THE SHIP ADOPTION SOCIETY

Any fears were soon put at rest. I was received with the greatest kindness both in my new and equally good billet, and in the pit itself. I was something of a curiosity, being the very first of my species to arrive at Bedlington, but with new arrivals each week, the novelty soon passed off.

My first day was spent on a tour round the pit in action, and during it I learnt more than four weeks of lectures and navvying had taught me. I realised at once that much of my training in Yorkshire had been wasted, for not only are the technical terms in Northumberland quite different, but conditions and methods of working and transporting the coal vary to a great extent in the two coalfields.

On the etcond day I was assigned to my job assisting a veteran of three years experience and seventeen years of age to manage a junction in the haulage roads, and I have remained at this job for the whole of the seven weeks I have now been in Bedlington.

It is not pleasant work, but it is far short of "hard labour." I am assured, in fact, that I have one of the best jobs in the pit.

Such is the life of a "Bevis-Boy." In comparison with that of a member of the Forces, it has its merits and demerits. It holds no glamour of uniform, no regular three monthly leaves, and very slight chances of promotion. But we have a home life with its undeniable advantages. We have regular and definite hours of work, and week-ends entirely free ; and we have a longer expectation of life But I'm

still looking forward to the Peace.

THE BRITISH SHIP ADOPTION SOCIETY.

Recently the School adopted a Norwegian merchant ship called the "Hestmanden." This does not mean that we have severed our long-standing link with Captain Rickard, but since he is at present on a special job abroad we are unable to maintain touch with him until he returns.

However, we had a great thrill during the term when Captain Karl Jentoft, the skipper of the "Hestmanden," with two members of his crew, came to the school. It was unlucky that his visit coincided with the absence of the day-boys from the Junior School, but at short notice the boarders gage him a lusty welcome. During the morning, Captain Jentoft made a tour of the Shell Forms in St. Peter's and all Forms in the Junior School, and soon endeared himself to everyone by the charm and patience with which he answered the many questions fired at him. His fears that his English would be inadequate proved unfounded ; and from the moment that he went round shaking hands with each boy in turn, his popularity was assured. He showed a zest for simple things which was strangely touching, and we shall remember for a long time his unaffected delight in a display of impromptu rugger by the Olavites.

Gunners Perry and Brown, British members of his crew, good-naturedly signed autographs until their hands ached, and acted as interpreters when questions upon whales, icebergs, floating-mines, sea-serpents, and the ship's cook caused lingual complications.

We must express out thanks to the whole crew of the "Hestmanden" for the large tin of chocolate bars which Captain Jentoft brought along with him.

This term we have formed a "Hestmanden" Club in the Junior School, which meets from time to time to further the interest of our school in the ship which we have so proudly adopted. Correspondence is dispatched at frequent intervals, and any boy in St. Peter's who feels he would like to write to the crew should hand his letter to Miss Qualtmugh. For the Junior School, a special letter-box has been placed just inside the main door, where all notices concerning the Society are to be found.

We hope it will not be long before Captain Jentoft and further members of his crew can visit us again. We send greetings to our newly-found Norwegian friends, and wish them the best of luck in the hazardous duties they daily undertake for us.