United States or Mongolia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
These were ordered to hustle out coal before boilers B and D. Then Heistand taught the members of the section how to swing a shovel to the best advantage so as to get in a maximum of coal with the least effort. He also illustrated two or three incorrect ways of shoveling coal. "The idea of making coal heavers out of us!" growled a much-disgusted voice.
"Heistand," ordered the chief engineer, "give these members of the first section, third: class, steam instruction, a thorough drill in firing." "Aye, aye, sir," replied the chief water tender, saluting. "Heistand's orders are mine, Mr. Dalzell," continued the lieutenant-commander, facing Dan. "Preserve order in your section." "Aye, aye, sir," replied Dan, saluting.
These, though not needed for the handling of the battleship, were permitted to burn for a while, Heistand explaining to the section practically the uses of the water gauges and the test cocks. By this time the midshipmen's white working clothes were liberally sprinkled with coal dust and somewhat smeared with oils.
"And now, young gentlemen, as we have no further use for these fires, you will next learn how to haul them," announced Heistand. This was interesting work, but hot and fast. The implements with which the middies worked soon became red-hot at the end. Yet, as all entered into this novel work with zest, the fires had soon been hauled out on to the floor plates.
Dan did not see who the speaker was, but his eyes flashed as he turned and rasped out: "Silence in the section! Speak only to ask for information, and then at the proper time." "Another young autocrat!" muttered a voice. "Wait one moment, please, Heistand," begged Dan.
"You will now, young gentlemen," began Heistand, "proceed to learn all about priming a furnace, lighting, building, cleaning and generally taking care of a fire. Two furnaces have been left idle for this instruction." But two of the regular firemen now remained in the room.
"Now, young gentlemen," resumed the chief water tender, "take your shovels and fill in lively under boilers B and D." Three or four times Heistand checked one or another of the midshipmen, to show him a more correct way of handling the shovel. Yet, in good time, both furnaces were primed. "Now, Mr.
Acknowledging this courtesy in kind, the chief engineer turned and left the furnace room. Heistand was presumably of German parentage, though he had no accent. He struck the midshipmen as being a pleasant, wholesome fellow, though the water tenders and firemen of the "Massachusetts" knew that he could be extremely strict and grim at need.
Word Of The Day