The Master who had meditated6 so deeply on the rebirth of arts and sciences, on the inward beauty of all things — ships’ lines, women’s faces — and on the visible aspects of nature was profoundly right in his pronouncement on the work that is done on the earth. From the hard work of men are born the sympathetic consciousness of a common destiny, the fidelity7 to right practice which makes great craftsmen8, the sense of right conduct which we may call honour, the devotion to our calling and the idealism which is not a misty9, winged angel without eyes, but a divine figure of terrestrial aspect with a clear glance and with its feet resting firmly on the earth on which it was born.
And work will overcome all evil, except ignorance, which is the condition of humanity and, like the ambient air, fills the space between the various sorts and conditions of men, which breeds hatred10, fear, and contempt between the masses of mankind, and puts on men’s lips, on their innocent lips, words that are thoughtless and vain.
Thoughtless, for instance, were the words that (in all innocence11, I believe) came on the lips of a prominent statesman making in the House of Commons an eulogistic12 reference to the British Merchant Service. In this name I include men of diverse status and origin, who live on and by the sea, by it exclusively, outside all professional pretensions13 and social formulas, men for whom not only their daily bread but their collective character, their personal achievement and their individual merit come from the sea. Those words of the statesman were meant kindly14; but, after all, this is not a complete excuse. Rightly or wrongly, we expect from a man of national importance a larger and at the same time a more scrupulous15 precision of speech, for it is possible that it may go echoing down the ages. His words were:
“It is right when thinking of the Navy not to forget the men of the Merchant Service, who have shown — and it is more surprising because they have had no traditions towards it — courage as great,” etc., etc.
And then he went on talking of the execution of Captain Fryatt, an event of undying memory, but less connected with the permanent, unchangeable conditions of sea service than with the wrong view German minds delight in taking of Englishmen’s psychology16. The enemy, he said, meant by this atrocity17 to frighten our sailors away from the sea.
“What has happened?” he goes on to ask. “Never at any time in peace have sailors stayed so short a time ashore18 or shown such a readiness to step again into a ship.”
Which means, in other words, that they answered to the call. I should like to know at what time of history the English Merchant Service, the great body of merchant seamen19, had failed to answer the call. Noticed or unnoticed, ignored or commanded, they have answered invariably the call to do their work, the very conditions of which made them what they are. They have always served the nation’s needs through their own invariable fidelity to the demands of their special life; but with the development and complexity20 of material civilisation21 they grew less prominent to the nation’s eye among all the vast schemes of national industry. Never was the need greater and the call to the services more urgent than to-day. And those inconspicuous workers on whose qualities depends so much of the national welfare have answered it without dismay, facing risk without glory, in the perfect faithfulness to that tradition which the speech of the statesman denies to them at the very moment when he thinks fit to praise their courage . . . and mention his surprise!
The hour of opportunity has struck — not for the first time — for the Merchant Service; and if I associate myself with all my heart in the admiration22 and the praise which is the greatest reward of brave men I must be excused from joining in any sentiment of surprise. It is perhaps because I have not been born to the inheritance of that tradition, which has yet fashioned the fundamental part of my character in my young days, that I am so consciously aware of it and venture to vindicate23 its existence in this outspoken24 manner.
Merchant seamen have always been what they are now, from their earliest days, before the Royal Navy had been fashioned out of the material they furnished for the hands of kings and statesmen. Their work has made them, as work undertaken with single-minded devotion makes men, giving to their achievements that vitality26 and continuity in which their souls are expressed, tempered and matured through the succeeding generations. In its simplest definition the work of merchant seamen has been to take ships entrusted27 to their care from port to port across the seas; and, from the highest to the lowest, to watch and labour with devotion for the safety of the property and the lives committed to their skill and fortitude28 through the hazards of innumerable voyages.
That was always the clear task, the single aim, the simple ideal, the only problem for an unselfish solution. The terms of it have changed with the years, its risks have worn different aspects from time to time. There are no longer any unexplored seas. Human ingenuity29 has devised better means to meet the dangers of natural forces. But it is always the same problem. The youngsters who were growing up at sea at the end of my service are commanding ships now. At least I have heard of some of them who do. And whatever the shape and power of their ships the character of the duty remains30 the same. A mine or a torpedo31 that strikes your ship is not so very different from a sharp, uncharted rock tearing her life out of her in another way. At a greater cost of vital energy, under the well-nigh intolerable stress of vigilance and resolution, they are doing steadily32 the work of their professional forefathers33 in the midst of multiplied dangers. They go to and fro across the oceans on their everlasting34 task: the same men, the same stout35 hearts, the same fidelity to an exacting36 tradition created by simple toilers who in their time knew how to live and die at sea.
Allowed to share in this work and in this tradition for something like twenty years, I am bold enough to think that perhaps I am not altogether unworthy to speak of it. It was the sphere not only of my activity but, I may safely say, also of my affections; but after such a close connection it is very difficult to avoid bringing in one’s own personality. Without looking at all at the aspects of the Labour problem, I can safely affirm that I have never, never seen British seamen refuse any risk, any exertion38, any effort of spirit or body up to the extremest demands of their calling. Years ago — it seems ages ago — I have seen the crew of a British ship fight the fire in the cargo39 for a whole sleepless40 week and then, with her decks blown up, I have seen them still continue the fight to save the floating shell. And at last I have seen them refuse to be taken off by a vessel41 standing42 by, and this only in order “to see the last of our ship,” at the word, at the simple word, of a man who commanded them, a worthy37 soul indeed, but of no heroic aspect. I have seen that. I have shared their days in small boats. Hard days. Ages ago. And now let me mention a story of to-day.
I will try to relate it here mainly in the words of the chief engineer of a certain steamship43 which, after bunkering, left Lerwick, bound for Iceland. The weather was cold, the sea pretty rough, with a stiff head wind. All went well till next day, about 1.30 p.m., then the captain sighted a suspicious object far away to starboard. Speed was increased at once to close in with the Faroes and good lookouts45 were set fore25 and aft. Nothing further was seen of the suspicious object, but about half-past three without any warning the ship was struck amidships by a torpedo which exploded in the bunkers. None of the crew was injured by the explosion, and all hands, without exception, behaved admirably.
The chief officer with his watch managed to lower the No. 3 boat. Two other boats had been shattered by the explosion, and though another lifeboat was cleared and ready, there was no time to lower it, and “some of us jumped while others were washed overboard. Meantime the captain had been busy handing lifebelts to the men and cheering them up with words and smiles, with no thought of his own safety.” The ship went down in less than four minutes. The captain was the last man on board, going down with her, and was sucked under. On coming up he was caught under an upturned boat to which five hands were clinging. “One lifeboat,” says the chief engineer, “which was floating empty in the distance was cleverly manoeuvred to our assistance by the steward46, who swam off to her pluckily47. Our next endeavour was to release the captain, who was entangled48 under the boat. As it was impossible to right her, we set-to to split her side open with the boat hook, because by awful bad luck the head of the axe49 we had flew off at the first blow and was lost. The rescue took thirty minutes, and the extricated50 captain was in a pitiable condition, being badly bruised51 and having swallowed a lot of salt water. He was unconscious. While at that work the submarine came to the surface quite close and made a complete circle round us, the seven men that we counted on the conning52 tower laughing at our efforts.
“There were eighteen of us saved. I deeply regret the loss of the chief officer, a fine fellow and a kind shipmate showing splendid promise. The other men lost — one A.B., one greaser, and two firemen — were quiet, conscientious53, good fellows.”
With no restoratives in the boat, they endeavoured to bring the captain round by means of massage54. Meantime the oars55 were got out in order to reach the Faroes, which were about thirty miles dead to windward, but after about nine hours’ hard work they had to desist, and, putting out a sea-anchor, they took shelter under the canvas boat-cover from the cold wind and torrential rain. Says the narrator: “We were all very wet and miserable56, and decided57 to have two biscuits all round. The effects of this and being under the shelter of the canvas warmed us up and made us feel pretty well contented58. At about sunrise the captain showed signs of recovery, and by the time the sun was up he was looking a lot better, much to our relief.”
After being informed of what had been done the revived captain “dropped a bombshell in our midst,” by proposing to make for the Shetlands, which were only one hundred and fifty miles off. “The wind is in our favour,” he said. “I promise to take you there. Are you all willing?” This — comments the chief engineer —“from a man who but a few hours previously59 had been hauled back from the grave!” The captain’s confident manner inspired the men, and they all agreed. Under the best possible conditions a boat-run of one hundred and fifty miles in the North Atlantic and in winter weather would have been a feat60 of no mean merit, but in the circumstances it required uncommon61 nerve and skill to carry out such a promise. With an oar44 for a mast and the boat-cover cut down for a sail they started on their dangerous journey, with the boat compass and the stars for their guide. The captain’s undaunted serenity62 buoyed63 them all up against despondency. He told them what point he was making for. It was Ronas Hill, “and we struck it as straight as a die.”
The chief engineer commends also the ship steward for the manner in which he made the little food they had last, the cheery spirit he manifested, and the great help he was to the captain by keeping the men in good humour. That trusty man had “his hands cruelly chafed64 with the rowing, but it never damped his spirits.”
They made Ronas Hill (as straight as a die), and the chief engineer cannot express their feelings of gratitude65 and relief when they set their feet on the shore. He praises the unbounded kindness of the people in Hillswick. “It seemed to us all like Paradise regained,” he says, concluding his letter with the words:
“And there was our captain, just his usual self, as if nothing had happened, as if bringing the boat that hazardous66 journey and being the means of saving eighteen souls was to him an everyday occurrence.”
Such is the chief engineer’s testimony67 to the continuity of the old tradition of the sea, which made by the work of men has in its turn created for them their simple ideal of conduct.
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1
degenerates
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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craftsmen
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| n. 技工 | |
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misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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12
eulogistic
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| adj.颂扬的，颂词的 | |
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13
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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15
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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psychology
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| n.心理，心理学，心理状态 | |
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atrocity
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| n.残暴，暴行 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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complexity
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| n.复杂(性)，复杂的事物 | |
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civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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vindicate
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| v.为…辩护或辩解，辩明；证明…正确 | |
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outspoken
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| adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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vitality
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| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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30
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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torpedo
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| n.水雷，地雷；v.用鱼雷破坏 | |
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32
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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steamship
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| n.汽船，轮船 | |
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44
oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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45
lookouts
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| n.寻找（ 某人/某物）( lookout的名词复数 )；是某人（自己）的问题；警戒；瞭望台 | |
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46
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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pluckily
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| adv.有勇气地，大胆地 | |
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48
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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50
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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52
conning
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| v.诈骗，哄骗( con的现在分词 )；指挥操舵( conn的现在分词 ) | |
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53
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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54
massage
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| n.按摩，揉；vt.按摩，揉，美化，奉承，篡改数据 | |
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55
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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56
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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58
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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60
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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61
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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62
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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63
buoyed
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| v.使浮起( buoy的过去式和过去分词 )；支持；为…设浮标；振奋…的精神 | |
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64
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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65
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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66
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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67
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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