WOMEN SEA-COOKS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 42, 13 November 1917, Page 6

WOMEN SEA-COOKS

ON SOME MOSQUITO BOATS

EXPERIENCES OF ONE OF THEM

It is not known to all men that many of the little coasters plying on the New Zealand coast noii carry cooks of tho gentler sex. Tho rarity of tho other kind of cook has led to this, and since stewardesses are carried on more thnn one diminutive liner there is perhaps nothing very novol in having a woman cook too. The novelty of the situation, in fact, is more likely to be felt by the women cooks. This was the case on a well-known coaster which sailed on a rouud-coast trip some weeks ago. She took with her a woman cook, whose references showed her to be a mistress of her art. This opinion was endorsed by the officers and crew after having "high tea" in the smooth waters of the harbour. The seapie, it is said, was a dream. Then the little ship pushed out into the open 6ea, and after one or two attempts to enjoy her new surroundings the new sea-cook retired to the ladies' cabin, which she shared with the stewardess. When morning came, the seas and tho ship were still holding argument regarding the laws of gravitation. Tho cook attempted to rise and dress. But the walls of the cabin and the floor and ceiling becoming inextricably entangled, blib returned to her bunk. Breakfast Tjas a bleak meal, and dinner was of the quicklunch variety. But there was no ill-feel-ing. In fact, condoling messages, urging the amateur sea-farer not to worry until she had got her sea-legs, calmed her fears as to her ability to hold her berth^-in

tho business sense. And towards evening the little ship ran into smooth .water, approaching a port. The cook arose and set to work in the galley." Soon wero wafted for'ard and aft culinary odours which made mouths water. As the ship swung into her berth "dinner" was eerv-ed-such a dinner! It is likely that it will be talked of on the coast for years to Any doubts as to tho new cook's suitability were set at rest. "A real wonder," she was pronounced. But in the dawning day, the ship put to sea again—and the new cook had not got her sea-legs yet, nor had she achieved them when the steamer reached Wellington again.

Tho captain was in a quandary. As a cook, the woman was more than satisfactory; as a sailor she was worse than awful. And, presently, tho ship's company learned that sho was to be paid oft.

It cannot be said that ships' companies, as a rule, are unanimous to a man on any vital subject. Bnt this ship's company speedily showed that they could bo on occasion. All ratings mustered nft and asked for nn interview with tho skipper. Tho burden of their plaint was: 'Let us keep our new cook!" _ The captain pointed out her shortcom- " sailor. Tho deputation emphasised her splendid cooking nhen tho ship kept on the level; in this the captain agreed, with reminiscences of the repasts which had been prepared whilo tho vessel was in port. These reminiscences began to weaken his decision. ."She will soon get her sea-legs," the company argued. "And until she does, we will help her." The stewardess concurred in this idea, and in the end the captain agreed to givo the lady-cook nnother trial. So the ship put to sea again: and it is rumoured thnt on the first day out the stewardess and donkeyman prepared lunch, for which tho engineer hnd peeled the potatoes; a fireman chopped tho wood, and a seaman v;ashed the cabbage. When the new cook gets her sea-legs and the swaying of the small liner disturbs her no more, it is expected that that steamer will be manned by tho happiest crew on this coast—not to mention the afterguard.