Two of our greatest generals to-day began their careers as sailors.
Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood won his Victoria Cross as a midshipman
in the Royal Navy while serving in the Crimea. Field-Marshal Viscount
French, late Commander-in-Chief of our Forces in France and Flanders,
was a sailor before he joined the Army, and so was Sir Hamilton
Goold-Adams, who commanded the Town Guard so well in Mafeking.
I have always found that a Boy Scout who has been a Sea Scout as well
as a Backwoods Scout makes much the best all-round Scout in the end.
So I can well advise Scouts to have a taste of both.
A patrol or troop can easily take up Sea Scouting for one season if
they like, just as a change. But, of course, it means that each one of
them must learn swimming first, if he is not already a swimmer, and
must know his knots really well, for actual use, and not merely for
passing test examinations.
It is well worth the trouble, for Sea Scouting, with its adventures
and its games, is full of enjoyment and fun.
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