VISIT OF WARSHIP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18257, 28 November 1933, Page 3

VISIT OF WARSHIP

POLITE BRITISH TARS POPULAR IN U.S. PORT Under the heading, “‘Thank "ion Here, ‘Thank You’ There, Shows British Tars in Training Rare,” the Christian Science Monitor reports: “The old wheeze that attributes to the sailor ‘a girl in every port,’ has to be re-written. Along the route of H.M.S. Danae, the cruiser that recently visited Boston, the boys of the ‘King’s navee’ have been compiling a new one, namely, ‘a heap of new friends in every port. “When the sleek British cruiser nosed into her berth at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Mr. S. M. Cowles, secretary of the Army and Navy Y.M.C.A., went aboard to greet tiie officers and men. He offered to do anything possible to serve and entertain. 'No doubt he considered he had taken oil a man-sized job, figuring that he knew what sailors were. But he had not yet learned about tho tars of H.M.S. Danae. “The sailors came ashore and made use of the Y.M.C.A. facilities so courteously offered. They took the proffered writing paper and envelopes and_ said ‘thank you,’ individually and unfailingly. They purchased postage stamps, and chorused ‘thank you.’ They took meals in the cafeteria, used the lounge—and said ‘thank you.’ “Jack ashore. And where did lie wish to go please. A large group wanted to see the Ford plant, ‘thank you.’ Mr. Cowles took them there. With them lie followed tiie guide who pointed and explained. With the guide be listened to expressions of thanks. “Thirty-nine of them wished to see Bunker Hill, ‘please.’ They toiled up the steep byways and gazed upon the spot where the dauntless patriots bad hurled back the - attacking redcoats. They came. They saw. They said ‘thank you.’ Afterward, Mr. Cowles collected 39 firm British handshakes and 39 personal declarations of gratitude. “To round out tin* welcome, Mr. Cowles arranged for a dance to be held at the Y.M.C.A. A committee from the cruiser took care oi refreshments, decorations and music. The Army and Navy Y.M.C.A. Triangle Club girls furnished the partners. The result was an outstanding success. Jack proved to be indeed ‘the lad.’ “At the end of the week’s programme, a number of the men came back to the Y.M.C.A. and thanked members of the staff for courtesy, privilges and entertainment. After that the Danae cast off and sailed for other ports, other greetings, and other conquests. “Some say that 35 officers and 450 men sailed on the Danae. Those who know better declare that 485 of Britain s ambassadors went out on that tide.”