Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-07-29
Letter From a Former Tribune Boy,
Who Describes the Trip from
Frisco to Honolulu.
Boys Felt Blue When Seasick but
when they Recovered Regained
their Usual Spirits.
All of them Pleased with Honolulu and
Delighted with the Reception
Accorded Them.

ON~
Francisco to Honolulu as follows:
We left San Francisco for Manila,
Tuesday, June %, at 1925. The weather
was fine and the boys enjoyed the first
couple hours ride, as there was some
grand scenery to see and they didn't
notice the rocking Of the boat, but
when the, passed Golden Gate, and we
were beginning to lose sight of the land,
which we are now beginning to realize is
dearest to us, some of the boys began
to get seasick, and the second day
almost all on board were sick. 1t was
a great sight to see them run for the
railing; I guess I was one of the first.
Wednesday, June goth at 6 p. m. we
were about 269 miles from Frisco.
Thursday, June 30th we were about 4GS
miles from Frisco. I think we are MAX
ing almost twelve knots an hour. The
ship rocked a good deal, on the rough
water, but she is very swift, compared
with the other transports. The way
the men talk some of them wish they
were back home. On July LIST the men
began to get better, and most of them,
were beginning to get their appetite
back again. July End, the ocean got
more peaceful, most all the boys stayed
on deck all day, enjoying themselves
singing, telling stories and making
music. They have several musical in
struments on board, such as mandolins
and guitars. The also have a quartette
composed of a flute, cornet, alto and bari
tone. July 3rd, the ocean is beautiful
and the weather fine; us it was Sunday,
they held services on deck. Some Of
the boys took shower baths, others
cleaned up their guns, preparing for in
spection, before reaching Honolulu.
July 4th, the weather was splendid and
the ocean very still. Col. Trueman ar
ranged the following program for our
celebration: Opening by a march by
the buglers, at which they raised the
stars and stripes, also the English and
the ships flag, which foated in the
breeze Of the mighty Pacific. The first
on the program after the march was an
address by Major Frame, after which
they all applauded. Next on the pro-
gram was a bear dance by the sergeant
major of the second battalion, which
the boys seemed to enjoy immensely.
Next was the song "Star Spangled Ban
ner" which was sung by all. Next was
a splendid speech by Lieut.. Hildreth Of
Co. B. In his speech he made the fol.
lowing remark: II have spoken on sew
eral occasions, in rain and shine, but |
never felt SO much at sea as I do now.''
Next was another piece by the trumpe-
ters and they played "Pay Day. and
Slot Time" Next on the program was
an address by Corporal Manning Of Co.
H. Next a a hymn sung by all, which
closed the program. Col. Trueman
then came to the front, at which the
boys gave three cheers for him: he then
thanked them, and said ''lets give three
cheers for the stars and stripes'(pointing
to the flag on the mast); the boys did
give three cheers and it was the best
three cheers I ever heard. They then
gave three cheers for the officers of the
boat, for their kindness in letting them
celebrate the fourth. The colonel then
announced that they are going to have
cxtrasf for dinner, another cheer followed.
In the afternoon the boys stayed up
or deck and enjoyed themselves play
ing cards. A light rain came about 5
o'clock, just enough to cool the air. I
saw a few flying fish, but they were not
very big. July 9Th, we were getting out
of the trade winds and it was getting
very warm. They spread canvas on top
of the deck for shade; we were just
about a days ride to Honolulu then.
We arrived at Honolulu at 11:45 aud
upon our arrival crowds of people came
out in tugs to give US a hearty welcome.
They had splendid music and they
cheered and cheered us. Our gunboat,
the Monadnock, threw her search lights
on us and it made quite a sight. She is
going to escort us to Manila. The
other transports got in about a day be.
fore us. The Newport came in a couple
of hours behind us. Among the cries
they gave us on our arrival, this was
one: "America, America, Remember
the Maine, three cheers for Dewey and
to hi with SPAIN" They sang songs
mostly all night. The next morning
when we arose we found ourselves in a
beautiful harbor, the other transports
were on the left of US. We could sse
the Monadnock. She fired several shots
as a salute; she is a splendid grnboat.
The whole expedition is going to leave
together. Most of the boys spent the
morning in the Y. M. G.. A. building,
where they gave the boys free baths,
furnished the towels and soap, also
gave US writing material. This is a
place of about 10000 inhabitants, COM
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