It is only in line-of-battle ships that the mids mess in the cockpit; while in frigates they not merely mess but sleep in the part of the lower deck called, I know not why, the steerage.

I ought to have mentioned that before the cabins of the officers, and abaft those of the sailors, lie the berths of the marines; but, of course, those mess-places of the men are not partitioned off, being merely denoted by the tables and shelves.

The boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, have their cabins in the steerage.
The captain peeps into each of these dens as he moves along.

In that of the midshipmen he may probably find a youth with the quarantine-flag up; that is, in the sick-list.

His cue, we may suppose, is always to look as miserable and woe-begone as possible.