We were in the Foc’stle seamanship room this forenoon along with C.P.O. Hamilton learning how to do bends and hitches. I don’t mind this but I have still a dread of the more advanced forms of seamanship. I don’t know how I am going to learn enough to take a class through their course.
Thie class went on a cross country run today, I will never forget it. I kept with the leaders for about four miles, by this time I felt as if my lungs were bursting and my breath was coming in short gasps. I had to stop and walk, I walked until I came to the main roads and then ran until I reached the dormitory. A very bad show on part of the sports secretary. My legs feel as if they will never again bear the weight of my body. Every time I put the weight of my body on one leg it seems to tend to buckle up.
This evening I went ashore to Portsmouth to bug a new suit and pair of boots to remedy my ragged appearance. Much to my disappointment, I found the shops closed.
Foc’stle – abbreviation of forecastle which is the upper deck of a sailing ship forward of the foremast, or the forward part of a ship with the sailors’ living quarters.