Trinity College School - Record Yearbook (Port Hope, Ontario Canada)

Page 16 text:

14 TRINITY COLLEGE 531,095 RECOIED passed. just missing ahead. The ship's course was main- tained. and not a sign shown of the danger she had just passed through. Even though the track had been noticed. it was not to be expected that. at that time. a tramp could know what :1 torpedo track looked like. It was a great test for the discipline of the crew, and they stood up to it well. All remained quiet and kept on smoking and lounging about. although. if a second torpedo were launched. it would be sure to hit. A minute or two later the I'-boat came to the surface about S00 yards off and fired across the Farnborough's bows as a signal to stop. And stop she did with the panic party doing its job properly. but before the boats could be lowered. the submarine was using her gun and came dangerously near hitting the magazine. In a second the collier replied with her salvo of three 12-pounders. a maxim and rities. while the White Ensign broke out. The To Be If-boat at 800 yards was a small target, considering the collier had no range-finders, but the shooting was good, and she was hit several times before she could submerge. Full speed was the order to the place where she had submerged. There was nothing to show she had been destroyed. although she had been hit several times, so two depth-charges were dropped with the collier steaming her best. The result was instantaneous. The U-boat, or what was left of it. had been trying to rise and now came up almost perpendicular, scraping the collier as she passed. The damage was plain: there was a gaping rent in her bows in addition to her periscope having been shot awayg but the after-gun took no chances, and poured a couple more rounds into her at point-blank range, finish- ing her off. Except for oil and fragments of wood, she left nothing on the surface. Continued. .IOYS OF YOUTH For the same sentiments as are contained in this poem. though somewhat differently expressed. we recom- mend the Song of David in Browning's Saul and The Great Lover. by Rupert Brooke. Paraphrase of Pascal Bonetti's S0rtir. It's wonderful! I am alive. strong. young and feel an unsatisfied craving for all the pleasures of this earth. It's wonderful! I love everything, want everything and am certain to taste of all the pleasure of this world and greedily snatch at all the golden treasures of this iieeting day: the fragile beauty of fiowers: the passing caress. now of the blazing sun. now of the sleepy shade. prisoned between the fiashes of its masterg the intoxica- tion of running. leaping. wrestling. breaking the untried horse. sailing one's first boat. driving full-speed along the road: the pride of rushing towards the clouds on a frame of metal and flax: and not least the joy of true friendship. It's wonderful! To look at life thro' the eyes of friendship and see our way lit up by all that a cherished companion brings to one's journey thro' this world. It's wonderful! What a splendid thing to be young. strong. self-willed. master of my fate and know that to-morrow I shall have the whole world before me and be starting off into the unknown. Our first start! Is there any start better than one which takes one nearer and nearer to the sun. Any future to be compared with that of Jason. Hercules. Ulysses. Moses or Caesar? A start which can compare with that of those who make a slave of Fortune and whose life is one great fight for greater knowledge. Their real start! What a wonder for Columbus and Vasco da Gama and all those driven hard by dreams, inspired by God. for the crusaders' burning to convert the inlidel: for the soldiers braving the ocean to bring support to the lovers of Liberty: for the poets. apostles, martyrs. and all who are winging upwards. My first start! Just give me a horse or a car or an untamed boat. or far better still a Moth, whose wings will carry me. right to Heavens high vault. My real start! That is before nie! What does it matter where I go? It must be new land! And it must show a way to what is finer! ' -S. G. THE SMALL TOWN It was about dusk when the train slowed down -suffi- ciently to allow a fellow passenger and myself to disem- bark. Anxious to see what the town was like, I stood on the platform and gazed inquiringly about me. and eventually managed to discover the town just behind the freight shed. A taxi of sorts was waiting. Into this I jumped. followed by the other new arrival. Not wishing to cause any unpleasantness I offered to call another con- veyance for myself, but immediately realized the indis- cretion of my remark. What I mean by indiscretion is this: By displaying my ignorance of the fact that this was the only means of transportation in town I was branding myself as a stranger. If there is anythingil dislike it is to be mistaken for a stranger. Not that it is a rare occurrence, by any meansg for, invariably, within half an hour of arriving in any place for the first time, I am asked where the liquor store, or the Salvation Army Barracks is. In an abashed tone I am compelled to say! I am afraid I can't tell you. If they had had sufficient sense to wait only about fifteen minutes longer, I should have been able to tell them where one, at least, of these places was to be found. No, I do not like to be taken for a stranger. Briefly, it gives one a feeling of -, a feeling that t oh! well, not a really pleasant kind of feeling anyway. But this is beside the point. Only one thing annoys me more than to be mistaken for a stranger, and that is having to read something written by an individual who cannot stick to what he is writing about, if anything. I take it as a good indication that the Writer knows not the first thing about his subject. I am quite convinced on this last point, for, though there are few topics- upon which I am not qualified to say something, this is one in which I feel myself particularly qualified. I repeat, digression is indicative of ignorance. A person who knows his subject at all should be able to complete his discourse without turning up every by-path that comes in his way. Such a one is to be admired. The verbose writer who evades his subject should not be tolerated for a moment by the discriminating reader, and I for one will do my share in boycotting the works of this type of individual. ' But to return to the waiting taxi-I'm afraid it will have to keep on waiting, for the editor, who is really quite a decent sort, will allow me no more space, and I don't know much about small towns anyway. -HUGINN. . i 1 The reason why men who mind their own busi- ness succeed, is because they have so little competi- tion. It is all right occasionally to pat yourself upon the back. but don't get the notion that by so doing you are pushing yofurself forward. ,

Page 15 text:

TRINITY COLLEGE SCHOOL RECORD 133 X! ' , f! V '- A lx V fl ll vt Z!!! , r In Mmffj X N 1 ,ww I nffflfillf. LAN ly-iu 'I N-1' XT'-li 'mu' Ns TT'I'f'.3, Wlttu jr' V 'wil --1' l i V1 I ' ---fs - l X i - , 'rif- '5 f X 'T'Tgg,lll'lq X T Rx g g w. M. c. X jilitgstcrg ,Slaye- ABANDONING SHIP Besides training the crews in the handling of hidden armament and efiicient disguises, the skipper had to drill his men in a very important ruse, that of abandoning ship. The object of this. of course, was to bring the U-boat close to the ship and to the surface if possible, where she would be a fine mark. To add to the realism of the ruse a panic party. as it was called, was carefully drilled in leaving the ship in confusion, ostensibly aban- doning the ship to its fate. In rehearsing this, an alarm was sounded, which was to denote also whether the sub- marine was to port or starboard. Consequently, the crew who were to remain on board knew enough to pro- ceed to their stations by using the of side. Gun-crews moved to their stations entirely concealed from outside view by using alley-ways and trap-hatches. Now in the case of the ship's being shelled or hit by torpedoes, she was to be abandoned by the panic party, comprising between thirty and forty men, which was the plausible complement of the collier. On the signal all the loiterers on deck rushed to the boats. fol- lowed by a stream of panic-stricken crowds from the fo'c'sle and stokehold, with a fair representation from the bridge. One boat was usually let go with a run end up and to make the party complete one otiicer would exchange hats with the master, and leave the ship last with a parrot in its cage. Now the ship was to all intents and purposes deserted, but really every gun was manned, with a watch on the bridge and in the engine-room, and a signalman ready to break out the White Ensign. All observation from the bridge was done through slits in the screens, and changing from one side to the other the master crawled along the deck, leaving nothing to chance. The wireless operator in charge remained on the ship, while two juniors accompanied the panic party, and on no account had he to transmit an S. 0. S., if torpedoed, which would have brought naval vessels to the rescue, and therefore spoil all chance of the Loderer being a successful decoy. All this was carefully rehearsed at sea, with those on board lying low till open fire was given, but all the drill was done in the dark, in the dim- light of evening and before dawn. Target practice was more difiicult since it had to take-place in the light: but here chances had to be taken and an area was always selected which, according to Intelligence, was free of enemy submarines,-that is, as far as Intelligence could say. Long before the Loderer had been in action, there was a rumor abroad that somehow the enemy had got wind of her fitting out, so that on the masters suggestion the Admiral gave her the name of Farnborough, and the Loderer was reported as sunk. This of course gave some folks at home some anxiety which, of course, was soon allayed. However, it had its humorous side, for some of the crew had made the loss of the ship very realistic in their letters home, and, as a result, had new socks, jerseys, etc., sent by their sweethearts. Her training complete, the Farnborough was ordered from Plymouth to Queenstown. her base to be. There, in the determination to guard the secret ot' her identity. her crew openly abused Navy and sympathized with those who did. Playing the part of merchant mate. Lieutenant Beswick told an individual. trying to board. to go to Jericho. This was the C.-in-V. ot' Queenstown. Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, but his only remark afterwards was: Quite right: I like your ship. On her first day out on serious business. the Farn- borough sensed the danger of her undertaking. The air was alive with messages indicating the whereabouts of submarine activity and, in addition. a few S.O.S's. The south coast of Ireland seemed to be the happy hunt- ing grounds, and there they steamed with hope running high. At first nothing was encountered, but the mystery ship's routine went on with the usual seriousness: before sunrise, exercise panic party. after which watch and watch at the guns. cruising stations : then followed a strict daily routine till sunset. when preparations were made for changes in disguise. After sunset all hands on deck to alter appearance in one of the ways already described. Although at tirst not a sight was seen of a U-boat, the c1'uising was exciting. as from day to day it was a constant effort to meet one, whose position in her last appearance we had by wireless. This went on for days till the ship ran out of bunker coal. but so anxious was the skipper to do something material that he filled up from his cargo sooner than return to base. The nearest thing at this time was a false alarm. when the order was given Helm over to ram. This was in the deceptive light of dusk when a low object was sighted. which turned out to be a patrol sloop. Naturally. she asked questions. but was apparently put off with the signals: Helm jammed : nevertheless she kept follow- ing the Farnborough, which ultimately had to explain in wireless code. Thereafter. the skipper sent out mes- sages to his owner giving position and time due Liver- pool, but still no luck. At last. March 22nd, 1916. while they were steering up the west coast. at daylight. a collier flying no colors. a submarine was sighted awash, which soon submerged. Nothing could be done except steam on as though she had not been seen and hope that she had seen us. The men had already gone to action stations on the tirst alarm of a suspicious object, guns were loaded. the bridge watch alive to the enemy's first move, but on deck A. Hfs and stokers off watch lounging about smoking. apparently very disinterested, and yet the next minute might see the .ship blown sky-high. The wait was interminable. yet may have been very short by the clock. Along came the torpedo at T a.m., and the Farnborough made no attempt to avoid it. Fortunately, the bubbles of the track showed it to have

Page 17 text:

TRINITQ' gcoi.Lif:Gif: scnooi. mcconp ip THE TALKING FILM The talking film is now an accomplished fact. lt has shown itself a far greater success than most peo- ple would have expected five years ago and therc is every reason to expect that it will he better still. lt is, of course, the most important innovation that has oc- curred in the film world since its first beginning, and all sorts of speculations are being made about its ef- fect on films and stage plays. lVIr. Frederick Lonsdale. one of the newer English playwrights, sees in the talk- ing film the turning of the tables on America and the new chance for Britain to catch up. He gives four reasons for this optimistic view. To begin with, he says, we speak the orthodox English that the Ameri- cans themselves seem to prefer. Secondly, we have the best dramatists in the world and they will all find them- selves writing before long for the talking filrns. Third- ly we have more than our share ofthe best actors, and possibly. actresses. Lastly, we have, in addition to some of the most charming and exquisite scenery in the world, all sorts of historic architectural backgrounds which in America can only be reproduced unsatisfact- orily at enormous expense. Now we doubt very much whether lllr. Lonsdale knows what he is talking about. It is most unlikely that the mass of American movie fans do prefer the orthodox English. Americans might equally well assume from the popularity in London of Broadway and other American plays that the Eng'- lish preferred the American pronounciation to their own. They would be wrong of course. To a certain number of theatre goers the American language is a curiosity, but not to the movie-going masses. They can- not understand itg nor could the American movie fan understand the orthodox English. Probably there are few people outside Britain who would prefer a British film for this reason. Of the excellence of British dramatists l know nothing, but here again I think the ordinary movie go- er might disagree with Mr. Lonsdale about which dramatists are excellent. About actors and actresses, Mr. Lonsdale has more to say. The Hollywood beauty actors and actresses will soon be as dead as the third and fourth rate touring companies whomthe talking films will sup- plant. 'i 1' if The majority will find that a pretty profile and shapely legs no longer atone for a Bowery accent or a voice that simply does not get over at all. If Mr. Lonsdale really thinks this he knows nothing of human nature, and it is he, not Hollywood, who has the lesson to learn. He will find that with the masses a pretty profile and shapely legs will atone for anything. With regard to his fourth claim, for British super- iority in natural scenery and settings, we would not deny the truth of what he says so far as it goes. But there are some films, such as the ever-popular cowboy drama, in which American scenery is superior to ours. Besides, light is still as important a factor as it was be- fore, and in this America has a natural advantage which more than balances the advantages which Mr. Lonsdale quotes on our side. In fact the tendency is to overrate the advantages of the talking over the silent films. For many films, rnusic is a better accompaniment than words. The talk- ing has got to be very good to help the film along as well as a good orchestra helps it, and to some of us the great attraction of the movie is that it is a rest from the human voice, which we all hear too often. It would seem from this that the talking film may affect the stage more than the screen. It has certain obvious ad- vantages over the stage, though it is one degree less leal. lt is quite likely that nielodranla will tl'ansfer it- self entirely to the talking film, where llorsc-races, Illn- tor slnashes and fights can lie so well pre.-cntcd. Any play, on the other hand, in which the interest of the words outweighs that of the action and scenery, will still he better presented on the stage, and this may lead to lag improvements in the dialogue ol plays. Vtfe can hope that more plays will now he acted in the open, as this is one way in which they can resist the encroachment of the talking film. t'liangcalil-- weather is of course a bar to outdoor plays, hut. 'tak- ing into consideration the improvements in quick and easy transport, it is quite reasonable to expect that 'tht- theatre of the future will be run as follows. Instead of a hall in the centre ofa large city, let us imagine an en- closure some miles out with a house iust like the phea- tre of the present day and also a semicircular outdoor stadium enclosing a space about half the size of a football ground, or a little less. Such a theatre would be equipped for all weathers, and the spectators would have to take their chance whether they saw the per- formance out of doors or indoors. That would depend on the weather. The g1'eater expense of the outfit would be made up for by the fact that for such a site a theatre would not have to pay the enormous rent which most of them pay now for their central position. There is a certain type of play which must be acted in- doors, but we can rely on the great ingenuity of mod- e1'n producers to overcome small difficulties. This is only a suggestion of the lines which the future develop- ment of the theatre may follow. There have lately been many tentative efforts to restore the drama to its original setting, the open air. All such atteinpts as I have seen have been very successful and have convinc- ed me that the theatres could not make a better move to meet their present emergency. So let us hope that the arrival of the talking film will not ruin the people who have been trying to amuse us up to now, but urge them on to great improvements. We cannot share Mr. Lonsdale's apparent satisfaction at the prospect of so many people losing employment. Nor will most people be pleased to see actors and other people connected with the theatre suffering from the change. For they are a people mightily beloved as Sanco Panza has reminded us, and as they are merry fellows and give pleasure, all people favour them. -Polyphemus. WIT AND WISDOM. Did you ever notice that motion accounts for two-thirds of promotion '? Do right and fear no man : Don't write. and fear no woman. The 1'oad to success would have more travellers if so many were not lost attempting to find short cuts. You buy a man's labour, but must cultivate his good-will. A man will sometimes own himself wrong. but a woman never does-she is always mistaken. Honour thy Father and Mother, but not strangers' cheques.