The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-12-06
CONEY WELCOMES TARS
British and American Sailors Make
Merry at Famous Resort
Prince Louis and Admiral Evans Present
Vaudeville Performance Adds
t o the FeBtiyltIes.

New York City.-Joining in interna-
tionaI revelry, the enlisted men OF the
First United States squadron of the
North Atlantic feet and the men Of
the visiting British feet took possess
sion of Coney Island, turned the place
inside out and back again, vowed
eternal friendship to one another and
the next moment boosted Of proves
until only q mill could settle it-with'
policemen smiling the other way all
the time. ,.... ri
1t was the most remarkable interna-
tional feast ever given, and graced as
it was by the presence in the early
part of the evening by Prince Louis,
Admiral Evars and most Of their
STATS. it took added significance.
TN7enty-six hundred lusty-lunged tars
greeted the coming of their officers.
waited impatientiy for them to depart
and finally became almost violently
demonstrative when the officers
marched from the hall. leaving the
enlisted men to indulge in sundry love
pats among themselves. 3.
Before going to the banquet Of the
sailors, Prince Louis spoke at a din
ner given him by the Chamber Of
Commerce. After Neaving Coney ISL
and he visited the Horse Show in
Madison Square Garden and then at
tended the "gambol" in the Lambs
Club. Before retiring lie spent a short
time at the ball given by the warrant
officers of the British ships and the
non-commissioned men of the Ameri-
can vessels. on board the Drake. "
To say that Coney Island took. kindly
to the sailor lads is putting 1t mildly.
1t opened it's arms-usually cold this
time of. year-in wide embrace to the
boys with nothing to do but spend
money, and by midnight it was pre-
dicted that it would be worth a. mans
life to display car fare back to the city
in the morning. The men simply let
themselves loose and made merry with
all the traditional jollity of the sailor.
Both American and British tars vowed
it was the most glorious night In the
the history Of the two navies.
The Britishers and Americans left
their ships in the afternoon in three
Of the big vessels of the Iron Steam
boat Company and sailed down the
bay to Coney Island. On the way the
Americans RECALLED; their brethren from
across the sea with a rollicking chorus.
After landing in Coney Island, the
men, headed by a large police guard.
marched to .Stauch's pavilion, in the
BOwery, where dinner was prepared;
After the arrival of Prince Louis and
Admiral Evans and their uniformed
stats the sight inside Of the hall was
IN impressive and interesting one.
The American and British sailors,
mixed Unfortunately, sat at long
rows Of tables and on the balconies,
while the officers of the fleets sat in
front. The hall was decorated with
long streamers of American and Brit
Sh flags, and all the Britishers had
American flags pinned to their coats,
while the Americans wore the emblem
Of Great Britain. AS Prince Louis and
Admiral Evans marched up the long
row to the head Of the table reserved
for the officers the band played "God
Save the King" The men rose and
let out a cheer that made those Of the
biggest political meets eve held in
this city seem like the footing of a SIN
gle fog horn. 1t was a cheer propelled
by thousands Of the stoutest lungs
that can be found in the world, and it
seemed as If each lung had been espe-
cially trained for the purpose.
BattenDerg and Admiral Evans and
their STATS left Corey Island at S.26.
A vaudeville entertainment was pro-
vided, but the sailors refused to let
the performers do their regular acts.
1t vas outside OF the place. however,
that the men enjoyed themselves most
Coney Island-or that part Of it which
is open all year-was prepared for the
boys in blue. Men and women were
singing patriotic airs to lure the sail
ors within, and once they passed the
portals of any of the resorts they had
o difficult time getting out. All of the
men seemed to have bills of large de-
nomination and they spent their money
like sailors.