The river press., 1912-12-18
CHRISTMAS WITH THE
TO|LERS OF THE SEA
YANDLUBBERS that you are. did you
ever reflect that there Is a world
where Christmas is as meaning

where Christmas is as meaning
less u day as the Gath or 26th |
of December? Did you ever think far
enough beyond the spicy vapors OF
your own plum pudding to realize that
the seafaring folk were living their
Christmas day as If they knew naught
of its fame? They do know what it
means. however, as well as ever do
you. but winds lash and waves thump
on the 25th as on every other day. and
it's foolish sailorman who counts
on turkey or holly berries. The chances
are he'll see little of them.
Christmas is disobliging enough to
come in the very beginning of the mad
dest weather, and the weather never
gives way one inch. The pilotboat
people and the life savers make pa
thetic little attempts at holding holi
day. but ten to one they will be moth
ing more than attempts. IF the sea
chooses to make merry in it's own
way the sea commands and must be
obeyed.
The captains of the life saving sta
tions along the beach try each year to
celebrate with their men. A turkey is
always brought to the headquarters
and good meal prepared around it
as star attraction. But anywhere
from drumsticks to nuts and raisins
may come the signal from the coast
! guard Perhaps a crab fishing boat
has capsized; perhaps it is a big ship
going down-the result Is the same
The Christmas turkey is left to grow
cold. the mince pie is forgotten. and
it's off to launch the lifeboat and then
to the oars and away. Night or day
the summons may come. If at night
there are a flashing of lights on the
beach and fight, man against storm.
in the blackness of the surf.
On the Iightship provision is made for
good dinner, but there the pleasure
ends. Day and night the ship rides at
anchor ten miles off shore Always the
changing Of the fog bell Is heard and
the lights are watched. and break in
the monotony there is none, save for
better bill of fare than usual and an
extra glass of grog. then back to the
bell and the lights again, and men for
get what Christmas celebrated or that
1t was celebrated at all
It was during the carving of the last
turkey that the bells rang f3ercely, for
a fog was driving in past the heads,
and lights were being enveloped In it.
Two new men were among the crew,
and they sprang. frightened. away from
the table. The old sailors assured
them that 1t was no trouble out of the
ordinary, but they could not be induc-
ed to come back to the dinner. They
are blase now and are laughing at
other new men, but their companions
have not forgotten to mention the din
ner that they missed by gazing shud-
deringly into winter fog and expect.
ing the death of themselves or some
one else every moment
Christmas Is a lottery to the pilots.
No man OF them knows when his turn
Is coming to guide ship into port. and
ships must be guided when 1t Is their
captains will. Some of the pilots may
have snatch of the day at home in
the midst of Santa Claus gossip and
tin horns and stuffed stockings. Who
ever the other pilots may be, they are
on the water with good dinner stow.
ed away awaiting its opportunity,
which may or may not come. II q
ship Is suddenly sighted. then never
mind the dinner.
The life on the great steamers and
sailing vessels is more systematic, and
It is worth while to prepare for as
much merriment as the homesickness
of empty sea view will permit There
may be Christmas tree and music
and dancing: but, be you seadog OF
landlubber. it's all the same-yor
would rather be at home over table
that does not roll and spend a goot
Christian Christmas with all Its tra
ditional nonsense San Francisco Call