Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-31
NAVAL FOOD STORES STORES

NAVAL FOOD STORES. |
WHAT aJAcKYp GETS TO EAT IN
UNCLE SANS SERVICE.
The American Navy IL BETTER Fed
Than Any Other Navy In the World.
What 1t Costs the Onicers to Run
the Wardroom Mess.
The United States government gives
its snilors only 30 cents day each to
live on, but the American navy is bet
ter fed than any other navy in the
world. In fact, "jacky" lives better
than the average mechanic on shore.
AS the appetite Of seafaring man
cannot be appeased by angel food the
provisions are OF the most substantial
kind. Il
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 as will keep for long time
and not become damaged by changes
of climate. Naturally salt pork, corned
beef, hard tack, beans, -four sugar,
canned fruits and vegetables are car
ried in large quantities and must of ne
cessity constitute the main part of the
daily rations. With these staples as a
basis many appetlzing combinations
can be made. At sea fresh meat and
vegetables are not to be had, but while
in port or within reach of a market
the navy regulations require the issu-
ance OH 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 sailor vernacular as
salt horse" owing to the fact that
some INSCRIPTIONS contractor at one
time long ago passed off horseflesh for
beef in a navy supply. The barrel in
which the salt meat Is kept is to this
day known as the harness cask."
The enlisted men are divided into
messes consisting of from 10 to "a men
each. Every month the mess elects
one of its number to the position of Gu
terer, and he looks after all matters Gu
linary during his term. To him the dali
~ allowances of staple foods are issued
each morning by one Of the paymas-
ter's men, known as the Jack Of the
dust" presumably from his handling
flour. The ships cooks then prepare
the supplies for the table. Each mess
is usually allowed from four to six
a commuted rations-that is, the caterer
Is given the value of such rations In
cash and is thus provided with fund
of from $50 to $54 per month will
which to buy fruits, vegetables, fish
butter and other items which are moi
I included in the list of articles furnished
Y by the government. 10 furnish the
J table still further it is customary fol
3 each man to "chip in" dollar or two
/, each month out of his own pocket.
al The old time shellbacks looked witt
glee upon plum duff dinner, but sucl
dainties as that seem commonplace t,
the new style navy men, who on holi
idays and frequently on Sundays hay,
|, delicacies like roast turkey with Gran
4 berry sauce, celery, oranges. banana
and even ice cream.
; II "jacky" has one failing in tn
comrissariat line, it is his craving 70
pies of any constituency or nationality
He will eat them on any occasion ant
. in any place. The ships cook, If he b
: ambitious. takes advantage of this AM
makes up tempting array of pie
y from materials which he purchase
9 from the paymaster and retails them t
the sailors.
ri The government does not discriml
4 nate in the allowance for food supple
in the navy as between officer and er
listed man-that is, it did not up to
year or two ago. when every man i
the ship, from the admiral down to
0 coal HEAVIER, received 80 cents each da,
Q Now the discrimination Is that the cos
f HEAVIER continues to draw his 80 cent.
: while the admiral and all other officer
v except the gunner, carpenter, pharmt
. cist, chief machinists and the navs
= cadets receive absolutely nothing fe
y their subsistence on board ship. Man
., who visit naval vessels and are ente
p tanned at dinner or luncheon are hear
e to remark that the government pr,
n yides very good living for its officer
If not thinking that the entire cost of IL
:. repast has come out Of the officers ow
n pockets.
al The cost Of an officers living on or
= Of our vessels varies considerably. l
70 port where much entertaining has
e. be done and where there are hig
priced markets the mess bill, as it
20 called, sometimes runs as high as S;
es or $40 n month for each officer and
If rarely less than $25 a month. This re
a, resents merely the actual cost of ii
food and the incidental expenses Of Il
mess, as the government furnishes q
" servants, croclkery, fuel and table line
I In connection with this subject
l. may be Interesting to note that the ca
tain of war vessel does not eat vii
,hl the other officers, but has separa
,e establishment for himself and is pr
Il vided with a cook and a steward who
:. only duties are to wait on him. c
:, fagships the admiral also eats alon
y The wardroom mess usually includ
all officers above the grade of ensie
Up and on most vessels consists of fro
so 10 to 20 members. Junior officers al
id naval cadets constitute another mes
ID known as the steerage mess.-C. A. NJ
TX Allister in Saturday Evening Post.
IA A Kentucky Suspicion.
ar EDO you agree with the people wi
y assert that milk is not wholesome a
= ticle of diet n
- "Well,1 answered Colonel Stilwe
IL 81 wouldn't like to make positive a
nr sertions, but have heard 1t rumor'
lr that they put great deal of wat
ne into 1t. "-Washington Star.