The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-10-24
CLOTHES OF OUR
SAILOR LADD|Es
Apparel Is Supplied to Face All
Kinds Of Weather.
CLING TO BLACK kERcHIEFs
JaeIsiss Must Know How to Care for
Their Clothing and Do Their Own
Laundry Work II Nee
eeSAry.
from the Committee on Public Informa-
tion, Washington. D. CO.

From the Committee on Public Informs
tion. Washington. D. CO.
Shifting seas and changing climes
have made the sailor man familiar
with every aspect of the combat with
weather. Trained to face nature in
the open, he is ready for her vagaries.
whether they be Of the inlandlike
peacefulness or the storm-tossed waves
Of IN ocean In all its fury. He knows
how to dress to meet every condition,
and the navy not only has him suffi-
ciently clad, but has the clothes In his
sea bag and ready for use when he
needs them.
The "gob" likes the cut Of his
clothes and he has a roll and jaunti-
ness about him at all times that pro-
claims his calling. Fashions come
and go and orders may change the
habiliments of the soldier, but not so
with the man Of the sea. His are
eternally blue. the pattern never va
ries and tradition still holds her own
In their making. Years ago in the
days Of wooden sailing ships when sea-
men had to climb masts and dangle
from the stretched-Out ends of yard
arms to do their rudest reefing, con-
venience and custom made necessary
the bell-shaped lower ends of the trous-
ers. And time and manner of con-
structiOn OF ships have never wrought
q change. SH
The sailor. too, clings to his black
Six handkerchief, drnped around his
low-necked blouse tied across his
breast. Latter days have made obso-
lete the white lanyard that went about
his neck. but the silken 'kerchief still
remains. Tradition tells that this
handkerchief. thus worn, originated
with the British tar. for the blacks
once worn In this fashion by men of
the English navy us mark of MOURN
ing for Lord Nelson have never been
removed.
And the sailor has to give a good
deal Of attention to this part of his cos
tune. The handkerchief is square and
four times the usual size. Early morn
ing or just before the Gull for shore
leave Is sounded there is heard on
shipboard a Tapping that sounds like
waves striking the sides of the ship.
This happens when Jack Is getting the
wrinkles out Of his neckwear. The
handkerchief IL stretched out and, a
man taking a good hold on either side,
1t is given an up-and-down shaking un-
til 1t is smooth and glossy. He then
folds It in three-cornered way and.
putting 1t about his neck, ties the ends
in knot that only q real sailorman
knows. 81
Fussy About His Hats.
The sailor is also Just q tribe fussy
about his hats, and he has three of
them. No one has exactly understood
the balance a seaman can get with one
Of the circular pancake caps he perches
at almost any angle on his head. This
cap Is 0rnamented with the band bear
ing the name Of his ship or station or
simply the gilded Inscription ~. 8.
Navy" and he Is always buying a
new one. for the Jack who Is alleged
to have a sweetheart in every port
must have a band for every one of
them Us a souvenir and a sentimental
reminder for the girl he leaves behind
him.
The sailor also has n knitted cap for
winter wear, one TINT can be pulled
down over his ears to cover nearly all
Of his face-somethlng he needs for
deck work, for. the continuous watch
from the ships rail for the sneaking
submarine or to shield him from the
crows nest. But of them all 1t is his
little white hat thnt he loves the most.
With the same skill and equal nom
chalance he can perch this on his head
Mt any angle. always with the appear
nnce Of just about to tumble of but
never falling. This hat he can wash
and from the top there is a little
string. he cnlls "stOp" SO that he can
hang 1t out ON wash day. -.
When boy tosses of his home
clothes for the last time he is given
complete outfit by the navy. Every
bit of It Is Regulation" He must
know just how to fold and store away
each bit according to set and immOv-
able rules. and each piece must have
his name marked on it with indelible
ink. 1t must always be scrupulously
clean and neat. Some of the ships
have a laundry, and II not he must
wash it himself. There are also ships
tailors. but he must, nevertheless,
know how to sew. to dQrn and to mend.
Here is just what sailors wardrobe
includes: Overshirt. two undress jump
ers, dress jumper, three white undress
Jumpers. blue trousers, four white
trousers, dungarees (overalls), jersey
overcoat, rain clothes, two flannel
shirts, two each light and heavy un-
deishlrts, two each light and heavy
drawers, one blue cap. two white hats.
watch cup. two suits Of pajamas, jack
knife, leggings, neckerchief. gloves,
four pair socks, two pairs shoes. rub
Der boots, mattress, two mattress COW