- Author
- Periodical, Navy League Journal
- Subjects
- Ship histories and stories
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- June 2009 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Some sound advice: Don’t Put it in Writing!
HMS Incredible, 15th August.
Sir, I have the honour to submit that I may be granted extra pay as follows.
On arrival at the Summer Training Camp, I was sent for by the Commander and he informed me that me being a Boatswain was in command of transport, and that this being so, horses 6 in No. and mules 1 in No. was on my slop chit.
Now, what I feels sir is this. I am perfectly pleased to do whatever is required of me as per regulations, but I wish to respectfully draw attention to the fact that I am a Boatswain, and that that being the case the circumstances is such as to justify payment of allowance under K.R. 2927, para. 2, for extraneous duties.
I’m not complaining, but it might interest you, Sir, to know that I sustained considerable injuries from the mule, not mentioning the horses who was enough trouble as it was.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Wilberforce Seaweed, Boatswain, Royal Navy.
CAPTAIN’S OFFICE, Intolerable. MINUTE SHEET. Comdr. Paymr. Comdr.
I For remarks please. Mr. Seaweed incorrectly quotes K.R. 2927, which refers to the reporting of High Tide in Scottish Waters. Suppose he means K.R. 2977.
II He was in charge of the horses. If a Boatswain on board is in charge of boats, then ashore he’s transport officer. But let him get extra pay if he can. The mule did kick him once or twice.
U. Scrubb-Downe, Commander. 15/8.
III Captain’s Secretary is in error quoting K.R. 2977, which deals with precautions to be taken to prevent undue evaporation of rum. Correct article is 3977. Propose to forward Mr. Seaweed’s application. Chas. Marrowfat, Paymr. Comdr. 16/8.
IV From The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. Incredible
Date, 17th August.
To Rear-Admiral, Battle Squadron. Submitted. With reference to K.R. 3977, authority is requested to credit Mr. Seaweed, Boatswain, with Command Pay at a special rate of 4d. per day for the period 1st-14th August, when he was in command of the transport column of the detachment landed for training at the Summer Camp in accordance with your Memorandum B.S. 9 of 23rd July.
2. The duties were of an arduous and unusual nature, accompanied by an element of personal risk, and Mr. Seaweed carried them out to my entire satisfaction.
C. Dogge, Captain.
V B.S. 54. “Incredible.”
It is presumed that reference to K.R. 3987 was intended. K.R. 3977 would appear to refer to the disposal of surplus bollards on Icelandic fishery patrol.
2. This should be confirmed.
G. B. Shore, Rear-Admiral
VI
23rd August. No. 92. R.A. B.S. Submitted this is confirmed and error regretted.
C. Dogge, Captain.
VII
24 August B.S. 54. C-in-C. S.F. Submitted.
Payment would not appear justified in the circumstances disclosed, but the request is submitted for decision as a special case.
G. B. Shore, Rear-Admiral.
VIII From-Commander-m-Chief, Southern Meet. No. SF 273/34.
Date, 12th September. To Secretary of the Admiralty.
The attached request is submitted for Their Lordships’ favourable consideration.
2. I am strongly of the opinion that payment should be allowed.
David Jones, Admiral
IX
Incredible
1st October Sir, Has my extra pay come through yet, please?
Wilberforce Seaweed, Boatswain, Royal Navy.
X
Incredible,
18 November Sir,
What about my extra pay, please?
Wilberforce Seaweed, Boatswain, Royal Navy.
XI
21st December. In reply, please quote: C.W. 7725/37.
Commander-in-Chief, Southern Fleet, Rear-Admiral, Battle Squadron
XII To: Commanding Officer, H.M.S. Incredible
With reference to your submission No. 237/34 of 12th September, I am directed by Their Lordships to refer you to the provisions of A.L. P.M. 2936/67, of 23rd July, 1868, whereby it was laid down that transport trains are to be considered as store articles. The question of the payment of Command Pay does not therefore arise.
I am further to request that the items composing the transport train may be mustered and surveyed, and that in the event of loss or damage having been sustained, to direct that the necessary sum may be recovered from the officer responsible.