Washington’s Birthday, 1910.

This day, as my American friends are aware, is celebrated as the birthday of George Washington, first President of the United States. Washington himself celebrated his birthday on February 11, but this date became the 22nd when the Gregorian calendar was finally accepted in Britain and all her Dominions in 1752. I briefly explained this re-jigging of the calendar in a story several years ago, and made mention of it again in one about Frances Trollope (mother of the novelist Anthony Trollope ), who attended a ball in honour of the great man on this day in 1829.

Today I give you the menu from U.S.S Wilmington on Washington’s birthday in 1910. The ship was in Canton, China at the time, but there is nothing even vaguely oriental on the menu – nor should there be, for such an important national day. I am not sure then, why ‘English’ ham is there – perhaps it was symbolically routed in recognition of the Washington’s success in leading the American army to victory over her colonial masters. The other puzzle, which perhaps a military historian can answer, is why the menu styles the U.S.S Wilmington as ‘the trophy ship.’

Queen Olives      Celery

Oyster Soup

Roast Goose      Roast Chicken

Chestnut Dressing

Giblet Gravy     Cranberry Sauce

English Ham

Mashed Potatoes      Sweet Potatoes

Cream Peas

Pumpkin Pie

Lemon Custard Pie

Chocolate Layer Cake

Jelly Roll Slices

Oranges     Bananas      Apples

Cigars    Cigarettes    Mixed Nuts

Coffee

Chestnut Dressing – Mrs. L.A.Lancel
1 lb. chestnuts boiled, 1 lb. beer, ½ lb. fresh pork, chopped all together. Season with salt and pepper; add ¼ loaf of baker’s bread soaked in water and drained, and 2 beaten eggs.
San Rafael Cook Book, 1906.


Quotation for the Day.
Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.
Anon.