Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-12-28
CHRISTMAS ON SHIPBOARD
The Bluejackers Enjoy a Happy
Christmas.
The FLEET IN HOLIDAY ATTIRE
TIE Holiday Spirit Pervaded ofncers
and Men on the American BAT.
tleships.


i
tleshlps.
Port Of Spain, Trinidad. Dec. 26.--It
has been as happy a Christmas for tia
thousands of officers and men on the
American battlehip fleet as 1t could
possibly be away from home. The
holiday spirit pervaded the entire
fleet. The men on the torpedo boat
hotilla. however. could not join their
fellow3ackies on shore because they
were under orders to sail
At $ o'clock yesterday morning the
torpedo boats. after a delay or "a
hours incident to the repair Of the
damages done Tuesday when one OF
the propellors Of the whipple fouled
the anchor chain Of the collier For
tuna. sailed for Para Brazil. on the
way to the Pacific
On the way out OF the harbor the
torpedo boats firsed salute to Al
miral Evans flag floating from the
main truck OF the batteshlp Connect.
cut.
The bsttleship fleet at anchor ere
presented beautiful sight Each OF
the ships In celebration OF the day
was decorated with flags and Christ
mas green from masthead to water
line The decorations, however, did
NOT consist OF frs, hemlocks and
! sptlces. the evergreens Of he north.
but Of the tropical palms and bamboos
which added a touch of strangeness
to the sight as viewed from some or
the warshIps.
i Trees in the Wardrooms
The day was one on jolliflcasion
among officers and men. There were
Christmas trees In the wardrooms %
ali the ships bearing gifts for the Of
ficers from wives, children. other rel
atives. sweethearts and friends to
show that, though many miles from
home. they were not forgotten Most
Of the gifts were presented while
| the ships were In Hampton Roads
with the understanding that tn pack
ages were not to be opened until
Christmas day.
Considerable sport was furnished
by races Of boat crews from the va
rlous battleshps. The race for
dinghies was won by crew from the
Louisiana, while representatives. from
the Kansas proved victorious In the
race for officers. In addition to the
regetta comic athletic contests were
! held on all the ships and there were
numerous boxing contests.
Yesterday afternoon the officers OF
the Minnesota entertained all the
other officers Of the fleet at a very
pleasant reception.
! In the evening MANY dinner parties
were given and there was great jollity.
5000 BIuejackets Ashore.
A large lumber o. officers spent the
day ashore sightseeing and snapshoot-
ing the interesting scenes OF tropical
life 10 be found here. Great squads Of
liberty men landed from the fleet In
the afternoon, and 1t was estimated
that at one time there were between
5000 and 1000 American b'uejackets
ON shore.
The behavior or the sailors has
been excellent. and they seem to be
thoroughly enjoying their stay here.
The weather yesterday was inc aud
the waters In the gulf had the placid
appearance Of midsummer
Secretary Of the Navy Metcalfs
Merry Christmas message was read
to the men on all the ships It said:
Evans, Port cf Spain. Trinidad
The department extends to you. Of
flcers and men under your command.
the best wishes for Merry Christ
mas
(Signed) METCALFs
The greeting was received with
cheers
This beautiful Spanish town y at
present locking its best, and Christ
mas. with its warm sunshine, was
greatly en,ivened by the thousands OF
uniformed visitors who at one time OF
the day or another paraded its hand.
some thoroughfares.