The following story is based upon a real life account written by Forrest Frank based upon a story by Captain Henry Nicholson. These appeared in the Scarborough Daily Post in 1920 as part of the 'Sea Dogs' stories by Forrest Frank.
Captain John Wyrill was once master of a temperance ship. He described the following tale:
"Shortly after Noon, when I was writing in my cabin, I heard a great shuffling on the deck, and I went up to see what the matter was.
The men were grouped under the break of the poop, and one of them, spokesman for the rest, said "We know right enough that this is a temperance ship, sir, but were all nearly dead for a hair of the dog that bit us, and if you would kindly give us a glass of spirits apiece, we'll be quite merry and bright again, and fit to work like true Britons tomorrow."
Captain Wyrill told them that "It was not a bit of good coming to me for spirits, for they would get none, that there was plenty on board, and that they had better get back to sleep."
The men went away but he was disturbed again an hour later. This time the crew told how a passenger on the ship was willing to give them each a glass of wine if the Captain consented. The Captain refused the consent and away they shuffled. He felt sorry enough for them but that was the rule of the ship.
"A bit later came the noise again, and this time I was beginning to get vexed , and was prepared to take disciplinary action when on my appearance on deck the spokesman said :"You are a very hard man, Captain, But our mouths are like red hot hawse holes, and could you please give us a seidlitz powder each?
It was as much as I could do to preserve my gravity, but gave them what they asked for, after which there was much fizzling for'ard, when they all curled down to sleep, and I had no more trouble with them."
