The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1916. THE BRITISH MERCANTILE MARINE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 55, 10 February 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1916. THE BRITISH MERCANTILE MARINE.

"No ship has been held for a day in 1 port because of the crew's refusal to face the dangers." Quoting these words, contained in a speech delivered at a meeting of Liverpool shipowners, the Otago Daily Times says they constitute about the finest tribute that could possibly be paid, to the men of the merchant service. The southern journal goes on to say: We have read a good deal, unfortunately, of disaffection in other industries, where men have refused to work when there was no question of danger entering the case. Even in the munitions industry men have sometimes been dead to the appeal that upon their loyal efforts the victory of their country has depended. But where a fresh element lias entered - a,n element that workers might, with some show of argument, have demurred about facing, to wit, the element of a novel danger—there has been no question of shirking duty, no question of exorbitant demands in return for its performance. The matter is one that touches national pride. British sailors, whether on battleship or submarine, on liner or tramp or mine-sweeping trawler, are true to the great traditions which they inherit. In contemplation of all that we .owe to the might of the invincible navy |of Great .Britain we must not lose .sight of the immense indebtedness of | the Empire, at such a time as this, to the men who navigate the vast fleet j that carries British commerce or every sea as boldly and efficiently as if no 'great war were in progress. Our [commerce carriers do pay a penalty m 'a percentage of hisses, but of interrupItion of their great task there is none. I The risks involved in the presence at J sea of German submarines or othei raiders have been faced so calmly, and ! accepted so much as a matter of course, that for all the outward indication of them manifested in the British mercantile marine they might be sai'l to have never existed at all. Of all the d-'cds of heroism performed on hoard British merchant ships since the war began we may never hear a hundredth part. These things have been achieved in the silent and cheerjful execution of duty. German 'marine.; have assuredly added another I peril to what has always been deemed a hazardous calling. It has made no ! difference when it is considered that merchant seamen are noncombat(ants their stoicism becomes the more ) to be admired. 1 _ "£--_