Republican farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1810-1920, 1918-02-22
CLUB HOUSE FOR
AMERICAN FLEET
TO Be ENLARGED
Admiral Sims Gives Approx;
al to Project Made Neces-
sary by Increases.
TALENT rs SUPPLIED
BY MEN FROM SHIPS
Splendid Entertainments
Given in Which Soldiers
and Sailors Take Part.

Base American Flotilla in British
Waters, Feb. 14-(Correspondenc of
The Associated Press 1.-THE United
States Naval Mems club house. the
shore home of the sailors, is to be en-
larged. Vice Admiral William S.
Sims already has given his approval
to the project which is made neces-
sary by the ever-increasing size of
the American force here. The club
was built from funds contributed by
generous Americans in London and is
the most popular rendezvous ashore,
not only for t'1o sailors and their own
officers, but also for British sailors
and soldiers and their officers as well.
Vice Admiral Sims is a frequent Wis
itor and it is not uncommon to see a
British admiral or commodore drop in
| to watch the sailors at play in the
'ronly electrically lighted, steam heated
club in Ireland
| Nightly shows have just been intro
duced and are a regular thing with
big shows on Saturday nights. The
nightly affairs usually consist of
movies, always with a comic film. but
the weekend entertainment includes
| pictures and acts by talent from the
ships and from among the British
Tommies ashore, and it is surprising
what a great variety of talent there
is among Americans and British here.
The newest thing is a series of car
toons by sketch artists discovered in
the fotilla. These cartoons on hap
penings in the foti11a OF about town
/ "a
loud outlaws.
One which will be appreciated by
the folks back home depicted a de-
stroyer dropping shells all AROUND the
German submarine U-53 which raided
shipping off Nantucket, at which time
the very same ships and men who
are today chasing U-boats picked up
the crews. In the picture the fright
ened suibmarie commander is peep
ing out of the coming tower. Below
are the words: Soak him fellows,
it's our old friend the U-53.'
The newest feature of the club is
a well-equipped department store or
canteen where American sailors and
officers can purchase a great variety
of necessities and Injuries at reason
able prices. The kitchen, which is in
charge of chief petty officer from
Newport, R. L, who won a reputation
feeding thousands in the American
army, turns out the best food ashore.
The dry provisions come from the
United States; the fresh meats are
bought ashore. War bread has not
yet invaded this kitchen.
To a chaplain who has just arrived
there from Philadelphia to help watch
over the spiritual welfare of the sail
ors has fallen the task of searching
out the best of the ship talent for the
special entertainments. This padre, :"
who came originally from Schenec-
tady where he used to be able to call
everybody by their first name, sig
nalized his arrival among the sailors
by bursting into poetry with the fol-
lowing result:
Raise high now your glasses
A health to the Navy
Together we'll drink ere we leave here
tonight;
The Navy forever. In battle victori-
Gus,
Strong may her men be, and valiant
in fight!
May God prosper eve"
Her highest endeavor
And make her bulwark for Country
| and right!
Drink now. to the Admiral
Raise high your glasses
We men of the Navy, to him be ye
true!
Thankful are we for his wisdom and
courage
For the things he has done and the
things he will do.
May God give him strength
Till we conquer at length
For together we fight for the Red
White and Blue!
And last, let US drink
To our comrades gone from US,
Who have given their lives in the
fight with the foe;
The price they have paid is the price
of our freedom!
A tribute of praise for their service
we owe.
Their warfare is done;
Tie laurels are won,
Which a nation, to honor their deeds,
will bestow.
The toast was drunk at mess times