Letters, ATG No 2432.
The cane with the weighted ends is a Boatswain Starter as used in the Royal Navy in the 18th and early 19th century aboard square rigged sailing ships.
It was used to ‘encourage’ the sailors to climb the ratlines in all weathers to set or take in the sails on the Yards. Like using a stick either on their backs or bottoms.
Simon Davidson
