Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-16
On Board U. S. S. Bel

Sldu Mig AL BED.
Sunday, Oct S.-Leaving Frisco.
Sept. 16, at 500 p. m. we sailed away
through the golden gate and were soon
enveloped in a fog that lasted all night
The next morning we were out of the
fog belt. En- route to Honolulu, we
sighted three vessels. One, a trans
port, passed to our port mile away.
We arrived in Honolulu Sept. "a, at 6
a. m. Our weeks journey had put most
of us on our sea legs, although large
number were subject to NAL de mer.
When we went ashore, the old dock
would not stand still and we were bal
ancing ourselves to keep our equli-
brium. Spent Sunday and Monday
forenoon seeing the city and sailed
again at p. m. Honolulu is a para
dise-a truly tropical city, with low
buildings and narrow streets suggest
ing Spanish town. The yards and
lawns were veritable green houses,
containing every kind of tropical
plant. Went through the palace
grounds, played on Queen Lil's piano,
while the boys sang, and had a great
time. In the afternoon, went in surf
bathing, and past the breakers. They
would come at us like race horses,
make us turn somersault, carry us
on SO yards and then drop us for an
other one Met Mr.. AL. Cross of Su-
perior there. September only had 29
days for us, as we crossed the $50 de-
gree mark at II p. m. Friday night,
Sept. 20 and the next day was Sunday,
Oct. 1. Have not seen a ship since
leaving Honolulu. We passed one mile
south of Wake Island, a United States
possession. Last night we passed As
cension Island, on which is an active
volcano. The old man would not spout
for us, however Our daily routine is
as follows:
Reveille, a. M; breakfast, $50 fol-
troops, ours at s a. NJ; non. com
school, to 9:45; exercise, 10 to 1920;
dinner, IL to 2-3: 80; bathing and wash
ing clothing, 3:45 to 5; inspection and
drill, 6; supper; at 9,taps. We have
more or less guard house gladiators
who are constantly employed policing
the ship and the strictest sanitation is
observed. Oh yes, in the evening we
have officers school two hours, and we
have to study for it too, and then we
sing, play the piano and nave a good
time until bed time, which is when WE
are ready. Since leaving Honolulu
the trade winds have been from the
east, so that we did not get the benefit
of them, as we were with them. We
have 779 enlisted men and % officers
aboard, exclusive of the ships crew
Capt. Thomas Weiss and the English
officers, the balance being celestials
Expect to arrive at Manila next Friday
Oct. 13, further developments un-
known.
The Gath should interest Wisconsin
people, as all the Wisconsin appointees
are in this regiment. Have had nc
serious sickness on board few cases
of mumps. Was vaccinated but it die
not work. The men have commodious
quarters (better than the officers) and
are extremely well-fed, 100 times better
tnan last ar,-potatoes, turnips, fish
bread, peach and apple stews, rice, cot
fee, etc. They have no kick coming.
Manila Bay, Oct. live arrived
here this morning after an uneventful
trip, except, perhaps the fact that, in
our travel of $500 miles from Frisco,
have seen Lake Mendoza rougher than
was the old Pacific. We disembarked
in the morning and were moved out to
the firing line at once. Cannot give
my impressions Of Manila yet, as have
only seen it at distance
John V. Green.