Out Pipe – Part 1 – Story from My Navy Days

NAVY CUT

Tobacco – the Navy Connection 

OUT PIPE

Story 

By

VIKRAM KARVE

NB:

1. This story happened 42 years ago in the 1970’s.

2. For the benefit of my civilian readers – certain Naval Terms have been explained in brackets/italics. Military/Naval/Veteran readers may skip these explanations.

PART 1

We sailed out after breakfast in the morning.

At around 10 AM – “Special Sea Dutymen” (SSD) had been “secured” after we left Vizag harbour.

[Special Sea Dutymen (SSD) are key sailors involved in certain important evolutions of the ship like entering/leaving harbour, anchoring, coming alongside, close-quarter manoeuvring, refuelling at sea etc. Officers and Key Senior/Junior Sailors and in each department man/operate vital posts/equipment during these evolutions].

SSD had been “closed up” before leaving harbour – and – SSD was “secured” after leaving harbour.

[“close up” means to immediately proceed to place of duty. “secure” means to stop work. After the evolution is completed – the SSD hands over duties to the “Duty Watch” and the SSD “secures”. The “Duty Watch” performs their assigned duties for the 4 hours “Watch” – at sea – the working day is divided into watches of 4 hours each – starting midnight – with two dog watches of 2 hours each in the evening – in order to escape the monotony of standing the same watch every day].

At 10:30 AM – “Stand Easy” was “piped”.

[“Pipe” (or Boatswain’s Call) is a command issued by the Quartermaster over the ship’s broadcast system – it comprises a boatswain's “call” – a methodical wailing whistle peculiar for each “command” – followed the verbal “command” spoken clearly on the ship’s broadcast system. “Stand Easy” is a short break for the crew in the day’s work routine for a cup of tea and a smoke].

“Stand Easy” had been piped – and – we were enjoying a cup of tea with snacks in the Wardroom.

Suddenly – the Ship’s Main Broadcast System (SRE) crackled to life – and we were surprised to hear a rather funny announcement:

“Cigarette Band”  ( सिगरेट बंद )

We were wondering about this crazy announcement – when we heard the next announcement:

“Executive Officer requested Bridge – Captain’s Compliments…”

This was going to be fun – it seemed that the XO was going to get a “Bottle” from the Captain.

[The term “Bottle” is Naval Slang for reprimand].

So – I went up to the ship’s bridge to see the fun.

The furious Captain was shouting at the XO.

“What the hell is happening…? What is this bloody “Cigarette Band” ( सिगरेट बंद ) nonsense…?” the Captain asked the XO.

“Sir – “Cigarette Band” ( सिगरेट बंद ) is the Hindi translation for “Out Pipe”. The Quartermaster was piping “Out Pipe” after “Stand Easy”…” the XO said.

[Normally – “Stand Easy” time is from 10:30 AM to 10:45 AM in the morning and for 10 minutes in the afternoon from 3 PM to 3:10 PM.  After “Stand Easy” time is over – there is a Boatswain’s Call – “Out Pipe” – asking the sailors to get back to work after their “Tea and Smoke” break. The word “Pipe” in “Out Pipe” refers to Tobacco “Pipe”. In earlier days – most sailors smoked “Pipes” – Tobacco Pipes. It was thought that the nicotine in tobacco smoke boosted your mental clarity, gave you more energy and soothed your fatigue – so – sailors would be rejuvenated after “Stand Easy” break. On hearing the “Out Pipe” – sailors would extinguish their smoking tobacco pipes – and get back to work.  “Out Pipe” is also sounded after Breakfast, Lunch Break, or whenever men are required to come up from their messes to muster for work].

“Sir – “Cigarette Band” ( सिगरेट बंद ) is the Hindi translation for “Out Pipe”. The Quartermaster was piping “Out Pipe” after “Stand Easy” time was over…” the XO explained to the Captain.

“But why the hell are we making such ridiculous “pipes” in Hindi on this ship…?” the Captain bellowed.

“Sir – there is a recent letter from Naval Headquarters (NHQ) to encourage use of Hindi in the Navy – and – they have forwarded a list of Hindi Equivalent Words for Navy Terminology…” the XO said, “and the Hindi experts in the Navy had translated “Out Pipe” as “Cigarette Band” ( सिगरेट बंद ).

(Literally translated – “Cigarette Band” means “Cigarette Shut/Close/Stop”)

“Pipes are not Cigarettes…” the Captain opined, “the correct Hindi name for “Pipe” is “Chillum” ( चिल्लम ) – or – “Hookah” ( हुक्का ). So – “Out Pipe” should be translated as “Chillum Band” ( चिल्लम बंद ) – or – “Hookah Band” ( हुक्का बंद ) – isn’t it…?”

“Yes, Sir…” the XO said.

“Send a letter to Naval Headquarters (NHQ) accordingly…” the Captain said.

“Aye Aye, Sir…” the XO said. 

(“Aye Aye” means “I understand and I will comply”)

“And one more thing – “Number One”…” the Captain said.

(Colloquially – on a ship – the Captain addresses his XO as “Number One” – with reference to the term “First Lieutenant” – as the Executive Officer was colloquially called in earlier Royal Navy Days). 

“Yes, Sir…?” the XO said.

“Stop these Hindi announcements. I don’t want sailors to get confused. Many sailors don’t understand Hindi that well. Tomorrow – they may ask me to give “Conning Orders” in Hindi – and there will be chaos. Remember – the Navy sails in international waters – so – in the Navy – we work in English. So – no more Hindi announcements on this ship…” the Captain said.

“Sir – the NHQ letter…” the XO stammered.

The Captain interrupted him and said sternly: “Till I am in Command of this ship – all “pipes” and “announcements” will be in English. Do you understand…?”

“Aye Aye, Sir…” the XO said.

So – “Cigarette Band” ( सिगरेट बंद ) was “Band” ( बंद ). 

And – we were back to the proper traditional announcement – “Out Pipe”.

To be continued in Part 2...

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

Navy Customs and Traditions – Part 2 – “Show a Leg”

Navy Customs and Traditions – Part 2 – “SHOW A LEG” 

Continued from: 

Navy Customs and Traditions – Part 1 – “IMPRESSMENT” – “PRESS GANG” – “SHANGHAI” (url: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2018/11/navy-customs-and-traditions-part-1.html )

“SHOW A LEG” 

The “Old Navy” – Customs and Traditions – Part 2

By

VIKRAM KARVE

WAKE UP CALL 

If you were a sailor on a sailing ship in the British Royal Navy around 300 years ago in the 1700’s (and later – in the 1800’s) – early in the morning – you would be woken up from your sleep by the sound of the shrill Bosun’s Pipe followed by the Navy “Wake Up Call”:

“Heave Out – Heave Out – Heave Out – Away…!!!

Come On – All You Sleepers – Hey…!!!

Show a Leg and Put a Stocking on it…”

You would in deep sleep in your hammock covered from head to toe under a blanket.

On hearing the “Wake Up Call” – you would have to stick your leg out from under the blanket for the Bosun’s Mate to see.

If the leg you showed was hairless, smooth, soft and fleshy – revealing that you were a woman – the Bosun’s Mate would leave you alone and let you sleep.

But – if the leg you showed was hairy and muscular with tattoos – indicating that you were a man – then – you would be given a hard “shake up” – and – you would be asked to “shake a leg” – “put a stocking on it” (wear your working dress uniform) – and hurry up to join the morning work routine of the ship.

WOMEN ON SHIPS

Yes – those days – in the 1700’s and 1800’s – women were allowed on ships.

No – women did not serve as crew on ships.

But – women were carried on board ships as “passengers”.

And since – on warships – there was no separate accommodation for women – women would be accommodated in Officers’ Wardrooms or Sailors’ Messes – depending on their “status”.

Those days – ships were the only medium of transportation from Britain to distant colonies of the British Empire – so – many women took passage on sailing ships (passenger steamships came much later).

Most of these women “passengers” on sailing ships were wives/daughters of British Civil/Military Officials and Traders who had settled down in distant British colonies – and – also “Fishing Fleet” Girls who were travelling to India and other Colonies to find a suitable husband from the British Colonial Civil/Military Officers serving there.

(There is a fascinating “journal” written by Eliza Bunt, widow of British Boatswain (Bosun) John Bunt of Trincomalee Naval Dockyard (Ceylon – now Sri Lanka), describing her sea journey from the Port of Trincomalee (Ceylon) to Spithead, the Naval Anchorage of Portsmouth Harbour (England), on Royal Navy Ship HMS Trincomalee – the journey home took more than 6 months (from October 27, 1818 to April 3, 1819) via the Cape of Good Hope with 4 stops enroute at Port Louis, Simons Bay, St Helena and Azores for replenishing stores and embarking/disembarking people)

Women were permitted on ships for other reasons too.

During the days of Impressment or Press Gangs – when men were taken forcibly from the streets and “pressed” into service – shore leave was impossible – lest the men desert ship and run away.

So – as recompense – women were sometimes allowed to visit – and – it is said that – at Spithead – the Naval Anchorage off Portsmouth – as many as 500 women might be entertained aboard one ship.

Naturally – after the night-long “orgy” – in the mornings – when work was begun – there existed some confusion as to who was sleeping in which bunks – and – the Petty Officers’ way of sorting this out was to shout: “Show a Leg”

Those with soft and curvy legs (women) could stay where they were – but – those with hairy legs (men) were kicked out of bed and told to get on with work…!!!

(Of course – the lucky “metrosexual” men with soft smooth legs could manage an extra wink of sleep…!)

Also – before 1840 – when the rules were fairly lax – sailors were sometimes permitted to take their wife/girlfriend along with them during sailing on the high seas.

While the sailors were expected to report for duty early in the morning – the wives/girlfriends were allowed to sleep on in their hammocks in the quarters down below.

In order to ensure that a lazy sailor was not sleeping downstairs – an Officer, Midshipman or Petty Officer went down below decks to check the sailors’ mess quarters.  

Whenever the Officer came across someone sleeping – and he wasn’t really sure if it was a man or a woman under the covers – he used to shout “show a leg”.

The person under the blanket had to stick his/her leg out.

If the leg that emerged looked like that of a woman’s – she was allowed to sleep.

But – if the leg looked like that of a man’s – the Officer would shout “shake a leg” – meaning – the man was asked to get out of bed and report for duty.

So originally – when someone asked you to show a leg – all you had to do was to show him your leg.

Around 1840 – regulations in the Navy were changed – and – women were no longer permitted to accompany men on sailing ships.

But – the expressions “show a leg” and “shake a leg” continued to be used – and – as time went on – these naval idioms became a part of everyday navy jargon as well.

SHOW A LEG

Now – the Indian Navy is contemplating having Women Sailors on board ships.

Will the Women Sailors be given a “Gender Privilege” of sleeping a bit extra in the mornings by “showing their legs” – or – like their male counterparts – will they be asked to “shake a leg” and get going to work…? 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

Disclaimer:
1. This story is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story is a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)