Posted by Andrew Craig-Bennett on January 01, 2007 at 22:11:04 from 195.93.21.42 user ACB.
This has puzzled me for more years than I care to think about - certainly since my age was in single figures.
When John sets off to deliver the Billies' message to the Houseboat Man, he sets himself to row "Navy Style", on the return journey, hot and bothered, he forgets about this.
What is "Navy Style" in the rowing of thirteen foot sailing dinghies, please? And may I have a supplementary question - why did Arthur Ransome assume that his readers would know what he was talking about?
I've messed about in boats all my life; my father was in the WW2 Navy - and I haven't a clue!