The Democratic advocate., 1914-11-06
VOL. 5O.-NO. liz

size stars and stripes were ordered
hoisted, what an odd, but beautiful
sight the good ship Red Cross must
have presented to our observers. Five
hundred feet in length, high out OF
the water, all white with five foot
red stripe running the full length, u
large red cross painted On each stack,
a brightly illuminated electric red
cross at the Main Top, and old Glory
standing straight out to the ten knot
breeze. AS the powerful search lights
of the strange Man o War played
slowly up and down, and forward and
aft we were satisfied they knew our
identity for wireless messages had
been thrown out to the world telling
our mission OF mercy, with full de-
scription of the Red Cross, but the
sight was one that held them. and
after inspecting us for fifteen minutes,
we were instructed to proceed. After
twelve days at sea, all were glad when
the Red Cross dropped anchor in the
beautiful harbor OF Falmouth, Eng
land.
After receiving instructions from
the British Government we landed
twelve surgeons and forty-eight nurses.
divided into units, each consisting Of
three surgeons and twelve nurses
Two of the units were held in Eng
land, the other two proceeded to Rus
sia, with each unit went great Quanu-
ties of medical supplies. The chirps
in command were given enough mon
ey to meet any financial necessity that
might arise, and all supplied by the
American Red Cross.
From Falmouth we steamed to
LNVs1n fVr1
port about 25 miles from Bordeaux,
and there landed two units of six sur
geons and twenty-four nurses. We
were informed by French officials, that
the first work assigned would be care
OF eight hundred wounded German
prisoners and that later they would be
given entire charge Of fine barracks
then under construction.
From France we proceeded to Rot
terdam, Holland, going through the
English Channel, while their enroute
\ began to realize the seriousness of the
war, and saw some Of it. awful con-
sequences, near Lands End, we were
hove too, and boarded by an officer
from the French Torpedo Boat
Destroyer "Bombarde," who in
formed us that the Downs had been
mined, and that it would be necessary
for US to proceed with caution, as
there had been destroyed In the three
proceeding days, four ships with loss
of life. So the captain deemed 1t
necessary under the circumstances to
engage the services of an English
Channel Pilot who was familiar with
conditions, and with all due caution
we continued our trip to Rotterdam,
r%r yfrn
glasses and instructed to keep a sharp
lookout for anything that looked like
drifting mine. About one hour be,
fore making Port. the bodies Of three
/ English blue Jackets were discovered
drifting about, as we stopped to take
on board the Dutch Pilot, all that re
mained, earthly, Of one poor fellow
bumped against the Starboard side OF
the ship. AS he slowly drifted aft,
and out of sight, Gods sky his blank
ct, the sea his pillow and bed, and in
what was once his home-What ?-un-
der ordinary conditions ship at sea.
with more or less danger to pa6sen-
gers and crew, would have stopped To
pick up that body and with suitable
covering, properly wrighted, the burial
services read, with the flag half mast
i ed, the body would be consigned to its
/! last resting place. We were instruct
ed BY the Pilot not to bother, he was
only one of many, that we would mot
be permitted to take the body ln Port
Aye!-he was-only-one-but one OF
many the toll demanded and exacted
by grim war. The Red Cross was
royalty received at Rotterdam. All
along the dykes there were crowds Of
men, women and children to give us
cheer Of welcome. Four units were
landed at Rotterdam, two were for
Germany and two were for Austin,
with the usual medical supplies. Bel
gium received only supplies, as 1t was
that Governments request that no
surgeons or nurses be sent them. In
Holland we found many American
refugees, who had gathered there from
all parts OF Europe. All were eager
to return to America on the good ship
Red Cross under protection of the
stars and stripes, for it was doubtful il
many, indeed! if any more ships would
risk the dangers Of the mine zone.
l56 were fortunate enough to receive
reservation, and on the twelfth day OF
October at 5 a. m, we steamed out for
America, and as we moved from the
wharf, and enthusiastic professional
Tromboneist played the tune of
Yankee Doodle" and There's no
place like home" with the strain Of
that beautiful, true piece, ii was plain
ly evidenced In the manner and &aceM
of that crowd OF American passengers.
that o-place-like-
home.-Two days out from Rotterdam
a Holland young lady stowaway re-
ported her presence on board to the
captain, who assigned her to work,
under the direction OF the stewardeEs.
Nothing unusual marred the happiness
of the passengers, on their return,
but there was general rejoicing, when
we sighted the shores OF the grandest,
the greatest Country under Gods
heaven. The only great country,
where reigns peace on earth, with full
and equal rights for all. The mission
OF the Mercy Ship had been successful
The good will and the hand OF fellow
ship Of our Great Country, through
the medium of the American Red
Cross, had been greatfully accepted by
all the countries Our country's
friendship and sympathy had been
fully proven in act and deed And
now, all hail to our late Commander
In Chief, "a Woman.
Trinity Lutheran Chureh.