HUGHES 'TREATED' TO HURRICANES RETURNING FROM SOUTH AMERICA
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 24, 1922, the Evening Star reports Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes, returning to the United States aboard the U.S.S. Maryland*, was treated to "a pair of hurricanes" which "hurled green seas over the superstructure decks."
The first storm saw the Secretary out on the deck "enjoying it all immensely" according to Admiral Hilary P. Jones**. During the second, however, as he lay in the Captain's bunk, the cabin was completely flooded giving Mr. Hughes an "unwelcome shower bath."
Afterwards, the Star reports, the State Secretary was running about the cabin "in his wet beeveedees***."
*U.S.S. Maryland (BB-46) was commissioned in 1921 & served as the flagship of the fleet. She suffered light damage during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
**Hilary Pollard Jones (1863-1938) was born in Hanover County, Virginia & educated at the US Naval Academy. HPJ served in the Spanish-American War & WWI. He was commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
***Beeveedees refers to men's underwear. The name comes from BVD, an underwear manufacturer.
SOURCE
"Stormy Sea Gives Secretary Hughes Shower In Bunk," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 24, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
