The wardroom officers have an excellent messroom at the after end of the middle deck, with anteroom and billiard-room. It may sound odd to landsmen to hear of such a nicely adjusted article as a billiard-table on board ship; and, of course, in a sea-going ship or one moored in an exposed position it would be futile. In a close and quiet harbour such as Dartmouth, however, it is quite feasible, and any little alterations in the trim of the ship are compensated by means of a screw on each leg of the table and a spirit level. The captain has his quarters on the main deck, above the officers. The poop of the _Hindostan_ is roofed in and fitted permanently as a chapel, the only adaptation necessary for Sunday being the covering of the skylights which light the studies below, and which otherwise interfere with the arrangement of the seats. This is a vast improvement on the old style of "rigging church" with messroom forms, etc., on the middle deck, which is all very well in a sea-going ship, where you cannot devote a portion of a deck to the purpose. [Illustration: CAPTAIN C. H. CROSS.] The upper deck of the _Britannia_ is covered in, and used as a place for recreation and skylarking in bad weather, also for such functions as prize day, etc. There are two floating swimming baths attached to the ship: one is moored a little way off, and the other, in which the water can be heated when necessary, is secured under the bridge which connects the two ships. These are used for the purpose of instruction in swimming; every cadet is tested as to his capabilities in this respect on joining; should the weather be too cold at the time, he must produce a statement from his parents or guardian that he can swim. The test is to swim sixty yards without stopping; any boy who is unable to do this is placed under instruction, and his progress regularly reported until he can pass in swimming. No cadet is allowed to use the boats for recreation, or to present himself for final examination, unless he is able to swim. The first paragraph of the regulations to be observed by cadets when away from the ship explains clearly enough the spirit in which the rules are imposed:-- "Cadets when on shore for recreation enjoy complete freedom from surveillance. This advantage can only be enjoyed with their co-operation, and it is obviously to their interest, in every way, to show that the confidence reposed in them is not misplaced. Certain rules and regulations are laid down for their guidance, and they are '_on their honour_' to abide by them." The rules are by no means too harsh or exacting, and the system is found to work perfectly.