Aboard Arethusa, compulsory jerseys for physical drill and regatta practice created a practical health and housekeeping problem. In Mediterranean heat, hundreds of sweat-soaked jerseys accumulated on the mess decks because the ship had no drying rooms. Vian won a struggle with the captain of the fleet to end the rule and let sailors exercise stripped to the waist. Prickly heat subsided, and the crew's pale torsos became tanned. A small change in uniform policy improved daily conditions aboard the cruiser.
Notable Point · 7:07-7:36
A uniform reform improves life aboard Arethusa
Ending compulsory exercise jerseys aboard Arethusa reduced prickly heat and cleared sweat-soaked clothing from mess decks without drying rooms.