From sail to steam

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As a boy, before my navy appointment, I spent countless joyful hours immersed in the back issues of a British service periodical that began in 1828. This publication, which still exists today, featured not only significant naval matters but also engaging reminiscences from officers who had served during the Napoleonic wars. Among its many treasures were nautical stories, likely based on real events, with captivating titles like "Leaves from my Log Book" by Flexible Grommet, a name that humorously reflects the challenges of handling a non-flexible grommet. Another piece, "The Order Book" by Jonathan Oldjunk, carries a name that evokes the idea of discarded items, raising curiosity about why someone would adopt such a moniker, especially later in life when one becomes more sensitive about physical ailments. Yet, "old junk" can be repurposed, as Mr. Oldjunk's early adventures were transformed into a literary format that included romantic elements. Notably, the Earl of St. Vincent, when First Lord of the Admiralty, recognized a specific type of old junk—“shakings”—with a special order for its preservation, a detail that features in a humorous anecdote from Basil Hall's "Fragments of Voyages and Travels," showcasing the valuable recollections that would have otherwise been lost without this periodical.