“The ship's fiddler was formerly an important personage in the ships of the Royal Navy. His duty was to play while the sailors were hauling up the anchor, at dances, and festive occasions like crossing the line. He is now superseded by the ship's band.”
[Echoes of the Month, The Musical Herald and Tonic Sol-fa Reporter, Jan., 1897]


“The days of the hand capstan and the ship's fiddler are gone, probably for ever; all the operation are done now by steam, and ten men are enough where hundreds were required before.”
[At Sea with the Channel Squadron, Navy and Army Illustrated, Correspondent, 16 April 1898]