NARRATIVE OF THE CRUISE 161 



Everything was running smoothly. The trades were strong. 

 The scientific program was in full swing. And there was no reason 

 why we, as well as our friends on shore, should not celebrate a 

 Thanksgiving dinner. An elaborate affair was arranged for the 

 night of the '29th. Everyone dressed up in his stiffest collar and 

 sleekest black. There were even full blown dinner-suits. A most 

 impressive menu was printed for the occasion, and is here repro- 

 duced. Readers will recognize some of the allusions, but there are 

 others which must forever remain a dark secret to the uninitiated. 



Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1928 



Dinner 



Cocktail PVlla 



Radishes au Mirage Celery Imaginaire 



Creme de Plankton 



Lapin Roti a la Alpendorf 



Papas Marinas de Barbados Sin Chaquetas 



Petit (Avoir du) Pois au Cigoin 



Pate de Fruits a la Marie Glenn 



Gateau Chinois au Medico 



Patisserie Shortwave a la Hartford 



Bonbons de Slopchest 



The a la Russe Cafe Noir 



Cigarettes 



Radio conditions became very poor during the last week of 

 November and almost all our contacts were lost. WIMK of 

 Hartford, our old stand-by, was the last to go. For several days 

 they sent us messages "blind," for their signals were received with 

 the usual strength while ours were inaudible in the United States. 

 Jones was able to pick up their broadcasts, one of them being a 

 cheery Thanksgiving message from the folks at home. 



We were only 4,500 miles from Hartford, and should have had 

 no difficulty in sending messages that short distance. It was 

 thought that our antenna might be at fault, but as time went on 

 it became clear that we had entered an area of disturbed radio 

 conditions. The trouble was apparently not due to defects in our 

 transmitting apparatus. Schedules were arranged during night 

 hours, but there was no improvement. 



On December 1 we made a record for balloon flights, 64 minutes. 



