The Merchant Navy A Reply to Complainant To the Editor of the "Nonrit-Cuixa Dany News"
'SmI am writing this letter strong condemnation of Barnst Se 'MAN'S unjust, Incorrect, inconsistent and ill-limed' letter. I' am writing with a comprehension of facts garding the employment of foreign nationals on British ships and, cannot substantiate some of my statements with the oMfeial, or unofficial, source of my information, it Is to be "The Inconsistencies of his vituperation can be readily seen. He states "During their hours on watch these men are in absolute control (the master and chief engineer must sleep) and many things can happen, so why not have British ofoers take their places'.....", That statement, to me. Insinuaict that any amicer of nation ality other than British Is not cap-fable of being eft in control, which ridiculous,. Later on "Burrisi Staman states "Tam not trying to run down the abilities of other nationals". Well, dear Editor, if the first quotation mentioned "in this paragraph isnot crying down the Abilities of other nationals, T think TH go back to school and start leamning English. The indirect accusation fof that quotation is obvious even to me, a British seaman—I ber your pardon, a. just British seaman, with a cognizance of facts apparently beyond that of your correspondent.
"British Seaman" talks about employing other than British on British Ships and says substitute with British femeers, All T can say Is for him to along to the British Consulrte Shipping OMe and try and set hold of tome British tlekets—T don't think he'll Fucceed; there is none spare in He talks of H.MS.'s Westcott and Birminehom gain to render naval astietance to. British shine and wonders if these shies had British 'oMesre. a nninttess question, insomuch fas the ships were Britith and no matter who mans them they are en" {ited to naval assistance if required.
T lenow of a recent case where two nationals of a country. other than Britain wore token on" as chief oM. evs at British shine—thore was not Briton to be found at a loore end fr qut-of a lob in Shanchal and T'm fire. that "we, as British Merchant Navy emeers." are only. too glad to have the areitance of others to keen, thu old. red utter. trotting around. Thats where the intusdice of Harris Srenran's letter comes in. When in trouble or short of men we are quite wiNing to take on the services of felondly neutrals, noulrols who are fully aware that, being ina ship of a belligerent nation, they are l-ble to be sent to Davy Jones' locker by ming, bomb or sselltre,. T say thanks {othe Iaddies who are helping us.
We are tiehting for freedom of thought, action "and speech, and friendship amon, nations and T'm afraid that our friend is not helping much by welling as he does.
In my humble opinion, writing to the brets on subjects awry from our own, Immediate welfare is rather futile, incomush that it only expresses one man's opinion, usually not_an futharitative ome. Naturally: Breve 'Sranesy as a Brisitih seaman is fully entitied to write about British seamen and in some respects T can roe his point, although on the whole his Totter. ives me the opinion of sour raves', His opinions are naturally authoritative in the respect that he 1 of a brotherhood of which member, but it would Detter if such Tellers as his were not written, for they are apt to be on-Atirelv misleading' and. in my opinion, Inculting to foreigners whom count amongst our trlends—friends in need, airing the last war T believe tha: Norwealan shipping tosses, (mainly carrying foods for the Allies) were greater than Britain's, That state Ment may. or may mot, be correct jin the full sense of the word but there Is no doubt of its comparative truth, "Narwaw thas but 294 million inhabitants and is. predominantly a lation of seamen which, although 1 fam mentioning but one country, fur ther proves the Injustice of "your ectiespondent's letter.
Since I-first went to sea (quite a few "years back) have sailed. with nationals of almost every seafaring country of the world. T have bean in_emergeney with them when the order of the day was cool heads fund staunch hearts, and they haven't failed any more than anyone else might, Including ourselves. 1 Eritish, and proud of it. prender stilt her seamen but, tive ereait where It is National pride is a great thing viding it'doesn't Tead to egotistical iwalism, such as. is evinced by Germans. "Might is not right, be, and the average educated Britis realizes it.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.