A Bloody War or a Sickly Season

The Ward Room aboard HMS Trincomalee

As it is Thursday, after the Loyal Toast was giv'n and drunk, Lt. McLean offered up "A Bloody War or a Sickly Season". As we drank, I pondered the meaning of such a toast.

Being promoted upon the death of your superiors has been the Naval tradition for time immemorial. But I cannot help think that it is quite morbid to wish the untimely demise of one's associates in order to procure advancement in one's field of occupation. Every man in the Ward Room drank glady to the idea.