Scanty Early Records—Practice v. Precept—Officers v. Cadets—Presumptuous Juniors—A Close Match—Football—Penalty of Punning—A Decisive Victory—A Demon Bowler—Two Curious Innings—Sports and Regatta—The Rushworth Seal—The Editor is Sarcastic—His Feelings are Soured—An Excited Timekeeper—Why Williams Didn’t Win—The Pro’s Average—Teignbridge Victorious and Vanquished—W.G.’s Eleven—Some Fatherly Advice—The Editor is Appeased—A Close Sculling Match—Foreign Football Matches—A Dry Cricket Season—The Editor and the Beagles—Lord Harris’s Maxims—The Bold Sir Bedivel—Big Third Eleven Scores—Seventeen Years’ Athletics—Huddart Shows the Way—The Editor on “Stodge”—A Hot Run for the “Footmen”—Youthful Boxers—Glasgow to the Rescue—An Afternoon’s Cricket—Splendid Playing Fields—And Plenty of Cricket—Teignbridge’s Small Score—Britannia Wins All Round—Third Eleven Makes a Record—A Question of Time—Keep Your Ground Clock Right—Remarkable Results of the Season—Money Well Spent.

IN this chapter will be included not only cricket and football, but some account of regattas, athletic sports, etc.

Unfortunately, records are not available very far back, as a regular account is only to be obtained from the Britannia Magazine, which was started in 1884. There were cricket matches inserted in the local papers, as referred to in the opening article in the magazine, in which also it is hinted that they were not always very accurate.

That the Britannia boys and their officers have for many years been very keen about games is, however, an undoubted fact; and the formation and subsequent improvement of the playing fields at Dartmouth has afforded them every opportunity for indulging their taste in this respect. Portland was, of course, a wretched place all round, for games or any other purpose: you might arrange a football match, and find that the weather did not admit of landing, nor were prohibitory gales by any means unknown even in summer. Since those days, also, there has been a great deal more attention paid to these matters in all schools, except perhaps in the chief public schools, where they have always been pursued with some system.

In 1874, as has been seen, the cadets’ professional was called before the Admiralty committee to give his views as to the physique and capabilities of the cadets at cricket, and it was there stated that they took a great interest in the game, and were frequently victorious against school elevens of older boys.

In those matches, also, in which they play “full strength,” with the “pro.” and officers, there appear invariably to have been some among the latter who were exceptionally good, sometimes nearly the whole eleven being made up of them. It may be that a certain prowess in athletics is taken into account at the Admiralty among the qualifications of a lieutenant or instructor for appointment to the Britannia; it is certainly worth considering, and should turn the scale between two officers, cÆteris paribus. Boys are all subject to seasons of slackness, and do not moreover always realise the value of games in promoting the mens sana in corpore sano, and the importance of the advice and co-operation of their superiors in these matters can scarcely be overrated. A little practice is worth a ton of precept, and when the lads find that the lieutenant who inspects them at divisions, the instructor who teaches them spherical trigonometry, the doctor who physics them in the sick bay, or the paymaster who sends in the account to their parents are well able to take a bat and show them how to play a fast “yorker,” or bowl them with a “break-back” on occasions, there is sure to be a far keener spirit about cricket than if they were left to themselves.

In all these branches there have been notable cricketers in the Britannia, nor must the Engineer officers be omitted—of whom more anon.

One of the earliest matches recorded in the magazine is Officers v. Cadets, on May 10th, 1884, of which the score is as follows:—

Lieutenant Thomas, who was a mighty batsman, magnanimously retired after making his century, or the juniors would have come off with a worse beating; he and Captain Bainbridge, it will be noticed, made 146 between them out of 165. Cadet Nugent appears to have been a deadly bowler, and had the assurance to bowl his captain for a “duck.” This feat, however, fades into insignificance compared with that of a stalwart midshipman in the Channel Squadron some years earlier who, with a tremendously hard square cut, knocked the Admiral off his legs at point, and sent him limping off the field!

Matches with various clubs and schools in the vicinity of Dartmouth recur, of course, many times: the balance of victories is greatly in favour of the Britannia. The professional Underwood, whose name appears so many times in the scoring sheet, was there for a long time, and did excellent service, both in coaching the cadets and in winning first eleven matches, frequently making a long score and taking his full share of wickets.

The following are some among the chief matches played in 1884:—

May 17.—Britannia v. Engineer Students: Britannia, 121; Engineers, 94. May 21.—Britannia v. Newton College:

Newton College, 93; Britannia, 119 (Cadet Bentinck on this occasion carried his bat through the innings for 38, Captain Bainbridge making 37).

May 24.—Britannia v. Mr. Denison’s Eleven:

Mr. Denison’s Eleven, 106; Britannia, 156 (Lieut. Thomas scored 95 not out).

On the Queen’s birthday “whole” there was a very close and exciting match against the Royal Naval College.

The College score was not a formidable one to face; but when the “pro” was out for 15 there was considerable anxiety. Lieut. Thomas, however, the other great “stand by,” was still to go in. When he was bowled for 13 there was consternation indeed. The College team were generous in the matters of extras, however, and the hundred went up amid shouts of applause, a glorious match being brought to a triumphant conclusion. May 31st, Britannia v. Plymouth Garrison:

Garrison, 65 (Captain Quill, 46); Britannia, 257 for seven wickets (Bentinck, 73, Lieut. Thomas, 62).

This was a great victory, as a Garrison team is usually pretty strong.

In addition to “foreign” matches, of which there was a full programme every season, a great deal of ingenuity was exercised in organising both cricket and football contests among the cadets: Port Watch v. Starboard; the Admirers of Cambridge v. Oxford; Over 5 ft. v. Under 5 ft.; Odd Classes v. Even Classes; Britannia v. Hindostan; to say nothing of the various matches between the terms.

No “foreign” football matches appear in the earlier numbers of the magazine, but a regular programme was instituted later on.

In a match on November 11th, 1884, Over 5 ft. v. Under 5 ft., the game was considered by the “cognoscenti” to be a hollow affair for the Overs. These heroes, however, received a lesson as to the folly of holding a foe too cheaply; for the Unders won by 7 goals to 0! The Overs, no doubt, got well chaffed about it; and the smaller boys must have played a very good game to win so easily.

Cambridge twice beat Oxford; the Third Term beat their seniors, the Fourth, by one “corner” only; while the Second Term beat the “News” by 6 goals to 1.

In the first match, Odd Classes v. Even, the Odds won by 2 goals and 1 “corner”; but the Evens turned the tables at the return match, winning by 11 goals 2 “corners” to 2 goals. (It is said that a cadet made some wretched jokes on this occasion; remarking that though the odds were against the Evens, they played even better than the Odds; that it was odd that they had not got even with them before, and so on. There is no saying what intricacies he might not have got entangled in, had not some of his comrades mercifully rolled him down a steep slope and sat on him; while a lieutenant who was told of it spoke darkly of “three days two” if he didn’t drop it. Sensitive minds cannot stand much of this sort of thing!) In 1884 the cricketing prospects were decidedly improved by the appointment of Mr. E.M. Tims, naval instructor, who has been there ever since, and is now chief. For many years he was a tower of strength to the eleven; but has now relinquished cricket, and is resting on his laurels, and urging on his juniors to further victories.

The cricket season of 1885 opened well, Britannia again beating Plymouth Garrison on May 6th; while a week later they scored a tremendous victory over Plymouth Cricket Club.

Britannia, 299; Underwood “came off” to admiration, scoring 156; he and Lieut. Thomas contributed 206 between them; moreover, there was quite a record in extras—no less than 31. Plymouth went in against this formidable total, and only succeeded in obtaining 87.

May 16th, Britannia v. Torquay:

Britannia, 153 (Mr. Tims 40, Lieut. Thomas 32); Torquay, 54; a very solid victory. But nemesis ensued, for on June 14th Torquay made 167 against Britannia’s 37; they brought on a deadly fast bowler, who wrought havoc in the “timber yard,” and established a funk, taking six wickets for 12 runs.

June 17th. Britannia played the Royal Marines, who can usually get a good team together; however, Britannia’s star was again in the ascendant, their side scoring 184 (Underwood 55, Lieut. Thomas 32), against the Royal Marines’ 117.

Lieut. Thomas got out in rather a curious fashion: he had a man to run for him, and, being non-striker, was out “in the country” near the umpire. The striker drove a ball back hard along the ground; it was diverted by a fieldsman (who made a grab at it) and hit the opposite wicket; the “runner” was out of his ground, of course. It is an extraordinary thing that if you have a man to run for you, you are almost certain to be run out. He may have the very best intentions, and be a perfect sprinter between the wickets; no matter, he is sure to be out of his ground when the wicket goes down.

In a match against the Engineer students in July, 1885, each played rather a remarkable innings. Britannia went in first, and only scored 80, of which the “pro” made just three-fourths, leaving an average of two runs apiece among the remainder of the eleven. The Engineers, however, were not going to be out-classed in the matter of eccentricities; they scored 40 for two wickets, and were all out for 60!

Matches in the season of 1885 resulted as follows:—

Played, 17: Won 11, lost 2, drawn 4.

This is a good record, and by no means the only one of the kind, as will be seen.

We must, however, leave the achievements of the cricketers and the football teams for a little while, in order to notice some of the other competitions, which it has been considered advisable to include under the heading of “Games.”

It has been customary for a long time past to hold meetings as follows:—

The cadets’ regatta takes place in the autumn on a Wednesday or Saturday afternoon.

Sailing matches are also held between the sailing cutters—third and fourth term cadets only—in each term, in heats, as opportunity offers.

Athletic sports take place in the cricket field on a Wednesday or Saturday afternoon before the Easter vacation. An assault-at-arms is held in July and December.

A tennis tournament is held in the autumn term, and a racquet tournament in the summer term.

A swimming competition takes place at the end of the summer term.

Prizes are given for cricket: one for the best batting average, and one for bowling.

The beagle whips each receive a prize when passing out.

This is a goodly list; and a keen interest is taken in all, both by officers and cadets.

The regatta consists of pulling races only; the most important contest being that between representatives of the port and starboard watches, in twelve-oared cutters, for a silver cup, which is placed, after the regatta, on the port or starboard side of the messroom, according to the winning watch, and the other watch tries to shift it over next time. It changes hands with considerably greater frequency than the America Cup!

The other events in the regatta are as follows:—

Four-oared gigs (a race in each term).

Pair oars, with coxswains.

Single sculls.

Four-oared gigs for study classes, each crew being distinguished by the name of a master.

In connection with the single sculls there is a curious and unusual trophy, known as “The Rushworth Seal.” This is an old-fashioned gold seal, presented by the father of Mr. C.E. Rushworth, midshipman, who lost his life in a gallant attempt to save that of a seaman who fell overboard from H.M.S. Agincourt, in the Levant, in 1877. It is kept in the messroom, in a glass case, with a small model of a ship’s cutter, and is held by the winner of the single sculls for one year, thus serving to “keep green” the memory of the youthful hero, and stimulate others to do likewise.

The regatta has usually been an occasion upon which numerous guests are invited on board to witness the prowess of the cadets with the oar, and also to enjoy a little harmless recreation in the shape of dancing. The editor of the Britannia Magazine evidently considers that there is too little looking on and too much dissipation in the way of dancing and attending to fair guests.

The regatta of 1886 was held on a very bad day, the rain coming down heavily towards the end. The editorial remarks are a little bitter:—

“It is hoped that the next time the officers will have an opportunity of seeing some of the races, as they are naturally interested in the performances of the cadets. As at present arranged, we think that their hospitality to their many visitors must make them utterly unable to see a single race.”

And again:—

“Dancers had been driven by stress of weather from the poop to the middle deck, and were enjoying ‘Sir Roger’ when the drowned rats appeared.”

It does appear to be somewhat of an incongruity that the cadets should row races in pouring rain without the satisfaction of having their officers and the visitors in the “gallery”; but the editor does not see any improvement next year, and is down upon them savagely.

After referring in a somewhat caustic vein to the inevitable notice, “If Wednesday be wet, the regatta will be postponed until Saturday,” and the folly of holding a regatta on equinox day, he proceeds:—

“Let us for the future have the cadets’ regatta on August 12th, and then we shall have no doubt about it. There need be no cadets here: that will make little difference. A few blue boats can be set to row up and down, with crews from the shore, hired for the occasion. The officers of the ship will entertain the fair ones from the neighbourhood under a blazing sky, and the only difficulty will arise at the end, when the finish of the races usually brings an accession of strength to the dancing men, and ladies who have been without partners for too many dances find that the opportunity of a valse with a sailor, which they have looked forward to all the year, has failed them.

“It is not well to be cynical (!), but to row in hailstorms, and to make sport for spectators who do not look on, has soured our feelings, and we have only to look forward to our next regatta with hopes of better things.”

This is the editorial sledge-hammer with a vengeance, even the ladies who love to dance with sailors are not spared. The note of exclamation above is not the editor’s; it is merely inserted as an outlet for the feelings of the reader of this extract.

The athletic sports include the following events:—

Mile handicap.
Half-mile handicap (sometimes).
Quarter-mile handicap.
100 yards handicap.
Hurdle race.
Sack race.
Obstacle race (sometimes).
High jump.
Long jump.
Pole jump.
Throwing the cricket-ball.
Tug of war.

Most of the events are duplicated as “open,” or “under five feet,” so the programme is a long one.

In 1886 the open quarter-mile was run in 62 seconds, and the 100 yards in very good time. The editor of the Britannia Magazine says, however: “The 100 yards was won by Cadet Field, two others being almost neck and neck; the timekeeper was so excited that he gave the time as 10 seconds, which we have reason for doubting.”

It certainly seems a remarkable feat for lads like these, who do not presumably go in for very extensive training.

The high jump was 4 ft. 3¾ inches, which is not remarkable; and the long jump 15 ft. 2 ins.

Cadet Kennedy won the pole jump with 7 ft. 1 in., which is distinctly good; and the half-mile was won in 2 mins. 35 secs., Cadet Field, the winner of the 100 yards, who was scratch, just failing to carry it off.

The following curious editorial comment appears in reference to the long jump:—

“Sharp, jumping very well, won easily: Foord was second, a foot behind him. Williams would have won had he jumped further.”

There may be some sporting signification in this otherwise somewhat glaringly obvious statement; on the other hand, the editor, who found it necessary at times to be severe, may have been relaxing himself a little.

In the cricket season of 1886 nineteen matches were played, with results:

Won, 8; lost, 6; drawn, 5.

Not as good as 1885, but the season was remarkable for the tremendous average obtained by the professional: 100·9 for 18 innings; the next to him was 15·8! He made 174 not out against the Navy at Plymouth; Britannia scoring no less than 337 for 5 wickets, against their opponents’ 83.

In 1887, which was a remarkably fine summer, nearly every match came off, returns being played in several instances.

Underwood again showed great form, but he failed in the first match, against the Royal Marines; the cadets pulled off the match, however, scoring 68 against 53. These are small scores for such redoubtable teams, and the Marines determined that theirs, at least, should be larger in the return match, in which they reversed the former decision, scoring 197 to Britannia’s 81. This was largely due to the fine batting of Lieut. Rait, R.M.L.I., who took out his bat for 119.

The following was played on June 1st:—

Teignbridge are always dangerous opponents, and though the close of their innings was decidedly of a processional character, Sim won easily off his own bat. It will be noticed that Underwood and Mr. Tims made 54 for Britannia, the rest nowhere!

On the return, on July 6th, Teignbridge brought an almost totally different team; perhaps they discounted their adversaries too freely, but it may have been as good an eleven or better. At any rate Britannia administered a good beating:—

The second eleven played some matches, and came off successfully.

Result of the season in 1887:—

Played, 21: Won, 10; lost, 7; drawn, 4.

The season of 1888 was remarkably successful:—

Played, 17: Won, 12; lost, 1; drawn, 4.

There are not many schools that lose only one match out of seventeen in a season. For some reason, there are no scores inserted in the Britannia Magazine for this season; it is mentioned that Captain Bedford rendered good service with the bat on more than one occasion.

In 1889 there is again a lack of material for comment, the cricket number for this year having unfortunately been lost.

One very important event, however, has to be recorded.

On July 17th and 18th a two-day match was arranged against M.C.C. and Ground, and the team was captained by no less a person than “W.G.” himself. Unfortunately, he could not come down for the first day’s play; but let Mr. Grace speak for himself:—

15th September, 1903.

Dear Captain Statham,—In answer to your inquiries re my visit to the Britannia in 1889. My son, H.E. Grace, was not then on the Britannia, as he did not join until January, 1890. It was through Lieutenant Abdy, who had played with me at Lord’s, that I promised to play. Gloucestershire were playing the Gentlemen of Philadelphia at Bristol on the first day, and it was arranged that I should get down for the second day if I could not go for the first. As the match at Bristol was not over, I did not get to Dartmouth until late in the evening of the first day’s play. My friend Abdy was just leaving the Britannia, as he had been ordered off to the manoeuvres, so took no part in the second day’s cricket. Lieutenant de Robeck was deputed to look after me, which I need not say he did right well. You will see by the enclosed score that I was absent the first innings. After the match was over another was started, in which I took part. It ended in a draw. I remember the best form was shown by Abdy, de Robeck, Taylor, and Royds. Underwood, the professional coach, took the greatest interest in the cadets’ cricket, and did wonders for them, considering he had only had them under his charge for two years. I am sorry I do not recollect more details, but to go back fourteen years is a long time.

Believe me, yours truly,
W.G. Grace.

As will be seen by the score, Britannia had to follow on, scoring only 61 against 156. They did better in their “second venture” (as the “daily” cricket reporter hath it), but M.C.C. won easily by seven wickets.

In the second match M.C.C. went in first and declared at 118 for two wickets. “W.G.” made 48 before he was bowled by Mr. Taylor, hitting out of the ground several times: Chatterton, not out 57.

Britannia made 82 for nine wickets before time was called; Mr. Grace took seven of them.

In a local account of the match the reporter remarks ironically that the “cadets fielded very well,” which scarcely does the Britannia justice. Their second innings was not at all a bad performance against the bowling of Mycroft, Chatterton, and Grace, all of whom were accustomed to getting their share of wickets in first-class cricket.

Among other matches played during this season, there is a phenomenal one against Torquay, in which Britannia made over 200, and got Torquay out for 20. Britannia also beat Teignbridge by 89, and Plymouth by 157.

The editor gives some fatherly advice to cricket aspirants:

“The practice at the nets is not all that it should be; instead of trying to play with care and learning to defend the wicket, by far the greater number of cadets seem to think it is a good opportunity for a slog. By all means play the ball hard, but it is the ruin of any boy’s cricket when once he begins to slog at everything in practice.”

The bowlers are admonished for trying to bowl too fast and not keeping a good length; the fielding is “damned with faint praise,” and finally certain cadets “who take a delight in playing the fool” at the nets are recommended, in good plain English, to stay away. Very good advice: let us take our cricket seriously, by all means.

The regatta of 1890 came off with great Éclat; and as the editor has no disparaging remarks to make about the “gallery,” it may be concluded that his gentle insinuations on former occasions have produced the desired effect. There was a very close race for the Rushworth Seal in the single sculls, Cadet Prentis just pulling it off, probably because he was a trifle fresher than Withers, who unshipped a scull close to the finish, which is always likely to happen when a pumped-out sculler spurts; and though he recovered pluckily, it lost him the match.

Some “foreign” football matches are on record in the season 1890-91.

Rugby.

Blundell’s School, Tiverton, Britannia lost by 5 points.

Royal Naval Engineers’ College, a similar result.

Exeter Grammar School, Britannia lost by 3 goals to 1. Association was more successful:—

Against Paignton School, Britannia won, 5 goals to 1.

Return match, Britannia won 5 goals to 0.

Mannamead School won by 2 goals to 1.

The match with Plymouth was a draw.

Totnes Grammar School won by 5 goals to 0.

In the match against Torbay Football Club, as they were a heavier team than schoolboys, Lieutenant de Robeck and Dr. South played; and after an exciting game, Britannia won by 1 goal to 0.

“A Newcomer”—evidently an executive officer who had passed the Britannia in his youth—takes occasion to remark upon the vast improvement in the cricket of the cadets, and attributes this to the careful coaching of the professional. He says—“The form and confidence displayed now is quite different from that of twelve years ago. The bowling is much improved, but it is a bit wild at times, from the very mistaken idea of trying to bowl too fast, which is always prevalent among boys so young. The fielding is also very good, and quite up to the form of any of the public schools, who do not have such a difficult piece of ground to perform on.”

The year 1893, as many will remember, was remarkable for its long dry summer; indeed, the summer appeared to commence in April, and went right through to September, so that most cricket grounds—the Britannia’s included—were any colour you like except green.

It was naturally a season for batsmen, and Britannia made some long scores.

Against Exeter Grammar School they declared at 249 for 3 wickets; their opponents were perhaps tired by their leather-hunting, for they did not avail themselves of run-getting weather, being all out for 49. Mannamead School and Plymouth Cricket Club were also handsomely beaten, while South Devon, against Britannia’s 186 for 7 wickets, scored 116 for 9, and just managed to keep their end up until time was called: a moral victory for Britannia.

The second eleven won nearly all their matches: Paignton School were beaten by 203 to 74, and Montpelier School by 146 (for 7 wickets) to 32.

Cadets Begg and Backhouse had each a creditable bowling analysis, the former getting 26, and the latter 34 wickets for an average of under eight runs each.

The editor has something to say about following the beagles:—

“We must review the beagling season up to date (Christmas, 1893). As far as sport goes it has been satisfactory, but as far as the attendance of the cadets goes it has not. Now, why is this? We have heard that beagling is considered by some of the senior boys to be ‘bad form.’ Now, we ask you cadets who are sportsmen, are you to be choked off your sport because some big or senior boy—who may play football only, or is more probably a loafer, bred in a town with no knowledge of sport, poor chap—says, ‘Feign I beagling,’ or something of the sort?”

There appears to have been a sort of wave of slackness passing through the ship about that time, at least in regard to the winter games; but some brilliant work was done at cricket when the summer came round again—the last season in which the Britannia boys were to have the advantage of Underwood’s coaching.

Britannia (without the professional) declared at 173 for one wicket against Paignton, and got them out for 120. Against the Royal Marines—also without the professional—they had even more “up their sleeve,” for they made 274 against 68.

Lieutenant de Robeck made some big scores—114 against the Royal Marines, and 109, not out, against Newton Blues, a very strong team.

Matches, 1894: Won, 6; lost, 5; drawn, 5.

Some maxims of Lord Harris are here inserted in the magazine, for the benefit of the “young ideas”:—

“Don’t, when you are at the wicket, go through a variety of attitudes to show how you could play an imaginary pitched up or short ball, but be content with playing it correctly when it is bowled.”

“Don’t, when you have been bowled out, say it was the worst ball ever bowled; it detracts from your own merits.”

“Don’t, when you miss a catch, think to gain the sympathy of the audience by tearing your hair or grovelling in the dust; save another run by throwing the ball in as quickly as possible, and abase yourself in your own estimation as much as you please afterwards.”

It is Lord Harris also who gives the advice: “Don’t, when you give a chance off your glove, rub your elbow: it is not good form, and will not deceive an efficient umpire.”

With regard to the second paragraph quoted above, the crack bat of a very good club, who was addicted to finding some special reason for getting out, varied it on one occasion, when a “bailer” had him first ball. He put on a judicially satisfied air, and remarked in a loud and cheerful voice, “I’m not a bit ashamed! It was a splendid ball; might have bowled anyone: not a bit ashamed!”

In 1895 no fewer than 22 first eleven matches were played, with the following results:

Won, 13; lost, 7; drawn, 2 (both in Britannia’s favour).

The second eleven won 13 and lost 4; and the third eleven, playing “foreign” matches for the first time, won 3 and lost 1.

A great season this; certainly no school could hope to display greater keenness about cricket, and few would attain such a measure of success.

There was a great match against Mannamead School, in which only cadets played, on June 12th.

A fine example of even scoring—three in the forties and two in the thirties.

The hero of “cock’s score,” Cadet Bedwell, does not appear to have been put on to bowl, or, at any rate, he achieved no success; but in the following effusion he seems to be selected for distinction—perhaps in irony, being more of a bat than a bowler.

It is one of several which are contributed by a gifted correspondent of the Britannia Magazine, each in the style of a well-known poet; they are very clever imitations, and probably the author is not a cadet, though there is no saying, of course. It is scarcely necessary to name the poet whose style is here adopted:

This is an excellent piece of fooling, whoever wrote it, and should immortalise not only the writer, but Sir Bedivel also. There is a footnote appended in the original: “Probably the same who was afterwards called Bedivere,” which leaves a comical sort of uncertainty which way the anachronism works.

The cricket season of 1896 was marked by two remarkable performances of the third eleven, against Totnes School.

In the first match Britannia made 309, and won by an innings and 225 runs; in the return they made 405, winning by an innings and 220. This is what may be termed “making a holy show” of Totnes; and it argues also a very widely spread proficiency among the cadets, for, even paying both sides the poor compliment of assuming that Totnes were weak, an innings of 405 under any circumstances argues a capacity for batting which is most unusual in a school third eleven.

The first eleven played their two old rivals—Plymouth College and Mannamead School—amalgamated into one establishment; only cadets took part in the match, and they declared at 266 for six wickets, dismissing their opponents for 117.

The season’s record is an exemplary one:—

First eleven.—Won, 11; lost, 3; drawn, 2.
Second eleven.—Won, 11; lost, 4.

The Britannia games are never permitted to stand still—there is no such thing as finality recognised.

In 1893 a regular series of football matches was in full swing, both Rugby and Association being played.

The “Soccer” team won four out of five matches.

Twenty-five goals were thus scored for Britannia, and only nine against, which is an instructive method of regarding a football season.

At the regatta of 1896 a new event was introduced—Hindostan v. Britannia—two pinnaces competing, each crammed with cadets. This is a regular piece of marine buffoonery; of course, the oars are very much handicapped by the crowd, but, nevertheless, two or three hands manage to get hold of each oar, while the remainder make as much noise as possible. Britannia won, amid shouts of laughter.

The list of times, etc., in the various athletic competitions, extending over nearly 20 years, as set forth in the accompanying table, is very interesting. The mile record of 5 min. 8 sec. is discredited; but it was, undoubtedly, done in 5 min. 9½ sec. by Cadet Ward, in 1901, so perhaps the hero of 1893 has been wrongly deprived of his place. It is certainly astonishingly good time for a boy, if correct, the pace being nearly 11¾ miles an hour. In view of the doubt—possibly attributable, as on a former occasion, to the unduly excited condition of the timekeeper—the alternative record is held by Cadet Huddart, who subsequently won laurels on a sterner field, but did not, alas! survive to wear them. He was a midshipman in the Naval Brigade attached to Lord Methuen’s force, and in the assault at Graspan, leading his men under the deadly fire, he was hit repeatedly, but refused to fall out, until a mortal wound laid him low.

SEVENTEEN YEARS’ ATHLETICS.

The Association team has been uniformly more successful than Rugby; the following remarks of the editor on the subject of Rugby football appear to point to a possible explanation:—

“A most important item in football is ‘stodge.’ I have actually seen a fellow come out of the canteen to play a match—a match, mind you—with his mouth full of jam, or some mess or other. He wonders, after a time, why he is a bit off colour; thinks it’s the weather, or his boots. Mind, no stodge till the game is over.”

One might adopt the language of the sinister Custom House officer in “The Smuggler’s Leap”:—

“Your words are plain, though they’re somewhat rough!”

The marvel is that boys so frequently play a good game at “forward,” or make a long score at cricket, in spite of “stodge,” and that of the most wind-destroying character: they are, presumably, specially constructed in the interior at that age.

At Christmas, 1897, it is reported that Mrs. Curzon-Howe, the captain’s wife, presented a couple and a half of beagles to the pack, which then amounted to 17½ couples, with some puppies coming on. The beagles started a fox on one occasion, and ran it for nearly two hours. The distance is stated to have been fourteen miles; there is no mention of the number of “footmen” who kept with the hounds, but it must have been rather hot for them.

A new feature in 1897 was the introduction of hockey matches: Cadet Captains v. Ship; Officers v. Ship; Britannia v. Hindostan.

There is an assault-at-arms twice in the year—in July and December; the summer meeting is held in the fields, and great enthusiasm prevails.

Competitions take place at the horizontal bar, parallel bars, and other gymnastics, properly so called, including the “human pyramid”; a display with dumb bells; poles, etc.; and contests with gloves and fencing swords, which, of course, are by far the most popular, both with cadets and spectators.

The boys get a good grounding in the essential points of fencing and boxing, but to attain to any great degree of proficiency in either requires a good deal more time than can conveniently be devoted to it, and the boxing frequently has a strong spice of the “hammer and tongs” business about it. Still, there are some who shape very well; and, at any rate, a few systematic lessons will enable a lad to do something more than assume, like Mr. Pickwick, “a paralytic attitude,” which his friends confidently believed to be intended for a posture of defence.

Cricket continues to flourish, and a season in which Britannia should fail to win a majority of matches would be regarded as a sort of hideous dream. The editor of the Britannia Magazine would either pass it over in silence or dip his pen in gall and administer such a rating as would, in his editorial opinion, infallibly bring about a different result in the ensuing year; followed, no doubt, by a mild protest against cynicism!

These things do not happen, however, as the following figures will demonstrate:—

A very exciting match was played, in 1902, against Stratford-on-Avon Wanderers; Lord is the Britannia professional, a left-hander, and an artful dodger in the matter of an unexpected “break back.”

Britannia’s score was 101 at the fall of the eighth wicket; Cadet Whetham was bowled first ball—six runs still wanted when Glasgow came in. He had taken six wickets, and now he came to the rescue with the bat, and he and Mr. Royse, the chaplain, won the match by steady play at a critical moment.

To a lover of beautiful scenery and keen cricket, it would be difficult to find a more attractive spot than the Britannia cricket grounds on a fine half holiday. For the benefit of readers who have not enjoyed the privilege of being present on such an occasion, let us pay a visit in spirit to the Britannia on a certain Saturday during the summer of 1903; a perfect day, which would have been too hot but for a light westerly breeze with never a touch of chill in it.

The cadets’ dinner is at noon on Saturday, and by 1.30 there is scarcely a boy left on board the ship. Some are away in boats or sailing cutters, some are off for a walk, others to visit friends in the neighbourhood, and so on; but we must follow the large contingent which makes its way to the cricket grounds. Landing at the solid stone pier abreast the ship, we cross the asphalt tennis courts, and mount the concrete steps in the far right-hand corner. There are many of these steps, intercepted by level landings, and winding up the hillside past the racquet courts, all overshadowed by trees, which lend a welcome shade, but do not prevent one getting pretty hot during the ascent. At length the last flight is surmounted, and a broad, well-kept path, still under trees, leads on past the beagle kennels, where a loud and inquisitive chorus greets a stranger, to the lower ground. Play is already in progress, so we dutifully keep to the right behind the white screen, and passing across the end of the cricket ground, mount to the upper ground, which is separated from the lower one by a steep grassy bank some 12 or 15 feet high, with several flights of stone steps. Here, standing by the edge of the bank, you can see both grounds to advantage. On the far side is the pavilion, a long bungalow, with an elevated scoring-box in the centre; and here are spacious dressing-rooms, a canteen, where excellent “stodge” may be obtained at the most moderate charges, and a large amount of sitting accommodation for onlookers. A large tent to the left contains tea and refreshments for the officers and their friends. The view is magnificent in every direction, and the full benefit of the summer breeze is felt at this elevation.

Furthermore, there is a great deal of cricket going on; the first and third elevens are playing matches on the lower, and the second eleven on the upper ground; and there is plenty of room for a couple of picked sides to play in addition.

Anticipating a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in such surroundings, we take up a commanding position on a seat overlooking the first eleven pitch.

The match is against Teignbridge, who always play a strong team, including several county players; so Britannia naturally does all she knows, and her eleven only contains two cadets, while the “pro” is included as a matter of course. The remaining eight comprises two lieutenants, two Engineer lieutenants, the paymaster, the science master—whose science is not confined to the lecture room—the chaplain, and one of the doctors.

The “foreigners” have first knock, and are not doing as well as their strength would lead one to expect. Already several wickets are down, and the score is small. The deliveries of Lord, the professional, and Mr. Warner, the science master, are evidently too much for the batsmen. The fielding, moreover, is very keen; quite up to the mark.

The boundaries are liberal, especially on the north and north-east; indeed, the former looks well worth five runs.

There goes their crack player! Bowled by Lord for a “duck.” This is an extremely good riddance, for he is a doughty bat; a left hander, with a strong defence, and a dangerous capacity for scoring if he once gets set.

Two more wickets in rapid succession, both to the science master; and the end comes with surprising rapidity.

The first lieutenant, his many-coloured blazer showing up to advantage in the strong sunlight, comes along with a joyous countenance. “Lucky! got ’em out for 59; strong team, too!”

Very lucky: and not all luck, either. Being, of course, strong partisans of Britannia, we rejoice with him, and hope his side will be in form with the bat.

The “gallery” is mustering rapidly. Nearly all the officers of the ship are on the ground; the captain strolls up, with two or three children and a happy dog; officers’ wives, and outside friends, make a goodly show on the seats along the terrace, half-way down the bank.

Time for Britannia to go in, and Engineer Lieutenants Benn and Smith are deputed to open the ball. Athletics, as is well known, are by no means neglected at the Engineers’ Training College; and these two gentlemen, whose duty it is to look after the engines of the tenders attached to the Britannia, and initiate the cadets into the mysteries of steam, are well able also to show them a wrinkle or two in handling the willow.

The bowling starts well. Looking at the pitch, in nautical parlance, “broadside on,” one is able to see what a good length the left hander keeps: shoots unpleasantly, too, at times, so that you have to be wide awake to get down on them.

These two are bad men to bowl at, though; they “keep their hair on,” watching the ball keenly, and contenting themselves at first with a snick or two through the slips, or a “pull” of moderate dimensions. But the left hander is beginning to lose his length a little, and pitches them up; so the batsmen may get a chance of “opening their shoulders.”

Lieutenant Benn faces him for a fresh over. Ah! there is one well pitched up: he won’t let that off! Not he: a lovely off-drive, going at a tremendous pace, all along the ground, just outside mid-off, who makes a wild grab, but fails to reach it. Away it goes, the man behind the bowler tearing after it, without the remotest chance of catching it, until the little dark speck disappears from view over the gentle slope on the northern boundary. Really now, anyone, “W.G.” or “C.B.” included, might be proud of that drive: and there are several more of the same kind to follow, though the foe discounts them by putting a man there.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Smith is not idle; he is not as fierce a driver as his companion, but his wrist play through the slips is delightfully clean and well timed.

The opponents’ score is passed long since, and still no wicket. Ah! there is one at last. Lieutenant Benn is caught, for an innings of 69, thoroughly well played: and the score is 117 for one wicket; very good business!

Lieutenant de Burgh, of whom great things are usually expected, is bowled by a shooter from the left hander; Lieutenant Smith is caught for a capital innings of 46; Cadets Sparling and Beal show nice form with the bat, the latter scoring 17; then Dr. Bobardt and the “pro” get together and play out time. The doctor is a left hander, and smites very hard when he gets his opportunity; mid-on has occasion to wring his fingers and inspect them dubiously more than once, testifying mutely to the vigour of the doctor’s drives—or, possibly, not mutely; but his remarks are not audible to the gallery.

Total, for six wickets, 214; and of course, being a one day match, it was in reality a victory by ten wickets, Dr. Bobardt and Lord taking out their bats for 47 and 20 respectively.

And what about the second eleven? They are playing Montpelier School; Lieutenant Chetwode plays with them, as a set off against the master on the other side, who is a very big man and a very keen cricketer.

Britannia bats first, and does very creditably: Powell 49, Cull 44, Ling 25, Nicholson 22, and no ducks; “extras” comes out with an unusually long score, 22; total, 221. Towards the end of the innings Montpelier’s bowling was very slack, and Cadet Powell displayed good capacity for availing himself of it, repeatedly getting boundaries away to the bank under the trees on the west side; big leg hits, well timed.

The School would have come off badly, indeed, without their master, who went in first wicket down and scored 91; no one was able to keep him company very long, and it looked like a certain victory for Britannia when the ninth wicket fell with some time to spare. However, the last two men kept their ends up, and the result was a draw, greatly in Britannia’s favour, the School score having only reached 168. The third eleven had a similar experience against King Edward School, but the “morality” of the victory was much more pronounced, Britannia scoring 283 to their opponents’ 60 for nine wickets; obviously, a declaration at 200 or so would have been sounder tactics.

Cadet Scott scored in this match 104; and he and Cadet Alexander did some remarkable scoring together, actually compiling 103 runs off the first nine overs! An average of over 11 runs an over; rather demoralising for the bowlers!

Well, this delightful afternoon is over, all too soon; “time” is called all round, and soon there is a general exodus from the fields, cadets and officers streaming off in groups down the steps, discussing the play in enthusiastic fashion; and so off to the ship, happy and hungry, in spite of the “stodge” in the pavilion.

During a first eleven match this season a curious misunderstanding occurred. It was a “full strength” game, and Britannia, going in first, scored freely, declaring at 244 for eight wickets. There was time to dispose of the other side, with good luck, but not too much; and of course their policy was to play for a draw.

However, they began to go out pretty fast towards the close, and with about a quarter of an hour left the ninth wicket fell. The last man came in, and after a couple of overs the visitors’ umpire announced, as he came up to the wicket, “Last over.” Everyone who had a watch on looked at it, and saw that it was only 6.20; the large clock fixed on the base of the flagstaff in the corner of the ground, however, said 6.30 within a minute or so. The over was bowled, with no result, and the aforesaid umpire calmly took the bails off, and walked off the ground.

Then there was a row. Britannia’s captain pointed out that the clock was wrong, and that there was nearly ten minutes more play; the umpire maintained that they were bound to go by the ground clock, and was not at all sporting about it. Britannia’s captain, being a man in authority, gave him a good slice of his naval executive mind, but the umpire was stubborn, and time was fleeting. Luckily, however, the visitors’ captain, who was changing in the pavilion, was a sportsman of different kidney; and he immediately decreed, upon being appealed to, that, time or no time, the innings should be played out. So the recalcitrant umpire, and the batsmen, who had taken off their pads, had to come back again, and one of them was so long about it that the bowler did not realise that he had not arrived until he had commenced his run, and found that he was attacking an empty wicket! So, amid some merriment, the batsman at length got fixed up, and a few balls sufficed to decide the match, the last man being dismissed, just on the stroke of time, by a clever catch in the slips.

Moral: Have your ground clock kept right.

The season of 1903 has been a most successful one, as the following figures testify:—

First eleven.—Played, 19: won, 15; drawn, 3; lost, 0 (one abandoned).
Second eleven.—Played, 22: won, 14; lost, 7; drawn, 1.
Third eleven.—Played, 12: won, 9; lost, 1; drawn, 2.

In addition to the remarkable performance of two cadets in a third eleven match, mentioned above, it is on record that Dr. Bobardt on one occasion scored 39 runs off two consecutive overs; that Lieutenant de Burgh made what is believed to be the record score for Britannia of 229 not out (he also scored on another occasion 177 not out); and, the bowlers being determined not to be left out in the cold, the “hat trick” has been performed five times, the Rev. H. Royse, the chaplain, doing it twice.

Enough has been said, perhaps, about the games to indicate what an important place they are assigned in the general programme of the Britannia, and with what keenness and uniform success they are pursued. As the editor remarks, in the opening number of the magazine, no school has such a variety of fixtures; “we want a whole Bell’s Life to ourselves,” he says.

The playing fields could scarcely be surpassed, one would imagine: a good idea of their extent and quality and also of the amount of work entailed in their construction may be obtained from the illustrations. That high bank which separates the two cricket grounds, and the smaller one at the further side of the upper ground, mean a lot of navvies’ work; but no expense or trouble has been spared in the matter, the Admiralty possibly holding the view that if, as was said by a great soldier, British military victories are won on the playing fields at Eton, they are not going to give the Navy any excuse for not winning victories on the score of inefficient playing fields! Certainly, money so expended is money well spent. Since the early days of the Britannia a complete revolution has taken place in the matter of recognised recreation for both soldiers and sailors—officers and men. Formerly they had to do as best they could, by private subscriptions, both for indoor and outdoor games; now a large sum is voted annually for the purpose, and the Britannia games and playing fields bear witness that the Admiralty is not behind the times in this respect.