The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1913-02-06
JACKIE RELATES
STORY OF LIFE
ON A BATTLESH|P
Robert E. Dillon Gives Incidents of
Service Aboard United
States Man o War.
EXPERIENCE IS PROFITABLE
With Many Pleasurable Divers ons
that Dispel Ordinary Gloom
4 OF Strict Routine.
EXPERIENCE IS PROFITABLE

T.
Rohe.t e. Dillon, a young man ~
/ years ,cf age, gives the TO lowing ac-
count of qLife in the United States
/, Navy the story being an ai-ount
| OF his experiences. He enlisted in
September Mt Norfolk and is visiting
his father, X. A. Dillon. a contractor
| who is in charge OF the construction
iof the new addition to the Cairo
Electric and Traction company's
power house.
Upon enl!stlng at Cincinnati, hts
home city, Dillon was sent for pre-
liminary training aboard the Y. S. s.
Franklin, receiving his apprentice
seamanship degree. This training
consists OF being taught the regular
duties aboard man O. war. After
three months of such work, Dillon
was transferred aboard the u. s. s.
Louisiana, the flagship OF the second
division of the Atlantic fleet. lie
| was on the Louisiana until last
lweek when he was given II day
lfnrlough TO visit with his relatives.
He wi return next Monday to
Norfolk. The ship will sail for
philadelphia on March Bird, the CREW
lof 9lS men going overland from
There TO Washington, to participate
Fin the inaugural parade at the capi-
ttol on March &. Later the Louisiana
viii probably cruise UP and down
| the coast for month or so, until the
spring target practice begins at
Hampton Roads After this pagtici-
patton, the battleshin will probably
make trip around the world as is
customary with the various fleets of
the navy.
| Young Di Ion is looking forward
with much pleasure tc his four years
in the service and evidently does not
regard the time as filled with hard
ships and sacrifices as does the ordi-
nary person, who is. not acquainted
lwith the benefits that are derived
| from such sturdy life. Outside OF
his patriotism, he said his love Of
adventure led him to make the
lchoice OF being in Unce Sans most
iexcellent company for the next quar-
tette OF years.
/ He claims, just as is. the case in
other life pursuits, the navy exist
lence is a trying one, IL the partici-
lpant makes it so. From what he has
seen of it SO far, and the experiences
that he has had so far, he has con.
cluded that he viii be satisfied with
1.-THE course that he has taken.
| Besides the routine work that is
characteristic OF the every day life
aboard battleship. the men are en-
Titled to various diversions that re-
iieve the monotony of the "a hour
duty application that they mus'
| go through. s -
! When the ship is in nort th{
jackies are given shore leave from
IS o'clock in tho evening to O'CLOCK
the next morning. This is especial
ly acceptable to the men when the!
are in foreign port because they
see sights that the ordinary persor
never has an opportunity to witness
at no cost to them whatever.
Once every three months the men
whit on cruise enjoy smoker. a
which time, there are several box
+ ing matches on the program.
{ vaudeville stunt or two, minstre
= show and band concert by tie shil
s musicians go to make up pleasurabl
5 features of the life. The crew ar
, allowed to carry one or more pets il
{ the way Of goat, parrot, monkey
v dog, cat or pig. and the animals ar
{ taught to perform antics that neve
e fail to interest the onlookers.
kI The rules on the ship as regard
: conduct are very strict and must b
q obeyed to the letter. Any dilator
!. adherence is punishable and tn
usual jackie makes it point to b
obedience itself.
4 Good wholesome food is serve
. three times day to the men. 1t !
not all the traditional "pork an