Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-11-22
BLUEJACKETS AT PLAY
AMPLE TIME FOR SAILORS TO
AMUsE THEMSELVES.

/
"All work and no play makes Jack
a dull boy" is an adage that is duly
regarded in the treatment OF Uncle
Sans men in the Navy, writes c. A.
McAlister, of the United States Rev
enue Cutter Service. Though the
numerous and varied drills which go
to make an efficient ships company,
and the work necessary to keep every
thing "shipshape," are onerous, am
pie time is given the sailors to 2muse
themselves.
Naturally, boat racing is a very
! popular sport and one to which the
officers give every encouragement.
Each ship generally has a racing crew
of from four to ten men who are
ready at all propitious times to accept
challenges from other vessels OF our
own and other nations. The naval
method OF issuing a challenge is for
the challenging crew to row under
the stern of the vessel from which a
competing crew is desired and 'toss
oars"-that is, hold them vertically
, with the blades uppermost.
! An international race is, of course,
more interesting and exciting than
| one between the crews of American
vessels only. Such races usually oc-
cur on a national holiday of one of
i the competing parties. Sufficient funds
are raised by popular subscription to
| insure substantial prizes for the vic
i tors.
| Should there be no other vessel lying
in the harbor when the racing spirit
runs high, rival crews are formed from
the sailors and the firemen. These
arouse fully as much interest among
their supporters as do the races be-
tween different vessels. The sailors,
as may be supposed, are more famil-
lar with the handling of oars, but the
/ firemen make up for their deficiency
in skill in their superior strength. Ex-
citing contests usually occur between
such competitors, and the sailors do
not always win.
Occasionally q race is arranged be-
tween firemen and sailors in balsas,
or hatboats, which are used as floats
w ullt snip. ltll VI tNN
persons man each boat, and, instead
of oars, shovels used as paddles furn-
ish the propelling power. The length
of the course is usually half Il mile,
and the attempts at speed are very lu-
dicrous. Seen from Il distance the
splashing contestants resemble two
perambulating fountains. As no rud-
ders or steering oars are used, the
course pursued is very similar to the
trail of a garden worm. The hremen
usually win in these contests on ac-
count of their greater familiarity with
the shovel.
The "manIy art Of self-defense" is
also much in vogue as an amusement
In the Navy. When the weather is
warm this pastime Is INDUCED in
nearly every evening after supper has
been served. "Jacky's" profession is
obviously q pugnacious one, and he
usually takes to boxing as duck does
to water. Many OF the sailors develop
into excellent boxers, and there is
generally a keen rivalry among the
different sets Of men comprising the
crew of war-vessel. The firemen
usually have a champion who is pitted
against the leading tistic light of the
deck force, and the marine guard are
not at all behind in backing their
champion against either of the others.
While these contests are entered into
with great spirit, and the blows eX-
changed are not OF the feather-pillow
sort, the utmost good feeling prevails,
and it is seldom necessary to separate
the contestants on account of slugging.
japanese and Chinese cooks or SER
wants are found on nearly all war
, vessels, and the scheming "Jacky"
takes advantage OF their natural an
! tipathy for one another. After con
siderable cajoling they are often per-
suaded to put on the gloves. Spurred
on by the encouraging shouts of the
| sailors, they pummel one another
about with as much grace as might be
expected of pair of cart-horses in
| waltz. The sponging down and fan
ming of the principals between the
! rounds is as comical a sight as can
well be imagined. These Mongolian
contests usually result in the stimuli
taneous giving up of both parties on
account OF lack of breath, rather than
from any punishment received.
In addition to the healthful exercise
! gained in boxing, the training thus OBJ
tained is of great value TO the enlisted
men in shore engagements, and as
| teaching them n means of defending
| themselves from attacks when they
are unarmed.
Swimming is another sport much en-
| joyed by the average sailor. 1t not
only provides considerable amusement,
but is beneficial from Il hygienic
/ standpoint. This diversion can be in
dulged in on almost any evening, when
| the vessel is anchored where the
water is sufficiently warm and where
sharks are not too numerous. 1t is
surprising to observe the alacrity with
| which the men can divest themselves
of their clothing and plunge overheard