Sea Scouts

“ Away to their right the Sea Scouts could discern the creek winding towards the open waters of Spithead, while in the distance the flat coast of Hampshire cut the skyline.
"Where's the guardship, sir?" asked Hayes.
"There she is, unless I'm greatly mistaken," replied the Scoutmaster, pointing to a long, low, black hull with a white superstructure.
"She's not very big," remarked Ted Coles, the greenhorn, dubiously. "And the creek's little larger than a ditch."
"Don't look a gift-horse in the mouth," said Desmond. "Wait till we're aboard. Things look a bit deceptive from a height. ”

“ Their host came on board to wish them bon voyage, and, at the Sea Scouts' invitation, he agreed to go as a passenger as far as Caudebec.
"I am hoping," he said, "to raise a troop of Sea Scouts at Rouen. The only difficulty that presents itself is the time it occupies to carry out the work properly. I quite understand that an inefficient troop, run by a Scoutmaster who does not, or cannot, devote sufficient time, is worse than useless. However, I am serious about it, and if the scheme matures, then some day you might see a French yacht, manned by French Sea Scouts, sailing into your Keyhaven." ”

“ Grant had recovered his health when the Sea Scouts’ Jamboree was announced. It was to be a gathering of every troop in the United Kingdom, and was to be held in the spacious land-locked waters of Chichester harbour. There were to be sailing and motor-boat races, rowing and sculling matches, swimming and diving contests, and numerous competitions in which the Sea Scouts were to display their prowess. For those lads who were unable to come round in their own craft a splendid camping site was provided ”

“ The door of the hut was closed and locked, the Sea Scouts fell in, each lad shouldering his kit-bag.
"Quick march," came the crisp order, and the patrol made its way up the cliff path on the first stage of its adventures on the river and on the sea. ”

“ Your Scoutmaster tells me that you have only an old ship's boat. You deserve something better. I am giving you a yacht—no, not the Ocean Bride," he said hurriedly, as more than one pair of eyes turned in the direction of the yacht lying alongside. "The one I'm handing over to you is the Spindrift, which is a little more than half the size of the Ocean Bride."
"Thanks awfully much, sir," replied the Sea Scouts in chorus; then in their excitement they volleyed a string of questions: "Where is she, sir? What is she like? When can we have her?"
"Steady!" protested Mr. Collinson smilingly. ”

“ On board the on-coming craft a Scoutmaster and three Sea Scouts were visible on deck. They were showing no signs of coming to attention. One of the crew was handling a warp up for'ard, while another was coiling up a rope on the aft-deck. It was not until a third hung out a couple of fenders, and stood by with a boat-hook, that the crew of the guardship realized that the motor-boat was coming alongside.
"Dismiss!" ordered Mr. Graham. "Stand by to take their warps." ”

“ By the time they returned with their well-laden trek-cart the tide had commenced to flow, and the water was already lapping the keel of the dinghy.
Ten minutes later the little craft was pushed off through the soft mud and taken alongside the bridge. The stores and baggage were passed aboard, the trek-cart put into a shed at the mill, and the Sea Scouts set off for their temporary floating home.
"She's a whopping craft, after all!" exclaimed Ted Coles, as the dinghy drew near the guardship. ”

“ At high water the harbour-master came alongside, and, having collected dues, suggested that the Rosalie should shift her berth.
"You'll be all right between those two buoys," he said. "You'll probably ground at low water, but the mud's soft, so you won't heel there."
For the next three days it blew hard. The Sea Scouts endured the forced detention with fortitude, but whenever they landed and walked to the pier-head the aspect of the English Channel rather made them wonder whether it was going to be rough for weeks. As far as the eye could see, there were tumultuous, white-crested waves. ”

“ Faintly, and far ahead, came the hoarse bray of a steamer's syren. Ashore a dog was barking dismally—the noise too close to be appreciated by the crew of the fog-bound yacht; while in the flat calm, the roar of the surf upon the iron-bound coast was an audible reminder of the fate a small craft might expect should she be carried upon that dangerous shore.
It was the Scoutmaster's plan to hold on the present course until the yacht was well clear of the coast; then to shape a course up-Channel until the fog lifted. ”

“ At seven sharp, the Sea Scouts were at the quay landing steps. There was no sign of the Spindrift's dinghy. The yacht was not visible from where they stood, a large tramp steamer lying between her and the Dartmouth side of the harbour.
At half-past seven, no Scoutmaster being forthcoming, Desmond suggested going on board.
"We can get a boatman to put us off," he said. "It's quite possible Mr. Graham has gone for a row in the dinghy, and it's taking longer to get back against the tide than he thought." ”

“ Desmond had picked up a telescope, and was examining the on-coming vessel.
"Why, sir!" he announced. "She's a Sea Scout boat. At least she's manned by Sea Scouts. I wonder what she's doing here?"
"The creek's free to anybody," rejoined Findlay. "We're not the only Sea Scouts. I expect they'll land at the Bridge." ”

“ The Sea Scouts are warned that in the future they will be expected to be shipshape in their habits, and that articles left carelessly lying about will not be returned to their owners until due penalty in the shape of extra duty has been paid. ”

“ Aided by the engine going slowly ahead, the Sea Scouts hauled in and coiled away the grass-warp until all but 30 feet was inboard. The difficulty that confronted them was how to cast off the end from the tree trunk. Even by running the boat's bows gently aground there was too wide a space of water to leap over.
"We don't want to cut the rope," said the Patrol-leader tentatively. "Now then, you budding Blondins; who's going to walk the tight-rope?" ”

“ CHAPTER I Afloat Once More
"To-morrow the tide serves," declared Patrol Leader Peter Stratton, stepping back a few paces in order to admire the joint handiwork of the 1st Milford Sea Scouts. "We'll launch her while the compo's wet. That's the right thing, I believe."
It was a blazing morning late in July. The Sea Scouts, with the best part of seven weeks' holiday in front of them, were engaged in giving their craft—the 54-foot motor-boat Olivette—a belated refit before undertaking what Alan Hepworth described as "the stunt of stunts". ”

“ A hissing, white-crested wave, pouring completely over the boat, confirmed the Scoutmaster's words. Below, the Sea Scouts were plying the semi-rotary pump, but their strenuous efforts failed to cope with the steady inrush of water. Already there was a foot or more swirling over the engine-room floor, to the detriment of the task of clearing the choked carburetter.
As he went below to look out the materials for the improvised sea-anchor, Mr. Armitage was confronted by old Tom Boldrigg.
"Try ile, sir," suggested the ex-sailor. "Ile's an excellent thing for quietin' the waves. ”

“ Gathering way she quickly glided up the channel, rounding to and dropping anchor within half a cable's length of Padstow Quay.
After everything was made snug, the dinghy was manned and the three Sea Scouts set out for the shore, Mr. Graham volunteering to keep anchor-watch in their absence.
Close to the Spindrift was a "sixteen-footer", in the stern sheets of which knelt a very red-faced man, struggling with a refractory outboard engine. Through sheer exhaustion he desisted as the Sea Scout's dinghy passed.
"Say, you lads," he exclaimed breathlessly. "Do you ever use strong language? ”

“ Lying alongside the smack we rise and fall with her. Her crew will have to see to the warps."
The task of making fast had occupied the attention of all hands, but when the work was completed the Sea Scouts became aware that they were objects of considerable attention. There was quite a crowd of fishermen and longshore folk taking an interest in the Olivette, while standing discreetly in the background, with their helmets showing above the heads of the onlookers, were two stalwart policemen. ”

“ The impression left on one's mind by the display on the Edgbaston Reservoir by the Sea Scouts was that they would be useful lads to have about in case of misfortune at sea. They seem to know just what should be done in an emergency, and, further, just how to do it. ”

“ Graham, "or I would not have played a joke upon him. A joke always falls very flat if the victim cannot take it good-temperedly."
Three-quarters of an hour passed. The Sea Scouts were about to return to search for the absent member of the crew when Hayes came into view, running and rather short of breath.
"It's there, sir," he began. "There's no railway station at Dartmouth, but the first fellow I asked—a Scout—told me to go across the harbour to Kingswear. There's a ferry across. ”

“ Mr. Gray’s face lit up with a smile of intelligence. “Well, to tell the truth, I did feel something pleasant; and, now that I think of it, you boys were standing at attention at that very time when Mr. Miller came up and shook hands with me.”
“That’s right, sir,” said Jack. “We older Sea Scouts like these little bits of ceremony, especially because it’s just what [21] happens when we are aboard the old Bright Wing, and brings back the taste of the salt water and the feel of the breeze on your face.” ”

“ Compared with the Puffin she was a lump of a boat. With her newly fitted iron keel she was “as stiff as a house.” Her original masts, sails, anchor, chain and other gear were stored in a shed adjoining the creek. Timber and other necessary material were readily procurable at Falmouth. Most of these were brought by water in a serviceable 14-foot dinghy that had been included in the bargain.
Work progressed apace. The Sea Scouts stuck it gamely, cheerfully working long hours in the assurance that theirs was a labour of love for that fickle taskmistress the sea. ”

“ He cocked his eye aloft at the expanse of tautened canvas, and then looked at Brandon enquiringly.
“No use, my lad,” replied the Patrol Leader. “You won’t find a brace aboard this craft. Sea Scouts favour belts, you know. Now, lads! Dinner! We’re behind time.” ”

“ At length the Sea Scouts and their trek-cart came to a halt outside an old mill. Here the main road from Ryde to Newport, the "capital" of the Isle of Wight, crosses the creek by means of a brick bridge. Close to it is the village that takes its name from the bridge.
"Now to find out Mr. Johnson who has the key of the guardship," announced the Scoutmaster; but, before he could take further steps in the matter, an old, grey-bearded man, wearing a blue reefer suit and a peaked cap, came out of a cottage near by.
"You'rn the gen'l'man what's a friend to Mr. Tweedie's, I take it, sir?" ”

“ Mr. Graham was keen on encouraging initiative in his lads, and on this occasion, as on many others, he had no cause to find fault. Everything had gone without a hitch, except, as Findlay remarked, the hitches on the cable. This done, the Sea Scouts returned to the guardship for dinner.
"Look, sir!" exclaimed Hayes, pointing with a rust-stained finger in the direction of the entrance to the creek. "There's a motor-boat coming right up. We've only just finished in time."
"Yes," agreed Mr. Graham. "She's a fairly big craft, too. She'll test our work for us." ”

“ Optically the yacht was in the midst of a vast sea, but a deviation from the correct course would speedily pile her upon one of the submerged dangers that infest the Thames estuary.
"Lightship ahead, sir," reported Woodleigh.
"That's Black Deep," replied the Scoutmaster. "We're all right, so far. Now port helm a point. That ought to take us through Fisherman's Gat."
A few minutes later the hitherto tranquil surface of the water was ruffled with cats' paws. A light breeze from the nor'west'ard was springing up.
"All hands on deck!" shouted the Scoutmaster. "All hands make sail." ”

“ The Bright Wing is not a yacht, and we are not here just to enjoy ourselves, although we probably shall have a much better time than if we were. We are here to learn to apply the spirit of the scout law to the art of seamanship. I do not want to keep you long now, but I [48] want to point out to you at the outset the fact that you have a real responsibility as the crew of this vessel.
“Men who are in the habit of facing danger look it squarely in the face and do not pretend that it does not exist. ”

“ Woodleigh and Warkworth cleaned out the forepeak and the galley, while the Scoutmaster toiled like a Trojan in the main cabin.
By six o'clock in the evening the Rosalie was transformed into a clean and tidy craft, the Sea Scouts' gear was packed away below, and the galley fires were burning brightly. Half an hour later all hands sat down to a plentiful meal in the saloon Then, dead tired with their exertions, they turned in and slept until nearly eight the next morning.
"No chance of a start to-day," declared Mr. Armitage. "The glass has risen far too quickly. ”

“ The ground swell of the shallow sea tested the seamanship of the young Scouts to the utmost and one or two of them retired to their stateroom, but as a large proportion of the passengers were affected in the same way there was very little disposition to deride the unfortunates, as had been done on the trip up the “Inside Passage.” They arrived safely, however, and were again accorded 172 a warm welcome by Colonel Snow’s comrades of the army, who at once took them to the post, which is the chief institution of importance in the small town. ”