Marine Rams to Mess

Vessels of war constructed with a projecting "snout" or "spur," with which to ram and sink an adversary by bursting in the side of such vessel below the water-line.

The common vegetable sponge, employed to wipe out the chamber of the gun after firing.

Marks I, II and III are intended to express the difference in the dimensions of chamber and gun, the charge of powder being regulated according to the respective marks. When carriages are distinguished by a mark number, they are supposed to accommodate guns of like mark.

The chief petty officer on board a man-o'-war. The ship's corporals are subordinate to him, and together they police the ship, confine and have charge of offenders, etc.

A line officer who is not eligible for promotion, and ranks about the same as a warrant officer. Mates are no longer appointed, and the rank will become obsolete with the death of the few now in the service.

The medical corps of the U.S. Navy consists of one surgeon-general with the relative rank of commodore, medical directors with the relative rank of captain, medical inspectors with the relative rank of commander, surgeons with the respective relative ranks of lieutenant-commander and lieutenant, passed assistant surgeons with the relative rank of lieutenant junior grade, passed assistant surgeons with the relative rank of ensign.

A personal examination made to determine the physical and mental health of a person.

A number of officers, petty officers, seamen or marines who take their meals together.

Master-at-Arms' Mess. To this mess belong all the yeomen, ship's writer, schoolmaster, apothecary, machinists, boilermakers, and the orderly sergeant of marines, who, however, may from his own mess if he so desires, in which case all the sergeants and corporals of marines are members of it.

Orderly Sergeant's Mess. (See Master-at-Arms' Mess.)

Steerage Mess. This mess is composed of midshipmen, ensigns, clerks and mates.

Wardroom Mess. Composed of staff officers (medical, engineer, and pay) above the rank of ensign, and line officers from lieutenant-commander to lieutenant, junior grade, inclusive. Marine officers are always members of the wardroom mess. Should an ensign be assigned to regular watch duty on board ship, he is entitle to mess and live in the wardroom. Also, if a staff officer, holding the relative rank of ensign, is the senior officer of his corps (in charge of a department) on board ship, he also is entitled to live in the wardroom.

Warrant-Officer's Mess. Composed of the boatswain, gunner, sailmaker and carpenter.