Wednesday, August 25, 1915

The splendid weather we have had since yesterday continued today. The sun was very warm, the sea was calm, the sky was full of languid, fleecy clouds, and the mountainous coast of Mexico barely hidden in the hazy distance - everything was as nearly ideal as one could wish. We noticed scores of turtles floating lazily on the water, some of them surmounted by sea gulls. We finished our work in juice, and our engineering work. I'm not at all sorry that it's over, tho I haven't had to work so hard at the stuff as I expected. In the evening we had a smoker. Boxing matches furnished the most sport - especially the first one, which was between two Filipino boys. The stake was $5, and there were 4 two minute rounds. Both boys were absolutely 'out' at the beginning of the 4th, but they stood together, feebly striking at each other, rarely hitting but giving a fine example of stick-to-it-ness that was duly appreciated. The bout was declared a draw, and both boys received $5, to which everyone felt, they were entitled. Kenworthy and Gover gave a fine exhibition bout of 3 rounds that showed real scientific training. 'Stoney' came nearer to breaking even with Ken than he ever has done before. Both were in good condition. The Yid again pulled off some of his handcuff stunts that were clever enuf, but not, to my mind, entertaining. A 'gobby' did some of the best clod-dancing that I have ever seen anywhere. There were vocal and brass quartets - I was in the Cast - and lots of good music by the band. The movies were popular as movies ever are aboard ship, and the eats, consisting of sandwiches, cake and lemonade were as popular as the movies. We turned in at about 6 bells. The night was all that we could wish for.

Relive their Smoker entertainment today - links below!

Homeward Bound Smoker and Entertainment Program







Internet Links

Original Music Recordings
Listen to an original 1914 recording of "Crazy Bone Rag" by downloading the MP3 (4.6 MB) file from the U.S. Marine Band.

Listen to the original Edison cylinder recording of "Alabama Jubilee" from this location. Please be aware that the lyrics are full of old Southern racial stereotypes.

Listen to the original Edison cylinder recording of "It's Tulip Time in Holland" from this location.

Listen to the original recording of "We'll Have a Jubilee in My Old Kentucky Home" from this location.

Watch a Moviograph
Here's a link so you can watch one of the moviographs they saw on August 25, 1915 -- "Fatty Joins the Force." It's about 13 minutes long. Please be aware that it is on a site called The Naked Gord Program, so some of the content on the page is not for young children, although this film could easily be viewed by them. It is a silent comedy from the early film genius, Mack Sennett, with plenty of slapstick.

Original Sheet Music
This link is to the Mississippi State Templeton Sheet Music Library archive of "Crazy Bone Rag."

This link is to the Mississippi State Templeton Sheet Music Library archive of "Alabama Jubilee."

This link is to the Mississippi State Templeton Sheet Music Library archive of "It's Tulip Time In Holland."

This link is to the Mississippi State Templeton Sheet Music Library archive of "We'll Have A Jubilee In My Old Kentucky Home."

Moviograph Info
This link is to the Internet Movie Database page for "Fatty Joins the Force."

This link is to the Internet Movie Database page for "A Beauty Parlor Graduate."