Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1910-12-14
LETTER FROM FLEET

O. w. Sayner Receives Let
ter from Son on u. S. S
Mississippi on Eastern
Voyage.
Following we publish a letter
received BY 0. W. Sayner O
Plum lake from his son Silas
who is in the u. S. navy, on the
~. S. S. Mississippi. This ship
is one of the fleet that is making
the eastern tour. Being a Villas
county boy we print the letter
in the hopes that it may be o.
interest to his MANY friends.
Gravesend, England.
Nov. 25th 1910.
Dear Father and Mother
The fleet arrived here safe on tie
10th as scheduled although we had &
rather rough voyage. We struck q
storm when we were three or fuul
DAYS out which lasted until we enter
ed the English channel. Tive men
died on the Mississippi on the way
across, one of heart trouble and the
other Of pneumonia. The bodies
were sent back to the States for bur-
ial when we arrived here. Funeral
services were held aboard the ship :
the first since she has been in COM
mission. A purse was taken up and
over a thousand dollars was given by
the men Of the ship to send the bed
les back to the States, the surplus go
ing o their folks. Pretty good for
the men OF this ship, don't You think?
Usually they are burie! at sea.
had very good time in London
the two days | was there. visited
nearly all the places OF most interest
and there are some very interesting
places to be seen in London. Two
shipmates of mine, and myself hired
a cab and guide, which is the only
way to see London. We went about
ii in systematic way taking notes of
the places visited. The following
are the places we visited: the Tower,
long used us q royal residence, pris-
on, and now as museum. There
are kept the crown Jewels OF England.
St. Paul's cathedral: one of the larg-
est churches of England in which are
buried many noted men. The Temple;
formerly the home OF the Knights Of
the Holy Temple Of Jerusalem. The
Mansion House: official residence Of
the Lord Mayor of London. National
Gallery: where are to be seen one Of
the finest collection of paintings in the
world. Albert Memorial: The nonu-
meut to the Prince Consort by the
English people. Wellington barracks:
guard mount and band daily. Bank
of England: celebrated for having no
windows. British Museum: magniti-
cent collection of gems, objects of
art, etc The Regents Park with the
Geological gardens. The Tabernacle
in which Spurgeon preached for many
years. Trafalga Square: called the
finest site in Europe, containing the
column and statue OF Lord Nelson.
Guiidhall: the city hall Of London.
but by far the most interesting place
is Westminster Abbey. burial place OF
many Of England's kings and queens
All sovereignS Of England are crown
ed there. Probably the most interest
ing place in the world. The bnil0ing
IS over a thousand years old, that is
some parts of it. 1t has been enlarg-
ed until it now covers ABOUT twenty
acres OF ground. Westminster Hall:
magnificent building where parlia-
ments have been help; where Oliver
Cromwell was inaugurated "Lord
Protector, and where the late king
lay in state. Henry VII Chapel in
Westmin ster Abbey. The roof is very
fine and has been called The Wonder
of the World y The last hut not the
least is the Houses of Parliament
where England's laws are made.
1t took the greater part Of two
days to visit the places | mentioned
aud then we didn't have much time
to look around. 1t would take two
DAYS a one to see the Tower and two
DAYS for Westminster Abbey. In the
Tower there are to be seen dungeons
instruments of torture, eXecutlor
blocks and axes, and a thousand Other
things of interest that helped to maxi
English history,
The city of London isn't much
for looks New York has it beatel
there. 1t is out of date in architec
ture in the old section. 1t has shor
crooked streets and the buildings are
low and small compared to those il
/ Manhattan. There areeno street car
IN the heart of the city. Cabs AM
buses arethe only means OF getting
| about.
received the papers alright; wa
glad to get them. Send some more.
Your affectionate son,
SILAS.