"If so, gentlemen, go ahead with your questions.

For that matter, during your stay aboard, ask all the questions you can think of." "Thank you, sir," replied Midshipman Dave Darrin, with a slight bow.

"I have been thinking of one point on which I would be glad of information." "And that is-----" "The full complement of this craft appears to consist of three officers and four enlisted men---that is, of course, outside of your combined cook and steward." "Yes," nodded Benson.
"One of the officers is commanding officer; another is deck officer and the third engineer officer." "Yes." "Then, on a cruise," pursued Dave, "how can you divide watches and thus keep going night and day ?" "Why, originally," Jack replied, "we put on long cruises with only three aboard---the three who are at present officers.

With a boat like the 'Dodger,' which carries so few men, the commanding officer cannot stand on his dignity and refuse to stand watch.
I frequently take my trick at the wheel.

That gives Mr.Somers his chance to go below and sleep." "Yet Mr.Hastings is your only engineer officer." "True, but two of our enlisted men are trained as engine-tenders.
Our engines are rather simple, in the main, and an enlisted engine-tender can run our engine room for hours at a stretch under ordinary conditions.