In other respects life was very pleasant tu a small: ship In those: one days, and we visited almost every Treaty Port along the coast, and up the Yangtze as far as Han: ow. Occasionally we visited Japan and Formosa. The ship usually spent the winter at Hankow or Newchwant these places being practically accessible during "this season vessels on account of the depth of water in the Yangtze—thero were no shallow" draught gun-boats at. this time—and the ice in the Nort, At Newchwang the ship wag placed a mud dock, dug inthe bank of the Fiver, to prevent damage to the hull from' ice pressure, the upper deck was enclosed ina mat-shed, anda humber of stoves provided to ensure protection from the intense cold. Bots Hankow and Newekwang the resldenis treated emeers and men with Ue utmost kindness and. hospitality.
The Firebrand was a very eMclent Uitle ship. and every type of drill was faithfully carried out. Gunnery those days, did not count for. much as it does to-day. "Target brace tice was a very simple affair. AM we id was to drop east: surmounted by a pole carrying a red flag aver the side, steam. round it at various distances, and blaze away." Part. of ur armament consisted of the old fashioned cutlass and boarding pike similar to those used at Trafalg fand even. before; the Intler was light "hard-wood pole with a star: steel point. Armed with this weapon the crew used to practise a drill known as "Repel Boarders," this was carried into effect by the men elimb= ing to tke top. of" the "Hammock Neltings" round the side of the ship, and from this point of vantage prod: ing with the pikes at an. imaginary enemy supposed to be "climbing of board.
"Spit and Polish Cleanliness and paintwork counted for a good deal at that time. "Tt was Known og " 1d Polls" and the executive oticer who was looking for promotion took care that his vessel was spotlessly "clean, when the Admiral of the station came on board to inspect his ship. To obtain tis result he usually had to put his hand in his pocket, as the paint and clean: ing gear supplied by tke Admiralty was as a rule insuMeient for the ultra: cleanliness considered necessary these occasions.
Despite our very small complement of about 35 all fold, we had (Continued on page 75)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.