New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-29
Record Crowd
Swalllps 'Cobs'
On Big Fleet
Thousands Learn Intricacies
of Galley, Breech Mcchan-
ism and Other Ship Points
Vessels Dispense Soon
Expected to Go to Yards
for Repairs Early i'll Jam
uary: Sailors Make Merry

Vice Admiral Albert W. Grant. COM
handing battleship force No. /, sat in
the comfortable cabin of the trim lit
tie yacht Despatch yesterday while she
lay moored to the navy dock at Ninety
seventh Street and the Hudson River.
While the little vessel rocked the ad-
miral shook with laughter. He had
just been asked about the navy's plans
for entertaining the sailors while here
with the Victory fleet, and he replied
simply by repeating the word center
tainment" and choking it off in laugh
ter
Admiral Grant admitted that there
were movies and some shows which
were discre tionary with the command
ers of each ship. but beyond that he
was of the opinion that the entertain
men. was taking care of itself. And
view through the windows of the cabin
settled it light there.
The Nevada and the Oklahoma were
in the otfing. and along the main decks
were dark blurs. On each succeeding
ship as it fell away into the horizon in
gray line there was that dark blur.
which fastened itself on the ship and
remained there until o'clock, right
after colors. Then the blurs began to
spot the river. coming ashore in every
available boat of the harbor pilots ana
auxiliary craft Of the bic ships. 10,
these blurs were but dense masses of
visitors Who swarmed over the ships ali
afternoon, in the biggest visitors day
since the great ships steamed up the
bay.
Big Day for Visitors
The barkers for the harbor boats
yelled themselves hoarsc Here ware.
first boat to the Oklahoma" 'This
way to the battleships, LADY, See
the naval heroes for 25 cents "What's
Your ship? Well take you over" cried
vendors of tickets for the squat-look-
ing, .tubby craft.
Loaded to capacity, these boats chug
over to the lowered gangway. proceed
to annoy the "gobs' by scraping lit
tic paint off in landing, and up the lad
der climbs the crowd The navy car
ned just as many in large motor boats.
the only difference being that the sea
worthy navy boats did not charge pas
scngers, while the others make spc-
cal fcatrc of the fare
.lncoUnted thousands visited the
ships. All the petty officers and guards
with megaphones could say was that
the crowd was the biggest turnout
they'd seen, and they look for another
record breaking throng to-day. The
hours for visitors viii be the same this
afternoon. from | until o'clock. and
preparations have been made to handle
the crowds with the greatest safety.
Admiral Right After All
Outsidc the cabin Of the Despatch.
where Admiral Gr~nt sat and gazed at
the fleet in pers pective. the crowds
Swirled about on the docks The five
points along the Hudson from which
the ships can be reached were ell
tceming with crowds of visitors and
sailors. some with bundles of sweets
tor the happy marines. every one bust
ling in the confusion of yclls and COM
mands and bells and whistles, and it
seemed that the admiral was right
that the entertainment was, indeed
taking care Of itself.
"Gobs" are making the most of their
time. About half the personnel is on
Through, and when they return the re
mainder will enjoy longed for liberty.
Liberal shore leave has been granted
ships belonged to the visitors instead
of the blue clad sailors in their black
wooden toqucs.
"Gobs' Do Entertaining
With most of their buddcs far away
at their homo in Kentucky, or Ohio. or
upstate the handful of sailors do their
bit at entertaining visitors. There's all
the difference in the world between the
sailor on board andthc light, airy per
son he is ashore
Yes, indeed. madam, I'll show YOU
the kitchen said a COB aboard the
Oklahoma yesterday. With his best
company manners he awkwardly ex-
\ planned that it is called the galley, and
of he went explaining the galley, then
the breech mechanism and the fire CON
troll, all of which the visitor liked very
much, particularly the bright polish on
all the metal work.
"Iessum,' replied the sailor to a
question as to whether he had place