I have question of BIA, but first, let me draw an analogy.
I've been reading a series of historical novels by Patrick O'Brian, about the British Navy, set during the wars with the French and Americans during the time of Napoleon and the war of 1812. One of the two main characters in these books is Captain Aubrey. Captain Aubrey was given many different commands and above all desired, and sometimes had, a Happy Ship. One of these was the Surprise. Now the Surprises (the crew of a ship was called after the name of their ship) and their Captain, made such a Happy Ship. There were certain obstacles to this. Oftentimes a large part of the crew had been pressed into service, others were landsmen, inept at sea. Crew members were often drafted from ship to ship, a detriment to working well with a particular ship and each other. Discipline was harsh with many of the officers, beating the men to get them to their duty, and flogging (or hanging) for punishment.
The Happy Ship was one where all the crew were able seaman, all could hand, reef and steer, they knew their duty and performed it well, anticipating their Captain's orders, could ply their guns expertly, and gave their Captain little cause for punishment, he, for his part being much disinclined to harsh treatment of his crew.
When the crew was unhappy on the other hand, in danger of mutiny, they would express their displeasure by such means as freeing 32 pound cannonballs to roll around the pitching deck in the dark.
Now my question to BIA is: Are we The Happy Ship? It seems we may be becoming more so, but perhaps we can go further. Not all of us are loyal to our true Captain; God alone, and no Man leads us. There are still some cannonballs rolling about in the dark. But we are more and more a cohesive and respectful team, not taking ourselves so seriously, better at our duty to our Captain. We need to work on our gunnery though. We have a purpose, and need to be in action. So lets stop rolling those cannonballs and instead direct them at the enemy.
Posted By: Steve Williams
Tuesday, June 15th 2010 at 12:22PM
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