The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-11-22
THANKSGIVING on
BOARD A MAN-OF- WAR

Thanksgiving and Fourth OF July are In
the same class on United States battle
ships. Both are holidays for the ~iaclltes.
Both are celebrated with games and
sports. Turkey and cranberry sauce are
the only things which dl%tferentiate the
last Thursday in November from the
United States seaman's Fourth OF July.
When all the men n the navy pus on the;c
SUNDAY clothes. Nave Il big feast and ara
not compelled to work.
with the dawn Of Thanksgiving day on
@ United States battleship. regardless OF
whether she Is in Manchurian waters or
sklrttng the coast OF the isthmus of Pan
anna. all colors are thrown TO the wind.
Great American flags are raised to each
OF the mastheads and lines of brilliant sig
nal tags extend from the prov and stern
to the mastheads. The decks are washed
down and made sh:pshape, flags are drap-
ed all over the mess rooms and In every
part OF the officers quarters. and at noon
the privilege to all parts OF the ship Is
extended to the crew. and the real cele-
brat.on begins.
The government makes no special allow
ance for a Thanksgiving dinner. but the
mon took after that themselves. Each
mess provides a spread which IL usually
served on tables which are decorated with
flowers and plants, which give It the APP
pearance OF a New England dinner table.
as near as Is possible in the out OF tho
way corners of the earth where the boys
happen TO have their Thanksgiving cele-
brat;on. Plum duff, turkey and mlnce pie
are called upon to supply a thanksgiving
atmosphere to the greatest feast CT the
year in the navy.
) Evcn on Thanksgiving day the men on
hoard battiesh.ps are not supposed to have
any liquor. but skillful smuggling ire
r1ently ACIDS the necessary brandy to the
Naiiors' spread. Twenty years ago one OK
the United States battlesi.lps lay IN
Naples bay on Thanksgiving day. Strict
hrdcrS had been issued against liquor, ana
I'll the men had been warned not t" at
tempt 10 get any srog aboard. The messes
gent representatives ashore to provide the
provisions for the dinner and brought
pack baskets filled with food which passed
Inspection. Roasted turkeys done to a
tempting brown and stuffed with oysters
had 3. prominent place III the baskets.
Before che dinner was ended h1larlty
greater than turkey is capable OF produce
ting attracted the attention OF officers. and
Jimmy Legs. master at arms, was called
wpon to stop the noise. His efforts were In
vain. aud officers began a search in the
hope OF finding the cause OF the unusual
rairth. A rad waa made on the pantfles.
and an examination OF several of the we'll
Drowned turkeys showed thai a. Thin layer
of oyster dressing concealed skins filled
With enough liquor to give $eNeral shlps
crews Il rousing celebration.
After dinner the men have the freedom
nf the vessel. Smoking is permitted every
where, and for 4 few hours the ordinary
seaman is allowed to lounge i'll the best
seats the ship affords and TO smoke cigars
which wculd do credit to the officers
quarters. If the vessel is near the shore
the afternoon is usually devoted to base
ball games. foot races and football. IL the
battleshlp happens to be where shore priv
iieges cannot be granted the ships deck
becomes the recreation ground. and three
legged races. potatoe races. obstacle races.
rope climbing contests, boxing and other
athletic events are engaged in.
Boat races airs also a popular diversion
on Thanksgiving day. Pres are offered
by the officers for the successful crews
and Individual performers, and the men
overcome the stupor Of a heavy dinner
in their effort TO show superior oarsman-
ship.
In the days when Tom Sharkey was
Jimmy Legs on the Philadelphia boxing
was one OF the chief sports will, the men
in the navy. but now the youngsters who
aspire to prize ring honors are discouraged
by older men who are given TO saying. ~
used to be Sharkey's sparrin' pardner.
Washington Times.