Sunday, December 28, 2008

Quote of the Day

Rather than order, the prevention of disorder was the essence of naval life. Written Admiralty instructions required the boatswain and his mates on each ship "to be diligent . . . and see . . . that the working of the ship be performed with as little noise and confusion as possible." The ship, in fact, is to be worked in silence or near silence. The repeating of orders was thought to be a symptom of slightly inadequate management.

- Adam Nicolson, Seize the Fire: Heroism, Duty, and the Battle of Trafalgar

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