The sun., 1903-12-25
MEMORIES or THE OF, NAvY.
Chris tnas Day at Port Msaen when
Dewey Was Executive OnNer.

Chris t,nas nay At Port Msien when
Dewey IVES Executive Onher.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE Sun -I.: The
frgate Colorado. the flagship OF tn United
states European squadron. had ben away
from home a little more than eighteen months.
and during that time the crew had bfS9 given
very little shore leave. SO the Adniral-
Goldsborough decided she should q into
Port Mahon for fortnight as the bestplace
for the men to have an extended ran on'hore
and have good time during the Chrismas
holidays OF 1885,
Port Mahon is the principal town ofhe
island Of Minorca. one OF the Balearic grup
in the Mediterranean. not very far from he
coast of Spain. to whom the islands MaJore.
Mnorca and Iviza belong. 1t had been "
many years the headquarters OF our Meditef'
ranean squadron, as 1t was called In the days
before the civil war. The stores for the
squadron were kept there in conmodious
warehouses loaned by the Spanish Govern
ment. and the ships made frequent visits.
The harbor OF Port Mahon is about three
miles from the sea through narrow, very
deep inlet, about three miles long, lined on
both sides by preciptous cliffs and 1t is quite
a tedious climb from the harbor to the top
OF the cliff on which the town is situated.
There Is scarcely any agriculture on the
island, but an abundance OF fruit trees and
plenty OF game and domestic fowls. Tho
town Is q typical Spanish one. Of whtewashed
houses. generally two stories high. with the
grated balconies and green window blinds
peculiar to the country.
The Mahonese are very proud OF their
opera house. a pretty little affair, to which
artists from the mainland make occasional
visits to furnish amusement TO the natives.
when the best society of the place turns out
zen masse": and to 4 stranger the graceful
handling Of the fans by the handsome Span
ish ladies is as interesting us the performances
on the stage. But the chi ef attraction OF
the place is the great organ in the cathedral.
the house having been built for the instru-
ment instead OF vice versa. This organ Is
nearly as large as the great one in Harlem.
Holland. and some experts declare it a much
finer instrument. 1t was built for the great
cathedral at Barcelona. Spain. but on its
passage from Italy the vessel conveying it
organ Ss SfsG thousht S se to % beyond
repair. and the priests at Port Mahon bought
IT for mere song rescued 1t frGm ron the ssnd
pened to be there at the time Of our visit In
compshed musician. who would, for q small al
splendid performances, The -yo1 humana"
Our ships. the Colorado and the Tieon-
derosa. arrived on The 18th Of December,
The men had lots of liberty and enjoyed it
any G cause. 'strS They fd had sufieien. money al
On the island xSs sSse the ali
and grea. f4n 1t was t9 see the the salHr men
Ths oesrs aiso enjoysd The rides
the island All during the stay Of the ships
the weather was delightful. and some Of these
ss sad rssor .as or
other fashionable resorts on the mainland
n
Many OF the names familiar to the old navy
before the civil war are stll there. and we
nugat candy. Several OF the older natives
had stories TO tell US bout the visits Of the
Delaware. the Constitution. the Java. Ohio
| and other vessels long since lost or laid upon
the shelf
On, Christmas eve. we went to what they
dral This must be a ceremony peculiar to
the place. as none Of our church people had
with people men. women and children -
soldiers from the garrison and our own man
Mth The %a1 wss fbe aay
was brilliantly lit. the music OF the big organ
combined with the military band ma asnifl;,
%
the people to laugh at the good hits in his ser
mon He night have have beer been gayiGe US ~ Ams1,
sermon or address, which was timed 70 be
when ss Il the priest gave Y Very deSdsd IMITATION
OF coci crow and all hands dispersed in
on christmas Day the ship was turned
over. as far as regulations would allow. to the
men: and they were encouraged by the Cap
Admiral, to have the best time possible-and
they took hold with will At daylight the
boats went out and the men found great
were placed in every available place where
they could be. put, Along the bridge was
in raseo IF the paT The
had taken in the bombardment of that fort
lust one yeaT az ,6efors in which ha she haa
yer we're ARCHES " with mottoes welcomsS and nd
Ias Rth ever ws
greens, flowers and bunting and enough
money was allowed to provide an abundance
for each man a small bottle of red wine and
bottle of ale. Tables were arranged In
stead of spread on the deck with messcloths
ian abOminable practice, since abandonedl.
prevailed, and if any ofricer got in sight he
The officers Of the ward room had grand
dinner, which our Consul and some OF the
young Spanish Officers s, attended 81 .,.,
grand performance by the Colorado min
strels. As there was a large crew to select
instrumental. we're carefully trained by Band
master faggari, the entertainnent very
eaTy ,ha one noor of chris best
Of us went on shore. where masked balls
were in fun swing, and the streets thLonged
The spanisrds had been very kind and
polite to us dnrnE Ii, al our STAY and an we left
for many good reasons o.
New York, Dec 20.
III oe th