New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-12-31
Sailors 10 Swarm
All Over City to
Greet New Year
All Men of the Victory Fleet
Who Can BE Spared Arc
to Have Shore Leave:
Party on Board New York

The "gobs" Of the Victory Fleet, now
, iying at anchor in the Hudson, will
stand the greatest watch Of their sea-
gong careers tonight. 1t will be the
New Years watch, and every man who
can be spared from the fighting craft
viii be granted shore leave to Join in
the city's welcome to the new year.
The fifteen minute turns ct the
glass, the hot coffee served out to keen
tHein awake and the ceaseless lookout
tor the periscope will be missing in
'o-night's watch. 1t is probable that
the only reports from the watch will
include such things as "a skirt abaft
tho starboard BEAM" or "Two bright
eyes blinking dead ahead"
Scores Of entertainments have been
planned for the sailors, and while Sec
rotary Daniels has ordered frst-class
New Years dinner for the navy, in
! dications are that the "gobs" left in
the city will mostly dine out.
Taps as Usual Tonight
Those who remain on ship tonight
will celebrate the incoming year swing
ing in their hammocks, for the navy
buglers will sound taps at the usual
time.
Those who have friends belonging
10 the port watch of the feet will find
them still on duty, az all of the men
or the starboard watch are now away
on furlough. The port watch will be
given furlough on January ~. If tho
Ace % still here.
Mr. Years Day will see rnanv WIS.,
ltors to the ships, and the superdread
nought New York will stage recep-
ton to 1870 children Of the city. taken
aboard by the Salvation Army. Tho
crew collected $500 while in FOREIGN
waters to entertain a party Of Scotch
lads and lasses, but the Ship got under
way before the party could be held.
The crew, therefore, decided on the
party here, and will spend about S25
on each enid, giving clothing, candy
and toys
Prospects OF q long stav in homo
waters has stirred the Thespian shirts
OF the Oklanoma's crew, and the wires
are puzzlng between here and Wash
ihgeon, concerning permission to pro-
duce the ali-star musical comedy. "The
U; r. Follies," givan with great success
Whlle the snip was lying off Bantry
Bay, Ireland. Fifty of the crew appear
IN the cast.
Scared Germans Back
1t was this ship that sailed across
me Atlantic with the superdreadnoucht
Nevada last July, when a report was
current that the German battle cruisers
were planning to make a raid on tho
destroyer fleets Of the Allies. The Ala
bama and Nevada carry ten 14inch
guns and an officer declared that it
was the knowledge Of this heavv
punch awaiting them OFF the southwest
point OF Ireland that kept the German
cruisers at a respectful distance.
The submarine warfare had been
stopped suddenly, the officer said. and
. few attempts had been made by the
Germans to get out. The destroycrs
could not stand up against these fast
and heavier ships. and the great value
OF the dreadnought class Of fighter was
proved when the Germans abandoned
their plans for dash 1t was while
The big ships were waiting for the
enemy that the Oklahoma produced a
musical show. just to show the men
We're not downhearted, the officer cy
planned with q smile.
There is one thing that the sailors Of
the Victory Fleet want known, and
That IS that every one of them Who