"Yesterday eve did attend the sinking and utter destruction of the good ship North Carolina. Off betimes to a lifeboat, and so to bed." No more diaries for the Navy, by official order, and that goes for any sort of record or engagement book.

This blow to the reminiscent and egoistic side of Naval personnel is announced in this morning's Scuttlebutt. Each introspective gem, says Secretary Knox, must be destroyed, and great clouds of smoke are even now arising from the burning books in the Yard.

Apparently the Navy had nightmare visions of a diary falling into the hands of enemy agents and giving them the wrong sort of information. But as far as the S-O's in the Yard are concerned, there's probably nothing much more dangerous than, "Wellesley girl last night. And so to bed."