"That's because you're Dave Darrin." Here a voice like a bass horn was heard.
"All third classmen report to the quarter-deck immediately!" This order was repeated in other parts of the ship.

Midshipmen gathered with a rush, Pennington and Hallam being the only members absent.

As soon as the third classmen, or "youngsters," as they are called in midshipman parlance, had formed, the orders were read off dividing them into sections for practical instruction aboard ship during the cruise.
Dave's name was one of the first read off.

He was assigned to duty as section leader for the first section in electrical instruction.

Dalzell, Farley, Hallam, Pennington and others were detailed as members of that section.
The same section was also designated for steam instruction, Dalzell being made leader of the section in this branch.
The class was then dismissed.