The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-08
d, S. TARS IN. WAR
AMERICAN FL0TILLA IN EURO.
PEAN WATERS IN LIVELY DAYS.
People Of English Villages Get Many
Surprises as Result of the Interming-
ling Of Prosperous Men From Column
bias Fleet Of Sub Destroyers.

The British Port Base of the Ameri
can Flotilla, via London. June 6.-The
American destroyers nave completed
their first month Of active service in
the great war. They have been favored
with excellent weather. a big factor in
antisubmarine warfare. with just
enough squall and storm TO put their
/ seamanship to test The favorable
weather conditions make their task of
learning the technique of anti-subma.
rine warfare much simpler and easier.
The American boats are assigned to
work with the British squadrons, being
virtually assimilated into the British ma.
val machinery here. A destroyer is usu-
| ally out four or five days and then re-
turns to port for two or three days
coaling and loading supplies Thus
every American sailor gets at least half
day shore leave practically every
week.
Constantly on Watch.
The Americans take their turn with
the British boats in all routine work
of patrol and convoy. The work, al
though largely routine is interesting
and the Americans have never yet
found time hanging heavy on their
hands The lookout must be constant
and eyes must be trained to an unbe-
lievable degree of keenness. Young
Americans take zealously 10 this bust.
ness of finding the periscope needle in
the nautical haystack and daily reports
Of submarines sighted. of observations
made Of wireless warnings sent broad
cast show that the American boats al.
ready are making a fine average Of re-
suits
There has been no actual battle as
yet between an American destroyer
and tHe enemy, although several reports
show that U.boats have been slghated
and have been compelled TO beat a
hasty retreat 10 the depths OF the sea-
Unusual Choice MorseI
] An assignment to convoy a liner
from home is regarded as an especial
/ ly choice morsel. a transatlantic liner
which sights the American flag ap.
/ preaching to escort her 10 land never
/ fails to respond with a great waving
of flags and handkerchiefs and there is
fine exchange of wigwas signals in
| lieu Of handshakes. Several American
liners can already testify 10 the vigorous
work of the American destroyers as con.
voys. Occasionally a fortunate liner
finds herself being escorted % port by
American and British destroyers side
by side circling about her like twin sis
ters, a visible sign Of the new alliance.
Shore Leave Comes Often.
Shore leave is generous on the Ameri-
can ships and the American sailor is
constantly in evidence in this village
in the countryside roundabout and in a
nearby city. where more metropolitan
/ pleasures are available than in the re-
stricted limits Of this little place. The
people OF the towns have taken the
American sailor and his strangely
spendthrift ways right into their hearts.
The American sailor seems always to
| have money. which Is not so strange
when il is considered that his rate Of
pay is considerably higher than that Of
the British tar.
The American gets dollar every
! time we get a shilling" is a common ex-
preston among the admiring British
seamen. one OF the American sailors
ways Of showing his opulence is his
habit OF always travelling first class on
the railroad which takes him from the
village up TO the city. a trip OF a few
miles. The extra cost is only a few
pence, but the unheard-of idea OF
common sailor travelling first-class
strikes the populace as worthy that
best traditions OF American extrava.
gance
Afternoon Teas" Are Popular.
Tea time IN the village now has an
American flavor In AN the little inns
and shops and farther afield even well
into the wonderfully green countryside
and along the cliffs which remind the
seamen Of the Palisades along the Hud.
son anchorages. one may any afternoon
find groups q British and American
sailors drinking their tea and swapping
yarns In truly seamau,y fashion The
American quickly accilmates himself 20
the afternoon tea habit and finds il an
amiable and satisfactory substitute for
other things, with plenty Of opportunity
for confidential. chats with his new al.
lies. t.t.-
There are other places where one may
almost always find groups Of blue-uni.
formed Americans one Us the local Gem.
etery In a green wood atop the cliffs.
where are buried many victims OF Ger.
man submarines. whose graves are kept