Skoal!

Newly arrived from Antarctic waters, the Soviet whaling factory ship Slava and the U.S. icebreaker Glacier lay within hailing distance of each other last week alongside the broad quays of the Montevideo waterfront. Russian Captain Alexei N. Solianik paid a courtesy visit. He was gravely received on the quarterdeck by Rear Admiral George J. Dufek, got an illustrated lecture on the Glacier's part in Operation Deepfreeze, and a copy of R. B. Robertson's 1954 bestselling memoir. Of Whales and Men. On his way down the gangway, he invited the U.S. officers to pay a return visit.

Two days later Admiral Dufek, Commander Eugene Maher and Ensign John Wilson stepped aboard the Slava, were promptly whisked to Captain Solianik's cabin for a few fast rounds of whisky and vodka. After weathering several toasts, Admiral Dufek explained that he was a vegetarian and could not stay to lunch. He departed with Commander Maher, leaving Ensign Wilson to represent the U.S. Navy.

Seated at a table under a large picture of Marshal Klimenti Voroshilov, the ensign heroically ate his way through an eight-course meal (including caviar, crabmeat, mushrooms, capers and sturgeon), rose repeatedly to respond to vodka toasts. Three hours after he had arrived, he retrieved his cap with dignity from under a picture of Stalin and walked firmly down the gangway, carrying himself like a piece of priceless porcelain and bearing farewell gifts of caviar and whale's teeth. "Don't bother our distinguished guest," said genial Host Solianik to pier-side reporters. "He's still enjoying the pleasures of the table."

Ensign Wilson's feat impressed even Uruguayans, themselves no mean trenchermen. Montevideo's daily La Manarta called him a "hero of the cold war."

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