The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-10-12

The United states govcrngnnt gives
its sailors only 30 cents a day each to|
live on, but the American navy Is bet
ter fed than any other navy IN the
world. In fact, "jacky" Ii ,es better
than the average mechanic on shore.
AS the appetite Of n seafaring man
cannot be nppeased 10y angel food the
provisions are of the most substantial
kind.
All naval vessels are liable to be sent
on long voyages or to be stationed
where markets are inaccessible, and
the stores purchased for the crew must
be such ns will keep for long time
and not become damaged by changes
of climate. Naturally salt pork, corned
beef, hard tack, beans, flour, sugar,
canned fruits and vegetables are car
ried I'm large quantities and must OF ne
cesslty constitute the main part of the
daily rntlons with these staples as a
basis many appetizing combinations
can be made. Al sea fresh meat and
vegetables are not to be had, but while
I'm port or within reach Of market
the navy regulations require the lssu-
ance on certain days Of these desirable
additions to the food supply. In the
olden days no fresh meat was included
In the navy ration, and "jacky' was
compelled TO subsist largely on corned
beef, known In the SnilOr Vernncular as
''salt horse" owing to the fact that
some unscrupulOus contractor at one
time long ago passed Off horsehesh for
beef In II navy supply. The barrel In
which the salt meat II kept Is to this
day known as the "hnrness cnsk."
The enlisted men are divided into
messes consisting OF from ~ to - men
each. Every month the mess elects
one OF It's number tO the position Of en-
terer. and he looks after all matters Gu
linary during his term. To him the dal-
ly allowances of staple foods are Issued |
each morning by one oc the paymns- |
ter's men. known ns the Jack Of the |
dust" presumably from his handling |
flour The shlp's cooks then prepare |
the supplies for the table. Each mess !
ls usually allowed from four TO six
cOmmuted rntiOus Is, the catcrer
~
cash aud il thus provided with n fund
OF from $50 to S54 per month with
which to buy fruits. vegetables, lsh,
butter aud other Items which are not
Included In the list Of articles furnished
by the government TO furnish the
table still further Il Is customary for
each man TO chip In" dollar or two
each month ont Of his own pocket.
The old time shr,Ihacbs looked with
glee upon plum dLn dinner, but sUch
duintIes ns that seem commonplace 10
the new style navy m,n, who on holi
days and frequently on Sundays have
dellCncies like roast turkey with Gran
berry sauce. celery. oranges. bananas
and even Ice cream.
II "jacky" has one failing In the
commlssariat line. Il Is his craving for
pies OF any constituency or nationality.
He will eat them on any occasion aud
In any place The ships cook II he be
ambitious. takes advantage of this and
makes up n tempting array Of pies
from materials which he purchases
from the paymasier aud retails them TO
the sailors.
The government does not discriml-
nate In the allowance for food supplies
In the navy as between officer and On
listed man-thnt ls, II did not up TO Il
year or two ago, when every man In
the ship, from the admiral down TO n
coal HEAVIER. received 30 cents each day.
Now the discrimination is that the coal
HEAVIER continues TO draw his 80 cents,
while the admiral and all other officers
except the gunner. carpenter, pharma-
cist, chief machinists and the naval
cadets receive absolutely nothing for
their subsistence ON board ship. Many
who visit naval vessels and are enter
tained at dinner or luncheon are heard
20 remark that the government pro
Vides very good living for It's officers,
not thinking that the entire cost OF the
repast has come out OF the officers own
pockets.
The cost OF an officers living on one
OF our vessels varies considerably. In
port where much entertaining has Il
be done aud where there are hlgl
priced markets the mess BILL as II Is
called, sometimes runs as high as SO,
or $40 a month for each officer and II
rarely less than S25 month. This rep
resents merely the actual cost of the
food and the incidental expenses OF th,
mess. as the government furnishes al
servants, crockery, fuel and table linen
In connection with this subject 4
may be- interesting 10 note that the cap
tain OF a war vessel does not eat will
the other officers, but has a separate
establishment for himself and Is pro
vided with cook and a steward whos'
only duties are 10 wait ON him. On
ragships the admiral also eats alone
The wardrOom mess usually includes
all officers above the grade OF ensigI
and ON most vessels consists OF from
10 20 20 members, Junior officers an,
naval cadets constitute another mess
known as the steerage mess.-C. A. Nc
Antatan iu Saturday EypninN Rogt