The log cabin Democrat., 1914-07-02
FAULKNER BOY
 IN U. $. NAVY
TELLS HIS EXPERIENCES
LEROY BERRY. ON q. $. $. PER KINS. WRITES INTEREST
 ING LETTER.
Editor Log Cabin Democrat

method or informing my frtends or my whereabouts since left home and enlisted in the United States navy.
 It was about the 30th of March, 1918, when I took the oath of alIegi- snce at St Louis. and immediately transferred to Newport. Rhode Is- land, for a course of instruction m the naval yeoman school. The trip took three days as, on account of the Ohio flood, I was sent tO Chicago and then via the New York Central route through Canada and down by Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Albany Go New York City, where I boarded g Fall River line boat for Newport ibout seven months later, after comp 1g the required course in the ye an school and mastering the physical drills. I was rated ''yeoman' and, after six weeks temporary detail in the ordinance office at Newport. was sent aboard the U. $. $. Wyoming, fthen the largest of our battleships, excepting the U. s. s. Arkansasl for transfer to the Atlantic fleet canteen, Guantanamo, Cuba.
 This was on January 2, 1914. But, owing to the quarantine on at the last named place, the whole fleet went first to Culebra Island, Porto Rico, where we remained until January "A, when we again got underway for Guantanamo, Cuba, arriving there two days later. There in a little three ctx other yeomen, spent most of last winter. I managed to visit but few of the towns nearby, owing to most of my time being taken up with my work at the canteen; however, we al- ways sailed up to Caimanera Ga vil- lage seven miles up the bay) on Sun days. But this detail didn't last long as on the 14th of March I was sent aboard the U. s. s. Michigan, and on the following day the whole fleet upped-anchor and left for the states. We stayed about three weeks at the southern drill grounds (near the coast of Virginia), where annual battle practice and maneuvers are held. Everything on board that is breakable and not stationary is pack ed away to keep the concusson from the twelve and fourteen inch turret guns from breaking them. We reached Philadelphia navy yards April 10, and the next week l was transferred to this ship. Two days later the Michigan left for Mexican waters. Since then l took leave of absence and went to Washington to visit relatives
 My ship is still in Philadelphia, but may be given sailing orders anytime Whether we aIe to go-to Mexico ol to Charleston, South Carolina, oul home port, is unknown. Let's hope ii will be the latter place. although my being in a special branch of the ser vice, I wouldn't have any fighting tC do. But I had rather fight than bt penned up on a hot, iron battleshiI in that sultry climate. with no chance for recreation. In fact, if they would let us go ahead and wipe up those "greasers" and return, none of u! would hesitate to go down there.
 Since I enlisted l have seen few things of some interest, viz Th' Woolworth, Singer and Metropolitan buildings, the Brooklyn and Manhat tan bridges and the statue of liberty in New York; the old mill, and olC Trinity church which George Wash ington attended, in Newport, R. l. the old Independence hall, Philadel phia; the national geological park il Washington, and Mount Vernon George Washington's home. Also wa aboard the old English convict ship Success" then on exhibition a Washington. This is supposed to b' the oldest ship sfoat, having beer launched about the middle of the sev enteenth century. On board are i'm ages of some of the most notoriou: conyicts; also several torturing i'm plements and apparatus which, in my opinion, would kill an ordinary mar of today if he were compelled to un dergo as little as one-half the punish ment that was inflicted upon thos' poor unfortunate men.
 I fear that l have already writer too much about things that probabl! interest nobody but the writer, so will quit.
 hope to see all of you when l com' home on a visit next October, als' hope that some of you will meet me a the Panama exposition in 1915.
 With best wishes for the editor and your welfare,
 remain sincerely,
 LEROY BERRY.
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