FULL STEAM AHEAD
MAY, 2015
Last December, the Marine Museum formed an alliance with the Battleship Committee. It was
the natural culmination of years of extraordinary cooperation between the two, including many
instances of help from the Battleship during the formative years of the Museum and later when
the Museum was faltering. Combining their energies and talent to enhance Battleship Cove, the
alliance ensures Fall River's waterfront will be a mecca for greater Fall River residents and
visitors.
The Battleship is a museum of naval history, but there is one bit of history few people know. In
1794, the Navy adopted the practice of the British Navy to provide sailors with a half pint of rum
each day, revised to less expensive "distilled spirits" in 1806. The practice ended during the Civil
War although U.S. Navy sailors were permitted to store their own stock of beer and liquor at the
discretion of their commander.
In 1914 the Navy prohibited alcohol on its ships. Although in the works for a few years,
Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels who issued the order was ridiculed, referred to by many
as “Sir Josephus, Admiral of the USS Grapejuice Pinafore”. Daniels, a teetotaler, was accused of
trying to make the Navy softer. The prohibition must have been a shock to the systems of some
old salts, especially those who loved their depth charges: shots of whiskey, including the shot
glass, dropped into pints of beer. As the pints were hoisted bottoms up, the shot glass would
come crashing down on the teeth. Many a smile exposed a few chipped teeth.
The immediate problem was how to dispose of the beer and liquor stored on the ships before the
deadline. Some ships held events, creating themes such as “Wild West” saloons or holding
funerals where mourners could watch John Barlycorn’s burial at sea. A call went out to the
international community inviting foreign navies to help them 'dispose' of the prohibited drinks.
While a flotilla of naval vessels from around the world was participating in the Rim of the
Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) to sustain relationships in the maritime community several nations
responded, including the German Navy with whom we were at war within a month. Small
launches from these foreign navies visited our ships to help with the disposal of the contraband.
At the end of WWII, Navy officials were concerned about keeping morale high. Because of the
Navy's prohibition of alcohol on ships, there was no place on board for sailors and officers to
relax with a couple of beers. After considering many options, the accepted solution was quite the
opposite of what someone might expect: ice cream. It turned out that sailors loved ice cream but
most ships didn't have the capability to make it. The Navy borrowed a refrigerated concrete
barge from the Army Transportation Corps in 1945, converting it to a floating ice cream parlor.
The barge was towed around the Pacific Ocean providing ice cream to ships smaller than a
destroyer lacking ice cream making facilities. The ship could manufacture 10 gallons of ice
cream every seven minutes and had storage capacity of 2,000 gallons. A second barge was soon
added.
The following year my brother had an experience he was fond of telling. Shortly after graduating
from the Naval Academy in 1946, he was stationed aboard a cruiser anchored in Tokyo Bay
alongside a British ship. One evening the British officers, not affected by prohibition, invited the
American officers for a drink. The Americans readily accepted and truly enjoyed
themselves. When they returned to their ship they wanted to show their appreciation for the
British hospitality. Noting the British served liquor warm, the American officers sent them
several blocks of ice. With their inimitable humor the British thanked them, saying they hadn't
had a cold shower in weeks. The Americans were unaware the British did not put ice in their
drinks.
World War II ended 70 years ago this August, and fifty years ago this August the Battleship
Massachusetts came to Fall River to become the state's war memorial. The USS Massachusetts,
built in the Fore River shipyard near Boston, is no ordinary ship. It was the first U.S. warship to
fire 16" guns in WWII and the last to fire on the Japanese homeland. It earned eleven battle stars
and no crew member lost his life in combat. There was a personal attachment between the ship
and her crew, who affectionately called her Big Mamie. The arrival of Big Mamie was an
immediate success. The Battleship is Massachusetts' war memorial and museum with a mission
for "the preservationist of a historic memorial providing the public with an educational
experience to honor patriotism and country....a museum as well as a center for learning and a
memorial to our country's veterans”. Big Mamie resides in the Battleship Cove section of the
waterfront along with the Marine Museum, Railroad Museum, and Carousel.
The Marine Museum complements the Battleship's mission with a focus on merchant marine
history. It owes its existence to individuals and organizations who came together to establish a
place for preserving innumerable artifacts and to those who work tirelessly to keep it a viable
institution. Patrons’ generosity and regard for history have enabled the Museum to collect and
house a treasure trove of memorabilia for the public to enjoy, such as 150 ship models including
a 28 foot replica of the Titanic complete with interior lighting. In addition to hundreds of
artifacts, the Museum houses an extensive library where the public can either do research or
enjoy reading about the fascinating events that occurred in years past.
Please visit us at 70 Water Street, a short walk from the Battleship. We can be reached at (508)
674-3533. We're open 10-3, Wednesday through Saturday.