NAVY GHOSTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1915, 14 December 1918, Page 1

NAVY GHOSTS.

EXTRA NOISES

The firs) lieutenant had just been relieved, and was wending Ids way from the destroyer's bridge to his cabin. It Avas fairly calm, but very dark, and there was little to be seen but a line of waves on each side and the slim form of a second destroyer in station astern. Even for (his “No. 1” had no eyes, for he had a rvcary middle watch, and bed rvas his only interest. But ho did notice a weird figure, apparently human, crawling about near the “band-stand” of the after gun. He, Avent to investigate, and found the surgeon probationer, clad in a chamois leather overall suit, in Avhich he had been sleeping on the wardroom couch beloAv —for everyone must sleep more or less clad, ready to turn out at a moment’s notice. Tie was feeling about in the dark, apparently in search for something. “What on earth are you doing, doc?" he asked, and got the brief answer: “Laying a ghost." The

tirst lieutenant grunted and disappeared beloAv, leaving (he doctor to insert a paper Avedge belAveen a loose rattling shell and the side of the stand in which it avus placed.

A ghost, in naval language, is a noise which cannot he accounted for. in a destroyer one becomes a connoisseur in noises. The steering gear clanks heavily at intervals, and the rythmic beat of the engines is always there, changing only when the speed is altered. In heavy weather the washing and beating of the water makes a hundred noises, and if the full force of a wave suddenly breaks on the ship's side it gives a sickening thud, which may bring you bounding from your bed —for you never know what may have happened. But ghosts are extra noises, and should be avoidable. Some misplaced or ill-fitting article, or a loose screw may cause the noise, and with the ship’s vibration it will knock and rattle with a regular persistency that will drive the most placid mind nearly to frenzy, and sleep will rarely be the victim’s portion until he has left his warm bunk and found the cause of the trouble, and the ghost is laid.