The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-12-06

To prevent the rain and sea water
which broke over the bows from wash
ing down, we were obliged to keep
the scuttle Tin the deck) closed, so
that the forecastle was nearly air.
tight. In this little wet, leaky hole
we were all Quartered, in an atmos-
phere SO bad that our lamp. which
swung in the middle from the beams,
sometimes actually burned blue, with
a large circle of foul air about it,"
1.-THE usual meal, day after day, for
men standing hard watches in icy
blasts, snow and hail. was pot of hot
/ tea. hard biscuit and slice of cold
salt beef"
As to sanitary conditions, they may
be judged by this entry in Dana's log
covering the passage of the Cape,
which lasted month:
mot razor, nor a brush, nor a
| drop of water, except rain and spray,
had come near us all the time; for we
were on allowance Of fresh water; and
who would strip and wash himself in
salt water on deck. in snow and ice,
with the thermometer at zero?"
Crews Have Walters of Their Own.
What is the picture of conditions on
shipboard today, contrasted with this!
Here is a paragraph from shipping
board inspectors report on the living
quarters aboard 5,000-ton cargo
steamer built in 1917 by the emergency
fleet corporation and engaged in over
seas traffic:
"The crews quarters were aft. They
contained u pipe berths, each made
up with a good mattress, pillow and
blankets supplied by the United States
shipping board. There were 100 cubic
feet of air space for each man as pro-
vided by law, and 16 feet of floor
space. Each man had berth of his |
own, and not more than two berths
were placed in tier.
1.-THE forecastle was situated aft,
out of danger from mine explosions.
1t was ventilated by three large ports,
and lighted by electric lights. Each
man had a steel full-length locker for
his clothes. There were shower baths
for both sailors and firemen.
''The ship was fitted with a tank for
iced drinking water, to which the crew
had access at all times.
meals were served in a mess room,
or dining saloon, the crew and the
fremen each having mess of their
own, with a messman to serve their
food. The table was clean, with good
china and other accessories. At the
time of my visit there were fresh
peaches and tomatoes on the table,
which was being set up for supper" !
The luxury Of this would have up
set an old-time sailor man, who, when
a heavy wave washed the crews kid
of beef over the lee rail in its passage
from the galley, was forced to go sup {
PEERLESS to bed.
An interesting sidelight on the vic
.ualing of modern crews is afforded !
oy the fact that in these times the t
same bill of fare is served in forecas-
lie and cabin on American ships. Jack
,ets just as much and just as good
God as the officers. The bill is made :
,ut by the food administration at
Washington, and is the same for all
hips under the flag.
1t provides ample meals, in which
resh meats abound, even on the long y
st voyages.
What Jack Eats When at Sea.
The bill of fare which accompanies
he report quoted show that Jack fares =
etter at sea than many of the gov -
rnmeEt clerks at Washington, who
ely upon boarding houses and res
for their daily bread. =
Here is a sample Monday morning
reakfast:
tommy and milk Hot beef steak I
Hot boiled potatoes
read and butter Coffee N
This is Tuesdays dinner:
arley Soup Roast Mutton
Lima beams Hot boiled potatoes
Bread and butter =
Bread and butter pudding
Thursdays supper is as follows:
aked pork and beans Corn beef hash
OF boiled potatoes Cheese
Stewed fruit Bread and butter
Tea
Sundays dinner bill calls for toma-
soup, stewed chicken and vegetables
I'd plum pudding. Butter is served
all three meals, and milk and sugar
tn coffee.
The report quoted continues:
"The cooking on this ship was found
be first class, the food being well -
epared and palatable. The cooks
re young and intelligent, and took
eat pride in their work" a
In order that the supply Of cooks 4
. the country's merchant ships shall
t fall below the greatly increased
1uirements of the new fleet, the
piping board is conducting two
FOOLS for cooks and bakers, on spe- ~
lily fitted ships stationed at Boston -