Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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15 cold, hence, the next item on the programme — tea — was most wel- come. The Rifles then performed the ceremonies of ' Guard Mounting ' and ' Beating the Rdtreat ' and our visit was ended iby Colonel Sankey giving a short talk on the origin of ' Beating the Retreat ' . We are most grateful to Colonel Sankey for a most pleasant and instructive visit. The Pipe and Drum Band continues to impr,ove with most of its members being drawn from Saltus. Under the capable guidance of the instrudtors, Mr. Horlington, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Stewart, the Band ' s repertoire as well as the quality ,of its performance have in- creased considerably. The instructors are to be congratulated upon the excellent progress made by the members of the Band and we offer them our sincere thanks for giving their time and talents. H. J. H. The Chess Club The Chess Club started with just a few enthusiasts who met in the D teiiition Room during the lunch hour to play chess. This em- bryo club was eispecially fortunate in the interest aroused for it, and itaken in it, by other chess-playing members of the staff, in particular Mr. Lester and Mr. Brookfield. This interest is still spreading through the scho ol, and has so far brought the club membership to above twenty. In the Easter Term theise athletes of the mind participated in a Knock Out Competition, in which E. R. Towle gained the title of School Chess Champion for this inaugural year of the club s activities. Let it be mentioned, ' en paslsant ' , — to use a term familiar to all chess players — that at the time of writing another series of matches is be- ing played for the School House Championship in chess. We look for- ward to welcoming all who play chess or wish to learn. COMMITTEE M. S. Brewer (Secretary),, E. R. Tov le, A. D. Frith, J. A. Gillan H. S. An Exciting Experience It was a warm summer ' s morning when the Reina del Paciflco sailed for the Atlantic. I was up on deck at the time taking my last look at Bermuda for three months. It was then, however, that the

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14 This house believes that the introduction of motor driven vehicles has not proved to be in the best interests of Bermuda. Prop« ser: Saul Opposer: Scupham Third: Mr. A. Trimingham Fourth: Mr. John Gilbert The debate was also attended by other members oif fthe Saltus Old Boysj Association: Mr. C. Pearman-Wilson and Mr. J, Callis .both spoke. The motion was rejeoted. OFFICERS FOR THE SEASON 1957-8. President Mr. J. C. Lester Secretary P. S. Scupham COMMITTEE M. S. Brewer J. Gillan B. R. Hall H. B. Hallet D. Saul P. S. Scupham Cadet Notes The strength of the Saltus Company remains fairly constant be- tween 50 and 6G cadets and weekly parades have been held on Tues- days. These parades are used for Squad drill, weapon training, some films, and a small amooint of arms drill. The Annual Camp last July was well attended. During this six day period, each cadet fired a short course both with the rifle and bren gun, attended lectures on map reading which were finalised by a platoon competition in a map reading. Special days included a visit to Kindley Air Force Base when we learned a great deal ab )ut hurricane hun ' ting but ' through technical difficulties beyond control ' we were disappointed in not having the promised flight over Bermuda. On Visitors ' Day the Guard Mounting coniipetition and the father and son shooting contest took place. On the last night in camp a varied programme of drills and comedy was presented before a good number of visitors. The evening ended with the presentation of trrphies and a march past of the whole Corps with Mr. S. S. Tcddings, the chair- man of the Local Forces Board taking the salute. In February of this year at the invitation of Colonel R. W. San- key A Coy. Cadets visited Warwick Camp while the Bermuda Rifles were undergoing their annual training. The afternoon began with a visit to a barrack room and no doubt some useful tips in tidiness were picked up by the cadets. This was followed by demonstrations by the Rifles i» various field formaitions, after hich each cadet fired 5 rounds With the rifle on the 100 yards range. The weather was extremely

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16 accident occurred. I happened to ask my mother where the reefs were and she told me that we were miles past them. Immediately the ship banked upwards and rolled on its side. There was a chrunch- ing noise, and we settled at a thirty degree angle. People from all sides came wondering what had happened. We all hustled to our life- boat statioins, waiting for further instructions. Rum|Ours began to fly; some said that the Reina was holed and we were sinking fast. Looking over the starboard rail, we could see the water churned up, and when it finally cleared we could see the sharp coral rocks s ticking out ab ove the surface. Within ten minutes a Navy Patrol Plane flew low over the ship to investigate fthe situation, as an S.O.S. had been sent out. Mean- while SjOme of the crew were busy depth-sounding with chains down holes in the decks to see how much water we had shipped. We all stayed on deck just in case; none of us dared to venture down the three flights of stairs t,o our cabins. Help was not long in coming, and a diver was sent under the ship, and we watched his progress from the desks. Later in the day two tugs arrived on the scene to attempt tp pull us off the rocks ; but we were a heavy load and many ropes were snapped in vain. All this time swarms of sightseers were coming out in boats to visit us and to wish us luck. There we lay, stranded right opposite our own djoorsteps, but there was a six mile stretch of water in between. Ait last we were told on the loud-speaker that in spite of all the rumours flying around about we would all eventually be saved. By this time we were quite enjoying the fun. That nigbt we had a good night ' s sport ca|tching sharks, — some of them were whopping speci- mens. Some of us let down meat-ho-oks with a chain line which we borrowed from the galley, to catch them. One man used a rifle on them. Ch,eers went up as the first shark was hauled aboard. Next day new attempts were made 1p haul us off the rocks but still without success. On the third day we were allowed tjo go ashore where we watched the proceedings. Finally their effiorts v ere rewarded and the Reina once again floated free. We were able to continue our voyage to England with some fur- ther adventures, but that is another story. P. J. FAROE, Form 4L. ■oOo-