A ship has to be respected, actually and ideally; her merit, her
innocence, are sacred things. Of all the creations of man she is the
closest partner of his toil and courage. From every point of view it is
imperative that you should do well by her. And, as always in the case of
true love, all you can do for her adds only to the tale of her merits in
your heart. Mute and compelling, she claims not only your fidelity, but
your respect. And the supreme "Well done!" which you may earn is made
over to her.
III.
It is my deep conviction, or, perhaps, I ought to say my deep feeling
born from personal experience, that it is not the sea but the ships of
the sea that guide and command that spirit of adventure which some say is
the second nature of British men. I don't want to provoke a controversy
(for intellectually I am rather a Quietist) but I venture to affirm that
the main characteristic of the British men spread all over the world, is
not the spirit of adventure so much as the spirit of service. I think
that this could be demonstrated from the history of great voyages and the
general activity of the race.
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