The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1907-11-21
ON
BOARD A OF WAR

Thanksgiving and Fourth of July are In
the same class on United States battle
ships. Both are holidays for the jackies.
Both are celebrated with games and
sports. Turkey and cranberry sauce are
the only things which d~ifferentiate the
last Thursday in November from the
United States seaman's Fourth of July,
when all the men IN the navy put on their
Sunday clothes, have a big feast ana are
NOT compelled to work.
With the dawn of Thanksgiving day on
a United States battleship. regardless OF
whether she Is In Manchuriaa waters or
skirting the coast OF the isthm,ls OF Fan
anna, all colors are thrown to the wlliu.
Great American flags are raised TO each
OF the mastaeads and lines OF brilliant SIG
nal flags extend from the prov and stern
to the mastheads. The decks are washed
down and made sh.pshape, 1iags are urap-
ed all over the mess rooms and III every
part of the officers quarters, and at nooi
the privilege to all parts of the snip is
extended to the crew, and the rear ceie-
brat!on begins.
The government makes no special allow
ance for a Thanksgiving dinner, but the
men hook after that themselves. Each
mess provides a spread which Is usually
served on tables which are decorated WIN
flowers and plants, which give 1T the ap-
pearance OF q New England dinner taole'
dS IledI as Is DOSSIClt III 1hN 80
way corners of the earth where the boys
happen 10 nave their Thanksgiving cele-
bration. Plum duff, turkey and mince pie
are called upon TO supply a thanksgiving
atmosphere 10 the greatest feast OF the
year in the navy.
Even on Thanksgiving day the men on
board battleShtps are not supposed 10 haNe
any liquor, but skillfui smuggling ire
Guently adds the necessary brandy to the
sailors spread. Twenty years ago one or
the United States b~artlcships lay In
Naples bay on Thanksgiving day. Strict
orders had been issued against liquor, and
Ill the men had been warned not to at
tempt to get any grog aboard. Inc inesses
GENT representatives ashore to provide the
provisions for the dinner and brought
nack baskets filled with food which passed
inspection, Roasted turkeys done to a
tempting brown and stuffed with oysters
had a prominent place in the baskets.
Before the dinner was ended hilarity
hreater than turkey is capable OF produc-
Ing attracted the attention of officers, ana
Jimmy Legs, master at arms, was called
upon to stop the noise. His efforts were In
vain. and officers began a search in the
hope of finding the cause OF the unusual
mirtil. A raid was made on the pantrles,
and an examination of several of the we'll
w turkeys showed that a thin layer
Of oyster dressing concealed skins filled
Win enough liquor 10 give several si'P9
crews a rousing celebration.
After dinner the men have the freedom
of the vessel. Smoking is permitted every
where, and for a few hours the ordinary
seaman Is allowed to lounge in the best
seats the ship affords and to smoke cigars
which would 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. II the
battleship happens to be where shore priv
+, ileges 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 are also a popular diversion
on Thanksgiving day. Prizes 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 oarsInan-
ship.
In the days when Tom Sharkey was
Jimmy Legs on the Philadelphia boxing
was one OF the chief sports with 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. Il
used TO be Sharkey's sparrin' p~ardner.' =
| Washington Times,