South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-28
AME RICAN SAILORS
HAVE SHORE HOME
Establish Fine Clubhouse at
Base Port for tackles of
Destroyed Fleet.

BASE AMERICAN F'LOTILLA ~
BRITISH WATERS. Sept. Is
Twenty thousand dollars gwen by
Americans I'm London has been spent
in providing shore home for the
American blucjackets in the de-
stroyer Hotilla based on this port.
It's correct name Is the United
states Naval Mems clubhouse. 1t
probably is the most cheerful spot
in town for il combines everything
tc make the American sailor as
happy and contented as he can be
thousands Of miles from home.
II u had been built ia the United
states this shore home could not
combine many more OF the charac-
tcristic American features OF up-to
dateness and cleanliness. 1t is
steam heated throughout. an almost
Unheard of luxury in this country.
and n boasts a restaurant that
would make some Of the leading
American restaurants freen with
envy. II spells comfort 70 the sail
or who brings his British tar friend
there with a display of pride.
Modern Cooking.
The cooking is done in full view
cf the diners ola huge gas ranges Of
the most modern type There is
also grill A feature is a quick
lunch counter patterned after those
so popular in American cities. In
two large cOffe urns is made the
best of that beverage to be had in
the port There is some call for
cocoa but not much for tea. The
culinary department is in charge of
a commissary steward from the TO
tilla tender.
There is a piano player. two gram
aphones, and on special occasions
string orchestra from the flotilla
tender. There are two dormitOries
IN the clubhouse containing alto
eether % beds designed to accom-
lnodate that mary men ashore or
overnight liberty. These accOmmo- /
dations can easily be increased to +.
100. There never has been ade- /
Quate sleeping accommodation in |
the private homes ashore.
Fine Bath Facilities.
a tiled bathroom equipped with SIX
shower baths of the newest design |
Heavy white porcelain wash basins
and other fixtures OF the same ma
terial help TO give the place a clean, !
substantial appearance. In one cor |
ner is a series of steam pipes for !
driving clothing and just outside this I
room are linen closets where clear !
clothing is Kept.
In another part OF the house two |
american pool tables enable the Z
b,ueiackets to improve their skill
with the che. For the more studious
there are several reading rooms
equipped with a library donated by
a British society. Reading matter F.
such as newspapers and magazines.
are also sent TO the men from Lon
con. but there are not nOugh 10 sat /
isfy the sailors wants and they
complain of an absence of readirs /
material from America. To fill this /
want a NOV ement Is under way 80
interest Americans at home in send |
ing old magazines and books TO tie
men. These can be forwarded !
through the American embassy in |
London.
In the concert hall feature OF the |
club opened nearly two months ago |
moving pictures and vaudeville by !
talent from the ships continue 20 /
entertain the men every Saturday /
night Last week many of the men |
saw themselves in the movies. the /
pictures being those of the arrival |
90 tho first dcstroN-ar- fIOtflIa Their I
officers always attend those shows /
and invariably bring along British |
officers with whom they are cooper |
atinS so successfully IN the bust |
ness Cf hunting the elusive subma- /
Tine