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BEP(F.742.008
21 Jun 1742:11 (359)
From the Gentleman's Magazine for March, 1742.
THE DUTCH METHOD OF MANNING FLEETS.
When there is a necessity in Holland to man a fleet, or a
single ship of war, it is left to every captain to procure
his complement of men; which he endeavours to do by beat of
drum, and thereby enlisting them into his service: And that
commander who is not able to mann his ship, is not suffered
to go out, but his ship is taken away from him, and the
command thereof given to one that can fit her out with her
proper complement; and every captain victuals his own ship.
The sailors who are in a maritime nation, the most
laborious and most useful people, are hereby left to their
own option whether they will enlist or not, and, if they
will, under what commander they will serve; a freedom of
choice that, if due to any, is surely the natural charter of
such a brave and profitable set of men. Every captain is,
by these means under an absolute necessity of behaving thro'
every action and every voyage, in such a manner as shall
render him beloved by his sailors; or, when he beats his
drum, it will be like ringing his own knell; it will be a
proclamation of his disgrace, and consequently the burial of
his reputation, when not a man is forward to enlist under
him. . . [2 more paras.]
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