various difficulties he has to encounter, and by which he is surrounded. He therefore throws himself upon the kind indulgence of his readers, trusting that this, his humble attempt, may stand the test of their judgment. .....To make it comprehensive as possible, and at the same time entertaining, he will endeavor to describe the situations of the various ports touched at during the cruise, or islands visited, with the customs and manners of their inhabitants. .....It is absolutely necessary for him to bespeak the kind feeling of the more learned part of his readers, and a can did perusal of this journal, as it is the first humble production of one unused to literary pursuits or finely turned expressions. .....He therefore begs they will not examine it with too critical an eye, sincerely hoping that his sole object may succeed, that of contributing to the amusement and information of those who may peruse it; for even remote and minute events are frequently invested with an interest that is highly gratifying to that curiosity of which the human mind is naturally possessed. TO MY SHIPMATES.....According to your request I have had this journal printed. You all know what it is, a plain and succinct account of our cruise, with short descriptions of the places we have visited. I am told there may be some who will carp and cavil at my little work. Well, let them. You and I will perhaps be far away on the ocean, so that we shall not hear it; but to such persons I quote the following lines: "Cease, you jabbering, uncouth railer; List, my shipmates, all to me; Messmates, hear a brother sailor Tell of past scenes ‘twixt you and me. .....Those persons on shore, who purchase a copy of it, will be friendly to blue jackets, and of course they won t expect it to be written according to scholastic rules, but a plain sailor s story, told in a sailor’s style. Excerpts:.....A few days previous to our arrival at Muscat, the ship's company had been put on an allowance of water, and however requisite in many cases this restriction might be necessary, yet, in the present case, it was entirely needless, as the ship was within a few days' sail of her port, and at that time had upwards of thirty thousand gallons of that essential article of life on board. That quantity, upon an averaged computation, was sufficient for two months, at an allowance of five hundred gallons per day. Here we were, with a scorching sun over our heads, famishing with thirst; and yet, two days before our arrival, seven hundred gallons of water were taken to scrub and cleanse the paint-work of the ship, previous to her arrival. The half-famished mariners actually drinking the soap suds, and fighting amongst themselves to obtain the first draught. Does not humanity shudder at the idea of this unjustifiable and thoughtless act upon the part of the officers, or more properly the executive officer of the ship, in whose sole hands the authority of allowing more water was vested. Landsmen would not credit the various scenes of cruelty and tyrannical oppression I have been an eyewitness to, as well as a partial sufferer; the present case is only a part, and not to be compared to others, which were done by these "gentlemen of the epaulette," during the cruise, and which I shall note as they happened......This morning, at 10, A. M. all hands were called to witness punishment; and, however irksome or unpleasant a scene.....