- description
- # CHAPTER XXI. ONE REASON WHY MEN-OF-WAR’S MEN ARE, GENERALLY, SHORT-LIVED.
## Overview
This is Chapter XXI, titled "ONE REASON WHY MEN-OF-WAR’S MEN ARE, GENERALLY, SHORT-LIVED," from Herman Melville's novel [White-Jacket](arke:01KG8AJ89Z18FKVJV5H0488ZAZ). It spans lines 3194 to 3304 of the source text.
## Context
This chapter is part of the novel [White-Jacket](arke:01KG8AJ89Z18FKVJV5H0488ZAZ), which is included in the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The text was extracted from the digital file [white_jacket.txt](arke:01KG89J19NC56FFGBCM2SWEZZY). It follows [CHAPTER XX.](arke:01KG8AJQSBXZB97M7AAVAG7A5J) and precedes [CHAPTER XXII. WASH-DAY AND HOUSE-CLEANING IN A MAN-OF-WAR.](arke:01KG8AJQSQQZXV8JE55Y1C2VK6).
## Contents
Chapter XXI discusses the severe lack of sleep experienced by common sailors on a man-of-war, particularly during long voyages and harsh weather conditions like those encountered off Cape Horn. The narrative highlights the rigid regulations preventing sailors from accessing their hammocks during the day, even after arduous night watches. It contrasts the officers' comfortable sleeping arrangements with the common seamen's struggle to find a dry, warm place to rest, often resorting to "close stowing" with fellow sailors on wet decks. The chapter argues that this systemic deprivation of rest contributes to the short lifespan of men-of-war's men and calls for congressional intervention to guarantee basic health and comfort for sailors, rather than leaving it to the discretion of commanders.
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- CHAPTER XXI. ONE REASON WHY MEN-OF-WAR’S MEN ARE, GENERALLY, SHORT-LIVED.
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- 3304
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- title
- CHAPTER XXI. ONE REASON WHY MEN-OF-WAR’S MEN ARE, GENERALLY, SHORT-LIVED.