Evening star., 1939-04-30

that the crew tWnlcn consisted OF
Mrs. George R. Washington at the
oars) had independent ideas about
navigation.
To say that the Washingtons re-
ceived a cordial welcome at the
gangway would be overstating the
case. The captain, however, man.
aged to leap nimbly by the ships
officer when a wave tossed his craft
in reach of the landing stage. He
sprinted up the ladder and made his
way to the promenade deck, some
60 feet above water.
He announced that he, George
Roosevelt Washington, was about to
dive overheard. A few coins ratified
at his bare feet. Then prosperous
looking passenger threw him half
dollar, and demanded:
What did you say your middle
name was, boy?"
Captain, sub, I'm just plain
George Washington to you!'
They Know Their Tourists.
With that, George dived over
board in his opera hat His black
body made a perfect arc, striking
clean, with scarcely a splash. The
diver went all the way under our
ship, which draws some 33 feet.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Washington re-
trieved her husbands hat and
dived for the coins that 'applauded
his feat.
The Joe Louis Monach was only
one of swarm of homemade row.
boats manned by George Washing
tons. There was the Mae West, ~
the Georgia Peach" the Queen
Mary etc. Many passengers were
weary of the old coin-diving stunt,
but the swimmers revived their
jaded interest with a running fire
OF repartee.
I'm a British subject" called
a lady passenger, why should toss
coins to a lot of George Washing
. tons?"
assS.:de lydy, me lydy," shouted a
colored boy, "Ah'm not George WASH
tngton-really now. All only use the
ny1ne for Ameican tourists. Me
proper nyme is Nelson-Lawd
Nelson!"
When the low coast of Barbados
came over the horizon this morn
ing it seemed monotonous until
details began to emerge-Windmills
Qike those of Holland or SPAIN
whirling in the trade wind, tall
palm trunks with feather duster
tops, and, finally, a thriving harbor
for scores of sailing and auxiliary
craft.
Illusions of the Past.
Our anchorage was almost a mile
off shore. Inland British freighter
was taking on cargo of sugar
from lighters. Natives of Barbados
on our ship expressed the opinion
that the port could have a channel
and dock for steamships except
that several influential people own
the lighters, you know"
We went ashore in launch. 1t
was a bright day, and the channels
of the water front were choked with
sailing craft-traders from the
Caribbean, Trinidad and South
AIIleIlCd, OlSCIldISlIlS 1Iult ana all
manner of merchandise, and load
ing sugar, rum, molasses.
The scene might have been a
throw-back on the Golden Age of
the Spanish Main. There were
two, three and four masted schoon-
ers, fishing boats of many types,
and great hum of activity on the
wharves. The illusion of Barbados
as 1t was century ago was created
by the fact that steamships anchor
off shore and pleasure craft avoid
the busy commercial water front.
In narrow, water front streets were
ship chandler shops ancient enough
to have outfitted many a buc-
cancer. One saw such signs as
Sailors Knives" Turn buckles, 3"
Rigging" Water Casks" etc.
The port of the island of Baroa-
dos is called Bridg, British West In
dies. 1t has its Trafalgar Square,
its statue of Nelson, it's Government