The first of June 1914 was a sad day in the US Navy, when SecNav Josephus Daniels issued General Order 99, which effectively prohibited “the use or introduction for drinking purposes of alcoholic liquors on board any naval vessel, or within any navy yard or station.” This put an end to the officer’s wine mess, and no doubt made 31 May 1914 something of a wicked debauch throughout the fleet as the officers put their backs into draining the remaining stores before the ban went into effect.
Navy sailors had already lost their access to their “spirit ration” in 1862 (they got a nickel a day in extra pay as compensation), and even beer was forbidden them entirely in 1899.
On my first visit to HMS Broadsword, a veteran British frigate of the Falklands campaign, I was surprised to see a small reefer in the (really quite comfortable by US standards) enlisted men’s quarters which carried each tar’s ration of two beers per day. Everyone told me that it was quite sensible arrangement, and pretty much forestalled the kind of excesses all too common to US Navy ships entering foreign ports (or home ports, for that matter) after months at sea. And a former roommate who had flown Harriers aboard HMS Invincible told me that after supper, the officers not actually on watch would retire to the bar and no few of them would retire to their quarters hours later, having fully blown out their gaff.
So it was with a degree of surprise that I note VADM Russ Crane of the Royal Australian Navy – a man whose photograph hints at a propensity to enjoy life in all its many aspects – cracking the whip on his sailors:
Addressing the entire Navy by video link, Vice-Admiral Russ Crane threatened to ban alcohol consumption during port visits while overseas, and to increase shore patrols unless there was total cultural reform. He warned mariners that they would be subject to mandatory breath tests, drug testing and curfews if they did not radically improve their behaviour.
His stern message came after the release earlier this year of a 400-page report detailing sordid behaviour on-board HMAS Success in 2009.
Success - a perhaps unfortunately named ship – thrust herself into the headlines down there when a long, hard look revealed that some crew members had engaged in competitions not entirely of the nature designed to bring credit to the service:
The report examined allegations of a “predatory culture” and drunken misconduct on the ship, with sailors accused of preying on young female recruits and putting bets on how many colleagues they could sleep with as part of a “sex ledger”.
Among the embarrassing revelations were reports that mariners could earn extra “points” by sleeping with a female officer or for having sexual intercourse with a lesbian. Points were also awarded for sex in adventurous or outlandish locations, such as the top of a pool table. At the end of the tour the eventual winner would receive a cash prize.
Perhaps the admiral’s threats really will lick his sailors into shape, so long as he’s not seen as going off half-cocked. And of course, it is his responsibility to remain abreast of their behavior once he’s atop the saddle as fleet commander. Still, for all the press releases, these were the actions of a handful. For the vast majority of sailors who enjoy their pint in quiet comfort once ashore, this is certain to come as something of a blow.
And privately, while it’s tempting to try and get your head around why this story is coming to a crescendo just now, I have only one comment:
The top of a pool table is “outlandish”?
Huh.
Lex, you are a bad man
Lex comes through…
With a really penetrating analysis..
About a potentially deep, deep, subject..
But one that’s extremely hard to comprehend..
It’s only hard to comprehend if you don’t use your head…
You know, I’m gonna have to give this a try…and see if I can beat the moderation gremlin that oft besieges me of late. Which, by the way, thanks for passing that along my way. Humph!
Hard to say this, but things seem to be coming to a head with the Aussies…
Considering how sticky the situation is..
OOPS, I screwed up…and broke the train…of thought..
But I’ve been in tight situations before..
And have the situation well in hand..
Burma Shave.
Look, anything more than a mouthful is a waste …You wouldn’t want to grope around a problem to find a deep hole that needs attention and then not have the manpower to bring the conjunction to a satisfying outcome for all parties together……really, if one party leaves feeling unfulfilled, how could we expect them to seek a return to port, especially if the vessel finds a snug harbor ?
Friction between co-joined forces can leave a long lasting feeling of dissatisfaction and wanting for a final dispersion….on both parties….leading a need for a big cleanup….
Or maybe I’ve stretched this out bit too much in all this excitement……
The usual suspects…
“He who would pun would pick a pocket.” Said Dr. JOHNSON. Corner or side I wonder?
I imagine its more outlandish due to the public nature of most pool tables.
And maybe they didn’t want to give anyone any new ideas of “outlandish”
With all the levity, which I like very much, a passing of a CMH winner from the Vietnam insanity died last Wednesday at the age of 70. From
http://www.jerrypournelle.com/mail/2011/Q1/mail667.html#Wednesday
Subject: Damn right I’ll forward it…..
You’re a 19 year old kid.
You’re critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam.
It’s November 11, 1967. LZ (landing zone) X-ray.
Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense from 100 yards away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming in.
You’re lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you’re not getting out.
Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you’ll never see them again.
As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.
Then – over the machine gun noise – you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter.
You look up to see a Huey coming in. But.. It doesn’t seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.
Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you.
He’s not MedEvac so it’s not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he’s flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway.
Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come. He’s coming anyway.
And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you at a time on board.
Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety.
And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!! Until all the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm.
He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.
Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman, United States Air Force, died last Wednesday at the age of 70, in Boise, Idaho
May God Bless and Rest His Soul….OR PEOPLE WHO KNEW HIM SHARED HIS MEMORY WITH PEOPLE THEY KNEW AND LOVED.
I bet you didn’t hear about this hero’s passing, but we’ve sure seen a whole bunch about Lindsay Lohan, Tiger Woods and the bickering of congress over Health Reform.
Medal of Honor Winner Captain Ed Freeman
Shame on the American media !!!
Now… YOU pass this along to YOUR mailing list. Honor this real American.
Please.
Forwarded to me by Professor Greg Benford. Damn right I’ll forward it.
Not to diminish in any way the actions of a truly heroic man, but Capt. Freeman died back in 2008.
On the other hand:
Medal of Honor recipient dies in Anderson
Updated: Mar 21, 2011 9:40 AM PDT
Melvin Biddle earned the Medal of Honor in 1944.
Melvin Biddle died Friday in Anderson at the age of 87. He received his Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman at the White House on October 12, 1945. As he awarded the medal to Biddle, Truman whispered that he’d “rather have one of these than be president.”
Biddle earned the Medal of Honor for his efforts as a lead scout during an attack on Hotton, Belgium, which was encircled by the enemy, on December 23-24, 1944. His courage and daring was cited during the 20-hour battle. He was a Private First Class with Company B, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army at the time of the battle.
Biddle was born in Daleville in 1923. He is survived by his wife, Leona, and many other family members.
There are 86 Medal of Honor recipients alive today.
Biddle’s Medal of Honor citation
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy near Soy, Belgium, on 23 and 24 December 1944. Serving as lead scout during an attack to relieve the enemy-encircled town of Hotton, he aggressively penetrated a densely wooded area, advanced 400 yards until he came within range of intense enemy rifle fire, and within 20 yards of enemy positions killed 3 snipers with unerring marksmanship. Courageously continuing his advance an additional 200 yards, he discovered a hostile machine gun position and dispatched its 2 occupants. He then located the approximate position of a well-concealed enemy machine gun nest, and crawling forward threw hand grenades which killed two Germans and fatally wounded a third. After signaling his company to advance, he entered a determined line of enemy defense, coolly and deliberately shifted his position, and shot 3 more enemy soldiers. Undaunted by enemy fire, he crawled within 20 yards of a machine gun nest, tossed his last hand grenade into the position, and after the explosion charged the emplacement firing his rifle. When night fell, he scouted enemy positions alone for several hours and returned with valuable information which enabled our attacking infantry and armor to knock out 2 enemy tanks. At daybreak he again led the advance and, when flanking elements were pinned down by enemy fire, without hesitation made his way toward a hostile machine gun position and from a distance of 50 yards killed the crew and 2 supporting riflemen. The remainder of the enemy, finding themselves without automatic weapon support, fled panic stricken. Pfc. Biddle’s intrepid courage and superb daring during his 20-hour action enabled his battalion to break the enemy grasp on Hotton with a minimum of casualties.
This may be the gentleman you were thinking of.
Buzz kill Gentlemen…….Heroes both and they would have enjoyed the punnery…and relished the thought of having a good time with a young lass or two….or seven
for a “better late than never:
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/03/24/11-wwii-airmen-get-arlington-burial/
I didn’t get snookered as Mick below thinks. I didn’t know Freeman had died. The post was copied from Pournelle’s website and I passed it along. I imagine the content has been passed around for awhile. For some reason It never reached me.
I will forgive dang near anything of anybody’s doing if he credibly claims that Jerry Pournelle approves of it.
Minor point, but in keeping with the topic of the post and with all due respects to both, QM got snookered and Joe is on the ball.
I know all about minor points, flawed as I am.
Mick
It’s all in the details…..the curve of her hips, the perfume, the delicious first kiss….then admiring her form….like looking over a Ferrari, lusting after the chase to possess her and then doing so……taking her out for a long drive…..enjoying putting her through the paces….testing her gears, double clutching her and pushing her into overdrive…..winding it out a listening to the sound of the horses running wide open……and then treating her to a nice wash and waxing to make her beautiful after some hard miles…..
Fine automobiles and women both deserve our attention and want to be admired & driven…often….
Believe me, I’m all about the fine details…..
And the proper refreshments, like Dr. Pepper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHV_SCAwPPE
Guinness…..accept no substitutes…..Dr.Pepper tastes like horse-piss.
If it has to be soft drinks, Arnold Palmer Iced Tea and/or cold pink lemonade…in the summer on Cape Cod…..on a towel next to a lovely lass…..yes….
Well, I have no idea what horse piss tastes like, so I can’t make a comparison
But if the lady wants Dr. Pepper, the lady gets Dr. Pepper.
Or Dad’s Root Beer!
I’ll certainly take Dad’s. Like Joe, I have no idea what the horse stuff tastes like, so I have no standard of comparison. If, OTOH, it takes like the horse stuff, then I’d have to say it tastes pretty good. Still, I doubt seriously I’d make a habit of it.
Hey,
There’s only one major minor.
And were he to do that today he’d be court martialled for disobeying a direct order, putting expensive military equipment in danger, and violating a no-fly directive.
He’d spend several years in Leavenworth before being dishonourably discharged…
It’s only outlandish to the unimaginative.
Swimming pool…couple energetically engaged…windowed view port to bar below…happy hour…celebration.
Who’s next?
Lex – “I have only one comment: The top of a pool table is “outlandish”?”
Uhhhh…..only if it’s a BUMPER pool table.
Of course the top of a pool table is outlandish…her high heels might tear the felt. And it leaves the table sticky.
Odd that you should have this today, I was listening to this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN0sFYCk_Sg
and considering that the US would be better off going back to allowing a ration aboard ship to help curb excesses during port calls.
In the words of George Carlin.
“..our thrust is to prick holes in the stiff front erected by the smut dealer. We must penetrate any crack in his defenses… We can’t lick it by being soft.”
Not sure if it applies, but it brings back memories of Rota in the late 70′s. Having a couple restoritives after work, followed by a quick power nap, then off to take over the town, holding imaginary military manuvers through the streets and alleys on our way to the bar(s). We always brought home our wounded shipmates, regardless of the severity of self-inflicted wounds. We knew we could always exact revenge on that tipsy barstool or improperly located lamp post at a later date. We were Navy carrying on in the finest (off-hour) tradition.
“Outlandish”?
Recalled an interview I read with James Caan in Playboy way back in the late 70′s. (I liked to read the articles). Seems he complained of being considered something of a rake whom would “take a woman in the gutter” if the opportunity presented itself. He complained he’d do no such thing for he’d “do no such thing unless he first offered her a pillow first” him being a gentlemen and all. “Chivalry isn’t all dead, yet”, or words to that effect he closed with.
The things you remember.
That’s it… I’m taking the 5th on the entire 1970s.
Heh. You ain’t alone, Pogue. You squidly types had Olangapo, us Zoomies had Angeles City… among many others. Cue up Streisand… No. Wait. This is more appropriate, given present company. Our esteemed host might have even been there for this, given his assignment history.
Sailors? Strong drink? Hard drinking and etc. women?
Inconceivable! Aussies? Unbelievable!
He said abreast.
Is it just a co-inkydink that this was preceeded by an article entitled “Big Sticks”? If there is a linkage, then obviously no Australian naval aviators were involved. Nor big watches, or check cashing.
Scott: Nowadays there are Oz RAN female helo pilots – however no more fuxed wung to be seen – cause it folded more or less in 1984. So on behalf of all Oz NavAvers past, present and future, BOXXY (it’s the ICON stoopid) says it better’n most: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEy_4vGO-M8
Dang! Late to the party, I am! But yes, I saw what you did there, Cap’n, and will now cue up “The Middy” by Kenneth Alford, in honor of what you wrote, there. I have to do something to stop the groans, you know.
Not even gonna try to compete with all the puns…
I do have one observation: like eliminating booze will end sexual competition amongst a bunch of horny kids. Um, yeah…
Its only “outlandish” when used during an actual game of pool.
Would the troop seat in a Sea King, on the flight deck of the Forrestal be considered outlandish?
Forrestal was an old ship. So, would this be before or after women at sea?
Because I’d like to hold off judging before all the facts are in…
April 1985. She was doing sea trials after SLEP. My squadron had a det of 3 Sea Kings on board. Right below our ready room was the berthing section for the female shipyard workers. I was the night shift line department. One girl made a wrong turn and came to the space we were using for a line shack. She stayed to talk for a bit and then came back every night and one thing led to another…
half on the sink in a woman’s restroom in a pub…..is that outlandish, or just non-standard?
Ah, Josephus Daniels. Instigator of the 1898 Wilmington Race Riots that put an end to all that “one man, one vote” nonsense until the 60s. The man who lead the U.S. Navy in, um…the occupation of Veracruz and then handed out 56 Medals of Honor for it- according to Dan Gallery handing out some of them by lot. The SECNAV who ordered that no prostitution be allowed within five miles of any Navy base. (How’d that one work out, guys?)
No, I’m not a fan.
picky, picky, picky…
Oh, it’s worse. The reaction to that wowser made a new bad nickname for coffee, i.e., “Joe.”
Oh, he also wanted sailors to wear pajamas to bed. Or hammocks, or whatever.
Teddy Roosevelt may have been a bit too enthusiastic, but the President who came after Taft, and the people he appointed, were batshit insane.
This man would be disappointed with the news from the good VADM.
Oops, the link didn’t work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Nelson,_1st_Viscount_Nelson
[...] Sex games in the Navy [...]
[Bart, disguised as a Naval Aviator, describes his qualifications as a villain]
Bart: Sex on a pool table.
Lex: That’s not much of a crime.
Bart: Through the Vatican?
Lex: [smiling] Kinkyyyy. Sign here.