MAN-O'-WAR'S-MAN'S DIET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 192, 15 August 1925, Page 14

MAN-O'-WAR'S-MAN'S DIET.

GOOD FOOD AND PLENTY OF IT. BIG GROCERS' BILLS. On the basis of fifty cents a meal it costs over £8000 a week to feed the men. of one of the battleships, and not the largest either. A visit to the culinary department of one of these ships is most interesting. Underneath the large spot- , less kitchen is something in the nature lof a grocer's shop. A pantry on a large scale, it contains tinned foods of all descriptions; sugar, flour, and salt bins, and anything likely to be needed in the preparation of any variety of dish. Two electric elevators connect it with the kitchen, which keeps 15 cooks busy, and is fitted with electric oveng and steam boilers for the making of soup. In the bakery nearby, where bread, biscuits, rolls, buns, and cakes are turned out by a staff of eight, is another set of electric ovens. The handle which operates the current is similar to that on electric trams. Next to the kitchen is a cool-chamber in which sides of American beef hang ready for the cooks. They are portion of the 24,0001bs still on board. What They Get. A tour of inspection of these departments at any hour of the day finds them, in a condition to delight the most fastidious housewife. A taste of anything in the kitchen or bakery makes one want to stay to dinner. And then one begins to understand that Uncle Sam is a keen disciple of the old saw, that the shortest way to a man's heart is through his mouth. Take, for instance, this Sunday menu, picked at random from the file in the pantry: — Breakfast. —Spanish omelettes, fried potatoes; steamed rice; milk and sugar; raisin bun; fresh fruit; bread; butter; coffee. Dinner. —Noodle soup; roast veal; bread dressing; onion gravy; cream carrots, peas, mashed potatoes; layer cake; ' bread; butter; coffee. Supper.—Sliced tongue cold, beans New York style, fried potatoes, vegetable salad; Mayonaise dressing; raisin cookies; apple sauce; bread; butter; cocoa. Or another during the week: — Breakfast.—Scrambled eggs, fried bacon tinned, hash brown potatoes; coffee; cake; fresh fruit, bread; butter; coffee. Dinner. —Crackers; bean soup; boiled ham; Spanish tomatoes; mashed potatoes; mashed turnips; sliced pickles; bread; butter; coffee. Supper.—Spanish bologna; fried rice; baked macaroni; cheese; fried potatoes; coconut pudding; apple sauce; bread; tea. In port, the men get fresh vegetables and other little items which may be regarded as luxuries.' The Monthly Fare. One ship uses 50,0001b of potatoes a month, 30.0001b of flour, 20.0001b of sugar, and 30001b of butter. During a recent replenishment of stores, the following were among the quantities expected to last 30 17501b biscuits; 5761b tins of bacon; 4961b tins of corned beef; 5281b tins of salmon; 304 of sardines; 52S of tinned sausage (Vienna); 13721b ordinary bacon; 41471b ham;, 56591b fresh pork; 184Slb fresh veal; 32321b fresh, fowl; 40001b dried beans; 5121b canned asparagus; 79Slb canned beans; 17401b canned peas; 46081b canned tomatoes; 12001b each of fresh turnips and carrots; 40001b freh cabbage; ISOOIb canned peaches; 10001b each of canned apricots, of pears, pineapple and prunes; 19201b of jams; 10001b of apple butter; 57961b fresh apples; SSOOIb oranges: 22001b lard; 9001b pickles and 6501b sauerkraut. All of these—there are dozens mora —show how varied is the sailors' bill of fare. >