[seafarer]

I always liked this, from a 2004 article in the magazine Sea Classics

"During and shortly after World War One, the US Navy built a large
number of coastal-type submarines which were simply known as the
S-class. They were simple designs that measured 219-ft in length;
had a 21-ft beam and displaced 1062-tons submerged. Armed with
four 21-in torpedo tubes, and a four-inch deck gun. They were
known for breakdowns, leaks and, above all, a smell unlike
anything experienced by mankind. As the S boats aged, so did the
musty, moss-like smell that pervaded every corner of the boat.
Many of these craft were transferred to the Asiatic Fleet where
they remained for many years or until the Pacific War began.

It was rumored (and probably true) that one night while an S boat
was moored at Cavite, a rather drunk first-class torpedo man came
stumbling down the gangway with a small cage. The duty officer
asked what he thought he was doing and then noticed that a
fully-grown and not so happy skunk was trapped in the cage. The
young OOD ordered and then pleaded with the drunken sailor to let
the skunk loose. He finally appealed to his good nature and asked
about the "smell." The sailor promptly replied, "Don't worry, the
skunk will get used to it soon enough just like all of the rest
of us!"