Figure 3. Sailors from torpedo school ship Marceau pose
for professional portrait sitting in Toulon, December 1913 (photograph
in author’s possession)
Subsequent letters recapped Brucelle’s activities during the week and
progress on the course toward the examinations. Twelve days before
Christmas, sailors received opportunity to get off the ship: “Yesterday
we had a military march with the crews of the other school ships. We did
field service which is very interesting. It changes life aboard a
little. We went to Fréjus at 16 kilometers around Les Salins on the road
to Nice with music in the lead and across a splendid country. So, I am
delighted with our outing, although a little tired!”11Letter,
14 December 1913. Marceau sailors picked wild flowers along
the way, which they wore in their lapels (Figure 3). Meanwhile, course
studies continued. Brucelle saw an end in sight: “I am starting to be
tired of this intellectual overwork, but these 6 months will not be for
nothing because once rated, I will be calmer in all respects. Frequent
leaves and higher pay, these are appreciable things in the service. For
example, I do not know where I will be but I will do my best to be
closer to Paris.”22Letter, 21 December 1913 Reconnecting with
his family was a priority. Although he went to Digne at the end of
December to see Marie Louise, Brucelle sent best wishes for the New Year
to his mother and Louise.33Letter, 30 December 1913. A varied
routine on the Marceau and in the squadron awaited him upon
return.
The month of January 1914 was busy for Brucelle in the last stretch to
the torpedo speciality qualification examinations. He rejoined the same
armoured cruiser from his earlier apprentice sailor days:
Last Saturday that is to say the 4th we went on theJules Michelet to spend 8 days to launch torpedoes by submerged
tubes and the squadron just appeared. Total we were at sea for 10 days.
First we passed in front of Cannes, Nice, Monaco, and Menton where we
stayed for 2 days. From there we went to Corsica to the bay of
Porto-Vecchio with a 22-hour crossing, then to Ajaccio, return to
Golfe-Juan with inspection by Admiral Boué de Lapeyrére…As my
health is fine, I’m starting to put on a little weight. It’s not too
soon because I was very skinny.’44Letter, 14 January 1914.
Brucelle complained about shortness of money after expenditures during
the trip, and an unfortunate turn in the weather that
uncharacteristically brought a snowstorm to usually sunny, warm Toulon.
He counted down days to the ranking competition first week of February
to determine placement and the individual oral examination in March, and
then returning to Paris for some rest. Brucelle consulted his mother
about the next stage:
Say I want to have your opinion on my posting, because we are asked
where we want to go after finishing the course. There is not much hope
for Cherbourg unless by a little stroke of luck. There remains therefore
the Toulon squadron, torpedo boats, or a campaign and the Bizerte
submarines. The squadron means nothing to me at all because it’s the
real life of the barracks and then we only leave Toulon very
infrequently. The only place where these warships go is Villefranche
from time to time. It is not very interesting to stay there for 3
consecutive years. Couldn’t you send something to my cousin Naulot
whether through his relations a posting at Brest or Cherbourg might be
arranged. Otherwise, I’m asking for a campaign because I’m bored staying
in Toulon - it’s a dirty hole if not for the nice surroundings, but for
leave it’s too far. Staying out of the country for a long time might not
be the safest, but at least when we come back one can have a long leave
and life is much more pleasant. So you will give me your opinion on this
subject because I really do not know where to ask.55Letter, 18
January 1914.
Reality was that Brucelle would go where the navy decided. The
likelihood was Toulon and the naval army, despite Brucelle’s growing
disillusionment with the place. Submarines, another option, were still
relatively new and novel, with some concerns about safety:
I did a dive for the first time on the submarine Argonaute, which
has been attached to Marceau for the past month to teach us how
to launch torpedoes aboard these boats. I assure you that I am delighted
because it’s something that you don’t do every day. At first I was just
a little impressed, as were my friends, because we had just learned of
the English submarine 87 disaster, but once diving we were completely
cold-blooded. We stayed 3 hours sailing at 15 meters depth. I can
comfortably say it was not too bad and certainly not inconvenient, to be
denied the open air. We only appreciated the dive right at the start
because the boat tilts lower; otherwise when everything is closed up we
did not know if we were on the surface or underwater. Anyway, I’m not
unhappy about it and assure you, we don’t go there anymore during class.
I didn’t tell you before because you would have been pissed off,
wouldn’t you little Mother.66Letter, 25 January 1914.
The Argonaute , an experimental submarine commissioned under
pennant designation Q-40 in January 1911, possessed two tubes able to
fire 450 mm torpedoes, a total of six carried aboard.77Henri
Le Masson, Les sous-marins français: des origines (1863) à nos
jours (Brest and Paris: Éditions de la Cité, 1980), 282. Brucelle
found this experience in a submarine to be cramped and damp. And his
mother disapproved so his choices narrowed.
Brucelle successfully completed examinations to become a rated sailor in
the torpedo speciality. He learned that his cousin André was now in the
navy and serving in cruisers at Toulon, although which one was not
specifically mentioned. The course’s last week in early February covered
taught materials from previous months: “We have started the review of
all our studies. I am starting to have a little rest. In a month the
exam will be finished and then the awaited crowning of 6 months of work,
and leave which in any case cannot be taken away.”88Letter, 1
February 1914. The first examination, written by the group as a
whole, took a full morning. Congratulating his mother on moving into a
more spacious “luxury” apartment, Brucelle asked for the new address:
“Hey Mama about 38 days and you can kiss your son now that it’s over.
You can’t imagine how long that seems to me. Yesterday’s ranking
competition is already done, a good step towards the end. The final
examination, as I have already told you is from 8 to 12 and after,
departure and fine Paris. I might stop at Digne. It will delay me for a
day, but I see myself having one more day, as everything will be for the
best since my 2 affections will be satisfied.”99Letter, 7
February 1914. Brucelle was equally successful in March fielding
questions from the examining officers. Understandably, he was eager to
leave Toulon immediately and did not send any letters, instead
preferring to tell Marie Louise and his family about the achievement in
person.