Between us we managed to lower a number of chests into the hold where they would be out of the way; then we disposed of more objects liable to produce unwelcome splinters, and finally we started toward the paint locker.
The gun deck presented a scene of the most intense activity.

The process of clearing ship for action requires the united efforts of the entire crew.

On vessels of the regular service, such as the "New York" or "Indiana," where everything has been constructed with a view to the needs of battle, the work is thoroughly systematized and comparatively easy.

The "Yankee," being a merchant steamer hastily converted into a vessel of war, presented greater difficulties.
However, the crew was fairly familiar with its duties and the work progressed at a rapid rate.

When "Bill" and I reached the paint locker we found several others preparing to convey the oil to the deck.