The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1918-05-04


tain Their Fellows.
The British navy is no place for
peSSimiSt. There are probably more
smiles TO be seen on the faces of the
men who make their homes on British
war vessels than are TO be found
among any similar group of men in the
world. This is especially true of the
Grand Fleet, where the continual rou-
tine of the last three years might have
been expected TO develop some degree
of depression, but which, on the con-
trary, has brought together a great
community of healthy, happy whole
some men,
1t was the privilege of the New York
Suns correspondent TO live for several
days aboard his majesty's battle cruis-
er - and to enter into the life and
spirit of the men aboard this great
fighting machine Most OF those who
make their home in the wardroom had
been stationed aboard the ship for two
years, some of them for a much long
er period, and in the whole lot there
was not one case of the 'blueS," not
one "wet blanket" From the bridge
to the stokehold there was nothing but
contentment and willingness to serve
uncomplainingly without the slightest
trace of bitterness or regret over sacri-
fees made for the cause.
Fleet Makes Thrilling Sight
There is nothing particularly thrill
ing about going aboard u battle cruiser
in the darkness of early evening, but
to awaken in comfortably furnished
cabin formerly the quarters of an adj
miral and to look through the portfolio
upon long lines of enormous gray ships
riding at anchor upon a harbor glisten-
ing in the sunlight 5 sufficient to gIve
the thrill Of a lifetime
Something in the atmosphere of the
northern country where the Grand
Fleet has its home gives health with
every breath. On the surrounding
shores of the harbor the Vikings of old
spent their winters and assimilated
the strength that made them the ter
ror of their enemies, and on the same
/ shores almost every day may be seen
the officers and men of the fleet taking
their exercise. Parties of men In run
ming clothes dash from small boats and
play at hare and hounds with the same
vim as they did in the early days of
their youth. Others play golf on a
/ course laid out over the peat bogs and
enjoy it as much as if they were
driving the bail over the finest green
sward in the kingdom.
Among the battleships are the usual
comforts of a well-ordered home. The
wardrooms have graphophOnes and
billiard tables, and a weekly motion
picture show is given on the decks.
Home Talent Gets Opportunity.
piled, which goes about from vessel to
vessel. 1t anchors alongside and the
talent Of the visited ships produces a
/ creditable performance. The theater
ship is called the Gourka, and its
! periodic visitations are anticipated few
erishly by the crew Of every ship in
the fleet.
PefnapS the nappleSL lot OF any
aboard the ships Of the Grand Fleet
are the midshlpmen. They have all the
energy and pentup enthusiasm of boys
in preparatory school, and when they
\ begin to enjoy themselves in their
! "gunroom" the racket can be heard In
/ every nook and Granny of their ship.
! They take a stranger into their midst
with a straightforwardnes that is
/ touching and they sing their songs In
/ a manner to bring up memories Of col
/ Iege fraternity houses and prep school
dormitOries.
! The same cheeriness that pervades
/ the mess halls is to be found in the
captains quarters, where in bright
comfort the skipper reads his books,
arranges his program Of work for the
men and has his being in peaceful Sc
clusion. There is something clean and
wholesome and desirable about the life
of the feet, and records show that few
men who have entered into the work
/ have ever died Of melancholia.