- description
- # Sheet-Anchor-men
## Overview
This section, titled "Sheet-Anchor-men," is part of Chapter III of a larger work. It describes a specific group of experienced sailors on a man-of-war. The text focuses on their roles, characteristics, and the respect they command.
## Context
This section is extracted from the file `white_jacket.txt`, which is part of the `Melville Complete Works` collection. It follows an "Introduction" section and precedes "The After-guard" section within Chapter III, titled "CHAPTER III. A GLANCE AT THE PRINCIPAL DIVISIONS, INTO WHICH A MAN-OF-WAR’S CREW IS DIVIDED."
## Contents
The "Sheet-Anchor-men" are characterized as old, active sailors whose responsibilities include the forecastle, fore-yard, anchors, and sails on the bowsprit. They are described as weather-beaten veterans, often singing sea shanties and recounting tales of naval heroes like Decatur, Hull, and Bainbridge. The text emphasizes their resilience and experience, noting that even officers show them a degree of deference. They are depicted as "grim sea grenadiers" and "hearty old members of the Old Guard," whose seamanship is admired and learned from by younger midshipmen.
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- Sheet-Anchor-men
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- text
- Besides these topmen, who are always made up of active sailors, there
are Sheet-Anchor-men—old veterans all—whose place is on the forecastle;
the fore-yard, anchors, and all the sails on the bowsprit being under
their care.
They are an old weather-beaten set, culled from the most experienced
seamen on board. These are the fellows that sing you “_The Bay of
Biscay Oh!_” and “_Here a sheer hulk lies poor Torn Bowling!_” “_Cease,
rude Boreas, blustering railer!_” who, when ashore, at an eating-house,
call for a bowl of tar and a biscuit. These are the fellows who spin
interminable yarns about Decatur, Hull, and Bainbridge; and carry about
their persons bits of “Old Ironsides,” as Catholics do the wood of the
true cross. These are the fellows that some officers never pretend to
damn, however much they may anathematize others. These are the fellows
that it does your soul good to look at;—hearty old members of the Old
Guard; grim sea grenadiers, who, in tempest time, have lost many a
tarpaulin overboard. These are the fellows whose society some of the
youngster midshipmen much affect; from whom they learn their best
seamanship; and to whom they look up as veterans; if so be, that they
have any reverence in their souls, which is not the case with all
midshipmen.
- title
- Sheet-Anchor-men