Dating to 1934, this short film depicts some of the various athletics and recreational activities available for Navy seamen and U.S. Naval Academy cadets. The film opens with shots of a group of bluejackets on a vessel — probably an aircraft carrier — located in Pacific waters conducting physical training exercises (:20). The Navy Band plays as the men limber up (:44). A few sailors are seen imitating a bronco ride with a saddle attached to ropes as other sailors jostle the rider about (:52). The top swimmers of the fleet dive into waters for a swimming meet (1:15). The winners were to bring trophies back to their ships (1:22). It was important for all sailors to know how to swim in full uniform (1:53). A few are seen racing against one another (2:03). The winner of the swim meet holds a large trophy among his shipmates (2:14). Indoor baseball training takes place in the Naval Academy gymnasium (2:37). Encircled by nets, sailors swing at balls and practice their pitches (2:42). These trainings were enacted as the fleet prepared to move southward (2:52) and whenever they were to visit a foreign port, the Navy put on an exhibition game (2:58). The midship fencing team practices to keep their skills sharp (3:16). Boxing is very popular for Navy men and a version where the participants are blindfolded and can only hear their opponent through the rattling of their tin cups follows (3:54). A roller skate battle pitches sailors against one another while rolling across the floor on roller skates (4:12). Boxers duel over a long cylindrical pole to entertain their fellow shipmen (4:31). The most popular event was the traditional form of the sport (8:13). Fleet Athletic Officers observe the boxers (5:22). In Central Park, New York, the city’s skyline is viewed while Navy men row small boats through the water (5:47). The Navy Whaleboat Race is seen as sailors race in long boats (6:14). Football techniques for midshipmen are practiced (6:37) on the ship’s deck (6:57). The men here are training for a game which was to played ashore — likely against the Army team (7:16). This game is then shown with packed stands in a massive stadium (7:26). The film concludes as confetti is tossed upwards in celebration (8:23).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
