Making the Best of it: Moments of Levity in a Difficult Life

The sailors of the New Steel Navy lived a rugged life. They spent their days in cramped quarters, eating generally simple meals. They faced danger at sea, and ashore. Their lives were a series of routines, scheduled daily like clockwork. In this hard life, they had few moments for fun and entertainment, but they made the most of those brief interludes.

This section of the website will explore sailors at play. From informal gatherings on board ship, to elaborate holiday celebrations, these colorful sailors found ways to have fun while living a mostly rugged existence. They toured scenic locales on liberty, and competed with each other in boisterous games. They kept menageries of animals on board ship to keep them company.