OUR INDIAN SAILORS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 185, 23 June 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

OUR INDIAN SAILORS.

THE HARD-WORKING LASCAR. •"When the terror and tumult of hate shall cease, Ami life be re-fashioned on anvils of Peace, Ami urn lio:.cur the :leed of the tttalh'es- cues, —Sarojini Naidu. The generous way in which India has come forward with men, money and gifts in kind has drawn still closer the links that bind us to our Eastern Empire. Among the Indian fellow-subjects who have shared our dangers and bid clown their lives with ours, we must not forget those non-combatant victims of German [rightfulness, the Lascars, who perished in the sinking of the Persia,. Maloja. and other ships, and whose behaviour, when facing death, was described by survivors as magnificent. Eastern-going ships are chiefly manned by these Indian sailors, and, to passengers they appear as picturesque figures in their red and blue uniforms as they stand in rows for Sunday inspection, or run with swift bare feet across the deck when summoned by the Ser.ing's high-koyed whistle. Some, too, associate their first impression of the glorious East with this Indian seaman, when, on some calm, warm night, as the great vessel throbs onward through the phosphorescent waters of the Indian Ocean, there comes a sudden cry from the forecastle as the half-hour bell is struck, and the Lascar calls "Hum dr.kia hai" (I am looking out). WELL-DISCIPLINED. An annoying figure is that same Lascar to those who have been sleep, ing on deck, who wake at early morn to see him running hither and thither with the hose-pipe, swilling the decks, nnd it is necessary to beat a hasty retreat while the steward snatches up the bedding to avoid being drenched. Put all know that the ship is kept spotlessly clean from stem to stern.' with oveiy bit of brass shining like gold, by this silent-footed army of efficient men. whose quick, disciplined response to any sudden call, such as fire-alarm or boat stations' drill, rouses the admiration of even the most casual observer. Tndeed, the officers of Eastern shipping companies who have had lifelong experience with Lascars, cannot speak too highly of them, and declare them to be superior to European crews, being more amenable io discipline, steadier workers, and willing to' endure long hours of extra labour without complaint during bad weather. In fact, there is only one draw-back to their general employment, and that is they suffer severely from coM and are therefore not at their best in European waters, ilany instances of these Indian sailors behaving with, great heroism are on Irecord, frequently one has jumped overboard to save a passenger or a comrade from drowning. They become devotedly attached to their officers and will follow them to the death, and have been known to come long distances just Io see some captain with whom they formerly served, or to express sympathy with him on some bereavement in his family. LORN SAILORS. The Lascars are sailors by hereditary training and instinct, and conie chiefly from the low-palm-fringed shores of Surat, also from Ratnagiri and the Chittagong Coast, where son has followed his father's profession from one generation to another, and the small boys learn to swim and manage a boat almost as soon as they can walk. At the age of ten or eleven they arc introduced by father or uncle ( usually a Lascar himself) t ) some shipping company, and begin theM' training as "boys" or "chokras," on a ujviucely salary of Sd. a month. These youngsters are exceedingly smart, and pick up their duties quickly, being usually employed on the hiidge as messengers. At fourteen they become "half Lascars," at a pay of ten shillings monthly, this rank corresponding to ordinary seamen in European crews. At sixteen, the lad becomes a . all-fledged Lascar, and receives about £1 monthly. He now ranks with able-seamen, and by this time is very efficient and callable of anything under good leadership. A few rise to higher positions, such as r;uar!ermast< r, tindal Iho's'un's mate), and serang (bo' sun), the latter being the highest rating and drawing from £2 10s. to ':> monthly. The serang is in charge of the crew and conducts al 1 . the work o!" the ship, receiving his orders direct from the executive officer. His influence counts for so much that there, is a populair saying anion:; Lascars, "A. good serang makes a good new." to which might be added, "A sroo.l officer makes a good se—.i' This Indian bo'sun is usually of imposing appoaianco, portly, v.tih grey or red-dved brr.rd. and distinguishable from the Lascars by the silver whistle siting on a silver chain round his neck. Under war conditions the Lascars' pay lias been increased and bonuses added. The rates quoted refer to pc-a'e times, and though they may sound small, it must be remembered ihi'i food is provided free and prep:Y ! I by their own caste cooks, and that an Oriental can live en onesixth of what a European can. The Lascars can afford to take leave for a month or so occasionally to "tliei'" own country,'' where their wives and oVor lelatives make a little by cultivation or fishing, and when (he time comr-; to retire they have usually saved something to add to the family purse. Ami, as all the relatives live together on (he patriarchal system the younger ones eoniributing to the support of the aged, they arc provide ! for i:i the'r latter years.