Comments Posted By Jimmy J.
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A WELCOME DIVERSION: LET'S TALK COFFEE
A well kept military secret is the fact that the United States Navy is fueled by coffee....very hot and very strong! No ship can stay at sea without it.
Coffe played a role in a Navy tale of the hero of the Battle of Mobile Bay, Admiral David Farragut, the Commander of the Union Naval Forces.
When asked about running a Confederate mine field at the mouth of the Bay, Farragut's fiery answer, "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" made history.
The real story was that Farragut had been drinking coffeee all night as he waited for daylight so the Union ships could see to navigate through the minefield. When at last the sun rose and the Admiral ordered the ships to make full speed into Mobile Bay, one of his officers asked him about the torpedoes (as mines were called in those days.) Farragut, having consumed a huge amount of coffee during his vigil, could no longer put off a certain call of nature. His reply to the officer was, "Damn the torpedoes! I'm going to the head!" At least that's story I heard.
Comment Posted By Jimmy J. On 10.12.2006 @ 16:07
