Beachmaster

There being so large an excess of males of breeding age, they crowded each other to the extent of leaving only fighting-room, averaging one beachmaster to seven females. The beachmasters were continually fighting for the possession of the females, often killing each other in their struggles, while many more became so crippled as to have to retire from the breeding-grounds, so that during the season the injured and exhausted amounted to fully 30 per cent.

At the start of the breeding season, the bulls take up their positions on the beaches. Here they fight to hold on to their territory and the females that gather there. The bull that wins the battles becomes the beachmaster. His group of females is called a harem. Each beachmaster mates with as many cows as he can control. An average harem contains ten to fifteen cows, but a few beachmasters guard even larger harems.

Full reproductive status (social maturity) is deferred until full size and competitive vigour are developed. Males normally do not reach breeding or “beachmaster” status until about 10 y (Rand, 1949b; Stewardson et al., 1998). Some never attain breeding status.

Each boat, on landing the force, to be supplied with the number of boatkeepers assigned to it, and to be under the orders of the beachmaster, to whom the names of the boatkeepers are to be given; and the beachmaster will take particular care that the boats are kept afloat, and properly arranged, and that on passing and repassing between the ships and the shore, due arrangement is observed, and the duty performed with the utmost alacrity.

Lieutenant Rhodes, Washington, take charge transportation of Landing Force to beach ; assume duties of Beachmaster ; return boats, less armed launches, to ship when landing is completed.

Meantime the beachmaster had his boys at work on the “gréve” or pebbly beach which had to be kept thoroughly clean and free from grass and seaweed.