We probably have handled the most estates and collections of any of the Scouting memorabilia dealers. With this we have some very interesting items come through our hands. One piece we came across was a mimeograph from the 1947 World Jamboree:
Rather than try to post a scan I had one of my team members type it in. Its a great piece of reference. Here it is:
FACTS AND FIGURES ON THE JAMBOREE
Travelled to and from Europe aboard two United States Army Transports-sister ships-USAT General C.H. Muir- USAT General Harry Taylor, ships are C4 type-built in Kaisar Shipyards at Richmond California. Overall length, 522 feet 10 ½ inches-beam (width) 71’6”. Total displacement 16152 tons-cruising radius 11250 miles at 17 knots speed. Powered by Westinghouse steam turbines developing 9000 horse power and propelled by a single screw 21.6 foot pitch (pushes the ship through the water 21.6 feet per revolution under perfect conditions)
Water is made by distilling sea water in two double effect 20000 gallon evaporators capable of making 150 tons of water per day. Passenger capacity is 2504, a normal crew of 174 is carried plus 23 permanent U.S. Army personel.
The ship’s hospital has 60 beds, operating rooms and a dressing station. There is modern equipment on the Bridge for ship’s navigation which includes: Sperry Gyro compass with automatic steering device, complete Radar-Radio Direction Finder, and long range navigation equipment. Ship’s officers aboard General Muir are as follows; Captain, Herbert Daub – Mate, Walter Lothrop – Chief Engineer, Chas. A. Deishel – Chief Steward, William T. Gore, Ship’s officers on the General Taylor are; Captain, Kenneth G. Towne – Mate, Ansel L. Saffer – Chief Engineer, Geo. F. Sproul – Chief Steward, Harry Gilmour.
Distance traveled by sea – New ork to Antwerp 3449 miles – Havre to New York 3210 – Total 6659.
Trips were made on the continent of Europe to Belgium and Holland, Switzerland, Italy, and parts of France. Some individual Scouters also traveled to England and Scotland.
The Jamboree took place from August 9 to 16 inclusive, 38 nations had official delegates – 4 other nations had only Scouters at the Jamboree – according to “Jamboree France”, official paper of the World Jamboree, the following Nations were present officially or as visitors –
France Mexico
Great Britain and Colonies Argentina
Belgium and Belgium Congo Colombia
United States of America Hungary
Holland Costa Rica
Switzerland Dominican Republic
Denmark Egypt
Czecholovakia Greece
Canada Haiti
Italy Lichtenstein
Norway Nicaragua
Luxemburg Peru
Sweeden Phillipine Islands
Austria Portugal
India Syria
Armenia Venezuela
Iceland Cuba
Finland Lebanon
And Scouts from Displaced Persons camps inside Germany.
The three smallest independent governments were represented at the Jamboree – namely Luxemburg, Lichtenstein, and Monaco.
The official registration was 32000 Scouts and Scouters. Of the total number 15000 were French-Great Britain’s delegation was second largest, Belgium third, The United States fourth, Holland fifth, and Czechoslovakia 6th. 3000 French Rover Scouts and 2400 French Girl Guides and Lady Cub Masters aided in handling Jamboree activities. All construction and service operations were conducted by Scouts and Girl Guides-for instance- the phone exchanges-electrical equipment- railroad depot etc. Rovers, Girl Guides and others participating in these services paid the regular Jamboree fee. Girl Guides and Lady Cub Masters were quartered in a camp of their own outside the Jamboree ground proper.
The Jamboree grounds occupied approximately 1500 acres and were located on a bend of the Seine River about 40 miles North West of Paris. The grounds on the private estate of a wealthy Sugar manufacturer. Nearby was Saint Andre where the American Forces first crossed the Seine in World War #2. The Castle in which Field Marshal Rommel lived during the German occupation stood out prominently on the opposite side of the river. The camp was divided into 15 Sub-Camps with 7 camp annexes. The American contingent was divided into four sections. Section A was located in Sub-Camp Alseace, Section B in Auvergre, Section C in Provence, and Section D and Headquarters in Bourgogne. Each Sub Camp was named for a French Provence.
Some of the distinctive types of clothing worn by various delegations were as follows, The Hungarian hat plumes, Scotch and Irish Kilts – Scotch Tam O’Shanters- Egyptians Fezes – Tarbouches by the Armenians and Lebannons.
The Jamboree Insignia was a lily with a Carrick Bend.
“the lily is the emblem of world scoutism, on ancient maps and on compasses it indicated north and it shows us the way…
The Carrick Bend is a rather complicated knot that sailors use. You see the bits are entwined twice; it is the sign of world-wide fraternity that the Scouts want to renew after that horrible war. At the Jamboree the Scouts from all nations tie bits of wood to their national colors to exchange them as a sign of friendship.” (From “Jamboree France” published by Association du Jamboree, Paris).
In order to make the Jamboree possible, the French Government and Scout organizations and friends underwrote a sum of three million dollars. The marmalade and meat ration per boy at the Jamboree was equal to a French family’s ration for a month. Bread for the Jamboree was baked in bakeries surrounding the Jamboree area and some as far as 200 miles away.
Program highlights included the opening show in the Arena. 40000 persons took part and all nations passed in review. The visit of the President of the Republic of France, M. Vincent Auriol. The U.S.A. show in which a;; the delegation from the U.S. took part, depicting the dancing of American Indians- coming of the pioneers to America – ceremony making Baden Powell a member of an Indian tribe – an episode of Scouting games and activities – an episode depicting former World Jamborees and a Grande Finale. The American Ambassador to France, Mr. Jefferson Caffrey, was present and spoke. Great Britain, France, Holland, and other nations presented Arena shows. The closing ceremony with all delegations marching over ramps on the Arena Field forming the Carrick Bend indicative of the unity and interwoven spirit of World Scouting.
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