Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-23


London. June S.-The American de-
stroyers have completed their tlrst
month Of active service IN the great
war. They have been favored win
excellent weather. which is . big FAC
tor in anti-submarine warfare Most
of the time they have had sunny skies
and smooth seas, with just enough
souau and storm to put their seaman
shin to test. The favorable weather
conditions made their task OF learn
ing the technique Of anti-submarine
warfare much simpler and easier.
The American boats are assigned
to work hand-in-hand with the British
squadrons, being virtually assimilated
into the British naval machinery here,
A destroyer Is usually out from four
to five days and then returns TO port
for two or three days while coaltng
and loading supplies. Thus every
American sailor gets at least half q
day shore leave practically every
week. -
The Americans take their turn with
the British boats IN all routine work
OF patrol and convoy. The work, al.
though largely routine, IL interesting,
and the Americans have never yet
found time hanging heavy on their.
hands. -.............
The lookout must be constant and
eses must be trained to an unbeliey-
able degree Of keenness. The young
Americans take zealously to this bus,
mess OF finding the periscopie needle
in zoe nautical haystack, and daily re,
ports of Submarines sighted, of obser.
vations made, Of wireless warnings
sent broadcast show that the Amerf
can boats are already making an aver
age Of results almost as satisfactory
as the long.experieneed British boats,
with which they are operating.
There has been no actual battle
as yet between an American destroy.
er and the enemy, although several
reports show that q boats have been
sighted and have been, compelled to
beat a hasty retreat to the depths OF
the sea. - -
An assignment to convoy liner
from home" that IS, from an Amerf
can port, is regarded as an especially
choice morsel. A transatlantic line:
which sights the American flag APP
to escort her to land never
fails to respond with great waving
OF flags and handkerchiefs from her
decks, and there is fine exchange OF
signals in lieu OF hand
shakes. Several American liners can
already testify to the yigilant work
of the American destroyers as con-
voys. Occasionally fortunate liner
finds herself being escorted to port
by American aRd British destroyer
side by side, circling about her like
twin sisters, a visible sign Of the new
alliance.
The American boats were ready for
duty the minute they arrived. This
was something Of a pleasant surprise
for the British naval men, It had, been
expected that some time would be ne.
cessary for certain installations and
but the Americans had every.
thing in readiness and were at once
Q assigned to work.
Shore leave is generous on the Am
erican ships and the American sailor
is constantly in evidence in this vii.
iage, in the countryside roundabout
and in nearby city, where more met.
ropolitan pleasures are available than
restricted 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 It Is considered that his
rate Of pay is considerably higher
than that Of the British tar.
The American gets a dollar every
time we get a shilling" is a common
among the admirfng Brit.
ish seamen. One of the American
sailors favorite ways of showing his
opulenee Is his habit Of always trav.
cling first-class on railroads which
take him from the village ND to the
city, trip Of few miles. The extra
cost is only few pence, but the IN
heard-of idea of a common sailor trav,
cling first-class strikes the populace
IS a startling and audacious maneu-
YER worthy the best traditions Of Am
ericaf extravaganza.
Jackies No Easy Mark
Loca! tradesmen. who expected to
find the visitor an easy mark, soon
learn their mistake, however, for he
Is seldom fooled twice and quickly
learns to demand value for his money.
Tea time in the village now has an
American flavor IN all the little inns
and shops, and farther afieId, even
- % u % b - q "