The Spectator at war: Distinguished service

From ‘News of the Week’, The Spectator, 20 February 1915:

We are very glad to see that the Admiralty have rewarded the captain and crew of the merchant steamer ‘Laertes,’ which skilfully escaped from a German submarine attack last week. Although his vessel was unarmed and rather slow, Captain Propert came through unhurt both by gunfire and torpedo attack. He has set an example of coolness, gallantry, and seamanlike resource to the merchant service, and the Admiralty in honouring him have done the right thing in the right way. He has been granted a temporary commission in the Royal Naval Reserve, and has received the Distinguished Service Cross. His officers have each received a gold watch, and every member of the crew £3. But why the nondescript sum of £3? We should sympathize in this case if the men had wished their tip to be “paper “—”paper ” as the term was understood before the war.