Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1911-11-23
WITH THE FLEET
interesting Letter of a Sailor in
U. S. II. Service. .-.The
Great Review.
Newport, r. l.,
Nov. 1S, 1911.

Nov 1S, 1911
Editor News:
Some time ago wrote several small
articles relating to the U S. Navy,
and here l come again with a varied
account of our travels in the past year
hoping you will find space in your pa,
per TO print some.
Little need is there for me to relate
our adventures abroad last winter as
the different papers gave a much bet
ter account of our travel in Europe
than am able to, so we will try tC
trace the feet from our last winter
training at Cuba until the present
time. The feet assembled on the first
of May and proceeded South dividing
at the Florida Keys for the variou,
seaport towns along the coast.
Useless is it for me to describe the
pleasant time we bad while at Pensa-
cola aud Galveston. | believe | show
my anpreciation when | state that we
found the peoule Of the South much
more hospitable than the people Of the
Nortn
After two mouths of continual pleas
ure we projected North to spend the
glorious 4th in Bar Harbor, Maine. A
pleasant time was enjoyed by all.
And tt en- for the following few
months we saw the serious side of life
in the Navy. Between battle and tor
pedo practice and the manoevering of
the feet person feels like running
away. About that time we got up
steam and away to some port where
our sorrows were quietly forgotten
an6 once more we looked upon tae
!. sunny side of life
\ On the 2tst Of October the fleet as
embed in Hampton Roads, Va, and
kproceedel to New York on the 22nd
knto participate in the greatest naval re-
Eiew ever held in this country.
The fleet was renI6seHtad by 10S
Ehips OF various types ami as they Ero-
ceeded down the Hudson River on
[Nov. tst dispensing to their vHrious
xhoine ports, the feet was reviewed by
President Taft from the bridge Of his
private Yacht, the "Mayhower 1t
was certainly a grand sight as the
whole Atlantic feet steamed out rast
the statue of Liberty and down New
York Bay There tne feet divided in
squalrons TIE first sailing direct to
Ne9port, r. L., while the second
steamed for Hampton Roads,
Multitndes OF people witnessed the
flset. review from every available place
tlat could be found,
Real winter has set in at last.
Now a few remarks ia regard to the
bard feelings that exist. between the
peonle living III seaport towns anu a
man wearing TIE uniform of sailor.
1t seems that large number of people
seem to think that. q person wearing
this uniform il either a convict or q
vagabon5 Of some description. Little
they know the trials Of perron in
this branch OF tae service and far less
do they care. BY the following will
try and voice my sentiments in regard
to tbs luatt7r
Boys. II vou viii only lister
TN try an3 explain to you,
The excuse of riercirg gIances
At the uniform of blue.
Last night while ont a-strolling
An0 walking thru cue town,
| saw two drunken sailors
An6 one of them was down.
OF course there is a difference
For we will all not DO,
The disgrace Of dlunkard
In the uniform Of blue.
But there are many civilians
That have done the same,
But they have no special mark,
Only their common name.
For / know of people
That surely would disgrace
To look an honest sailor
Sqrarely in the face.
Yes, boys, we're only sailors
Whose hearts are large and true,
Yet let us be respected
In the uniform Of blte.
For God he alone knows
AS be knows any other man,
So let us all pray to him,
And do the best we can.
For when the roll is called in heaven
Well answer just the the same,
But not in the uniform of blue,
Only our common name.
With best wishes from
MOOSE,
The Deep Sea Sailor.