Evening star., 1898-07-30
SPORTS ON SHlPBOARD
Jack Tar Manages to Have Good Deal of
Fun.
of Baptism - Singing the
MOnkey-ObStacl. and Wheel
barrow Races.
From the Philadelphia Times.

| Hioi' tnS bhaueipuia iAues.
There is a general impression that 1t is
only when Jack Tar gets shore leave that
he has any relaxation. Nothing is further
from the truth, for the jolly sailor lad can
always make fun no matter where he is.
One of the chief pleasures Of the German
warships now at Manila with Rear Ad-
miral Dewey of the United States navy is
The ceremony of baptism. One might sup
pcse from this that the German seaman
Is especially pious, but it is only necessary
to see the ceremony to observe that there
is more fun than piety in it, After every
long voyage 1t is the custom 10 baptize
the sailor who na5 been the best during
the trip-that is. VINO has saved the most
money and drank the least grog. If this
honor was intended 10 promote decorum
and sobriety it is most dismal failure.
1t has just the contrary effect, for every
sailor, to avoid the inevitable duckiEg,
spends his earnings and lets no schnapp5
escape. One object Of this custom is to
encourage lberalty and hail-fellow-well-
met spirit among the crew.
The ceremony of baptism is very inter-
esting. Every officer Of the American sleet
at Manila attended it # he We're lucky
enough to get an invitation. A throne is
rugged up for Father Neptune, and an i'm
mense tub is improvised out OF d sail or
tarpaulin on the 1eck. This Is iilled with
water, and around the edges stand various
mostly like those worn by Calithumpian
raraders in the United States. At a given
signal the monitor is ordered by Neptune
to read a list of the offenders crimes,
which usually consist of undue frugality
and sobriety. Neptune waves his triden.
and issues a stern order, which is executed
by his grolasque minions, who catch the
luckless wiglt, all dressed, by the neck and
pitch him head foremost into the big basin,
where he is allowed to founder around un-
til thoroughly soaked.
The most interesting athletic game
aboard ship Is the obstacle race. The chief
task is to get through life preservers
swung from rope and oscillating with
every lurch of the ship. 1t Is exceedingly
difficult for even a trained athlete to get
through one, if the sea is at all nasty,
without making most ludicrouS failures.
Singing the monkey is a name given
to a performance that justifies its peculiar
name. The legs of the monkey usually
careful, methodical man-are first OF all
siung up by means of ropes and pulleys
Then the victim is given piece of chalk,
and with this he is expected to lean for
ward and write dictated love letters on the
ships deck; or he may be called upon to
show his skill as an artist. AT the same
time you can't expect fine technique and
firmness of outline, considering the circum-
stances; for thing, the draughtsman
hasn't a free hand. The knowing mon
key will probably wait until the ship has
lurched one way, then he will attempt
time to right herself. Occasionally it is
not the chalk, but the artists nose, which
scrapes the deck.
delightful uncertainty always attends
any function at sea-athletic otherwise
for the lurch of the ship will give pecu
liar force to the adage that the best laid
schemes. O. mice an men gang aft agley."
This gives a peculiar Zest to the egg-and-
spoon race. The starters are placed in a
row and each is provided with an egg,
which is to be carried in a spoon held at
arms length. The one reaching the win
ming post first with egg intact is declared
the winner. Needless to say this race is
not necessarily to the swift; rather is it
to the adroit and strategic. 1t is very
funny to watch the competitors. One will
hold the spoon low down, SO that If the
egg does fall out it won't get broken; an
other will make a frantic dash, trusting
to luck and the ships steadiness, while a
third will perhaps deposit the egg in some
one lap, greatly to his disgust.
Inc WheelbarroW race on board shin is
ten times as amusing as it is at a country
lalr Inc barrows are in this instance sea
men VINO do not fear a rush of brains to
the mead and do not mind getting down
on their hands while their legs are held
hlsh IN the air and used to propel the own
er toward the goal. The rolling of the yes
sci pitches the wheelbarrow and pusher
together in heap, CONFUSING the on
lookers with laughter.