Middle Watch: Play

by Ian Hay, Stephen King-Hall

His Majesty's cruiser Falcon, surrounded by sundry big and little sisters, lay moored in the famous Sparrow Inlet, the principal harbour of Fan Yan Island, on the North China coast. Her hundred and seventy-five feet of pearl-white length was reflected in the glassy blue water; a pale wisp of smoke floated delicately above her after-funnel. From her quarter-deck proceeded sounds of music—or rather, of modern jazz.

20 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

John Hay Beith was a Scottish schoolmaster, soldier, playwright, and novelist.

He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh and St. Johns College, Cambridge. He was a second-lieutenant in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was sent to France in April 1915 where he was awarded the Military Cross. He was later Director of Public Relations at the War Office (1938 - 1941).

As "Ian Hay", he was also a novelist and playwright.

Reviews

[Ilo99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a naughty book. And what about political correctness, I ask. What about feminism and emancipation? Good, old times, just after an end of first world war, when a woman on a board of a naval ship could cause a disaster. Maybe even a DISASTER written in capital letters. Fortunately it’s not the time, when the ship with a lady on board would be cursed, but our captain is worried about modesty. You know, those poor boys thrown to the wolves, or I should say she-wolves. They can’t save themselves from women’s curiosity, love and good humour. And when three of this kind stay for the night, it’s true nightmare for the captain. No one should know about it. But, as it is always with farce and burlesque, everything is going awkward. It was such a pleasure and amusement to read this book.