Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ... Although the commissioning of a ship is a rather frequent occurrence, it is nevertheless the cause of a certain amount of commotion at the port at which the event takes place. Therefore, on the news being received that H.M.S. "Talbot" was to commission to relieve H.M.S. "Bonaventure" on the China Station, the three towns--Plymouth, Stonehouse, and Devonport--began to become interested in the former ship and its prospective ship's company, and quite a crowd of interested sightseers collected to see the body of men embarked in the "Tay" for passage to the "Talbot," which was lying off Tor Point. We were commissioned at 9 a.m. on April 10th, 1901, by Capt. F. G. Stopford, with a complement of 437 officers and men. The "Talbot" had recently paid off from the North America and West Indies Station, and was the British man-o'-war that the Americans fired on during the Spanish-American War. During the first week we drew our supply of ammunition and provisions, taking in a sufficient quantity to last six months. On Friday, April 19th, we exercised general quarters, and on the 22nd collision quarters. On the 24th of April, the cabin that was made for a flag-lieut. was handed over to the dockyard authorities to be converted into a wireless telegraphy office, and several "matey's" came on board to commence active operations on it. On Saturday, about 5.30 a.m., we weighed and steamed out to the Sound, passing the guardships, "Diadem" and "Sutlej." The last-named is one of the four-funnelled, and is now doing her trials. At 8 a.m. we saluted the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Lord Charles Scott, K.C.B., with seventeen guns, and the "Nile" returned a salute of seven. Shortly after eight we were swung for adjustment of compasses, which we had...
