Shortly after the U.S. entered the First World War a popular American songster penned a little diddy that ran just so:
"-Though the Army is the clover
T'was the Navy brought them over
And the Navy will bring them back...".
Anticipating this roll in 1910, the far-seeing Department of the Navy ordered each and every American battleship to have within its arsenal at least one sewing machine, and a tar who was proficient at tailoring in order to make themselves worthy of the task. The attached article is illustrated with a photograph of this machine and the able-bodied seaman who served as the ship's costumer.
Click here to read about the history of the U.S. Navy sailor uniform.
Click here to read about the shipments of chewing gum that were sent to the American Army of W.W. I.
