[CHAPTER II.]
CHRISTMAS WITH THE FLEET
Gay Day on the Battleships off Port of Spain—"Peace on Earth" the Motto on the Big Guns—Officers' Reception on the Minnesota—Boat Races and Athletic Sports for the Crew—How the Fleet Charged Into Port—Men on Their Good Behavior—Official Visits—Coaling Day.
On Board U.S.S. Louisiana, U. S. Battle Fleet,
Port of Spain, Trinidad, Dec. 28.
THE officers of the battleship Minnesota gave a reception Christmas Day on board their ship to all the officers of the other ships. The visitors were received at the gangway by the officer of the deck, who had the usual side boys stationed there for the guests to pass by. The visitors were first presented to Capt. Hubbard, after which they paid their respects to Admiral Thomas. Then, turning around on the beautifully decorated deck, they saw depending from the great 12-inch guns of the after turret a board festooned with greens, and on it painted in large letters:
"Peace on earth; good will to men!"
The first effect on the visitor was to startle him. What place was there on a warship, whose primary purpose is destruction, for such a motto and in such a place? Some of the more thoughtless visitors thought it was satire, or perhaps a naval man's idea of a grim joke.
Those who thought it a mockery, a satire or a joke were never more mistaken. The sentiment was made the most prominent decoration on the ship in all sincerity. Scores of naval officers pointed to it with pride and said it exemplified truly the spirit of the American Navy. All declared that if there was one thing more than any other which American naval officers and all true Americans wished for it was world-wide peace and brotherly love. It was declared that no better place outside a Christian church could be found for its display than on an American warship. Many an officer said he hoped it would always be prominent on our warships at the Christmas season.