Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1915-12-09
LETTER WRITTEN ON
BOARD BATTLtSHIP
Ralph Maloney Tells of
Sights Seen on Coast
Cruise.

Cruise.
U. S. S. Minnesota, N ovember %,
1915:,-I am writing a short letter to
point out few things of life on board
battleship. We arrived from our fur
Tough at the station, October 18th. On
the morning of the Goth, which was
Tuesday we left for New York on the
Erie railroad. On Thursday afternoon
at 2 0. m. we were in New York
city. We stepped from the train
to a waiting steamer and steam
ed across the harbor to the Battleship
Name, which is now being used as re
ceiving ship at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard. AS we went across the har-
Dor for the first time we saw great
many sights which most of that COM
pany of one hundred and forty-five will
not forget for awhile He beheld the
statue of liberty and Brooklyn brdg
almost first and it certainly was a
sight to see for the first time.
After we arrived aboard the Maine
many began to look over the ship and see
how near it was to the station but we
found quite a difference. Our gaze
first fell upon the large guns which we
inspected with amazed interest.
We were on the Maine about one
week and half when we were told in
ranks one morning that we were going
to be transferred to our regular ships.
We were all anxious to get settled
down for good.
There was party of forty-fve going
to the Arkansas which was then lying
in the Brooklyn Navy yard only short
distancesfrom where we were situated. |
happened to be one Of the party going
to the Arkansas and also found out that
I was to be transferred to the Mime
sofa which was then lying in Hamp-
ton roads, Virginia. The next morning
we left for Hampton Roads and on the
way the Arkansas, had a speed trial
and proved herself worthy of travelling
twenty three and two-tenths knots per
hour which ia great speed for one of
our great superdreadnoughts like the
Arkansas. On the morning of the
tenth we arrived in Hampton Roads
and sighted the Minnesota. The same
morning motor sailer was lowered
and we were transferred to the Mime
sofa. We all like the Minnesota and
soon made friends which makes a ship
home like.
The Minnesota had coaled a short
time before and was ready for a long
trip. We then, left Hampton Roads
for Pensacola, Florida, where all the
crew like to 60 on account of the ex
cellent climate. We were there coll
siderabIy short time and went again to
Hampton Roads. The first time / was
at Hampton Roads visited many
places of historical interest which |
had often wished to see. | also was
out to old Fortress Monroe.
After arriving at Hampton Roads
from Pensacola we stayed there until
yesterday morning whence we sailed to
Newport, Rhode Island. The coast of
Rhode Island is very beautiful and all
the crew were on deck taking
in the scenery which included mil
lionaire's residences and many sun
mer resorts situated on beautiful cliffs.
Our object in going to Newport, Rhode
Island, was to take aboard one OF the
admiral's wardrobes which we left at
New York City. I am writing this on
the way to New York where we
will spend Thanksgiving. After we leave
New York, which will be Immediately
after Thanksgiving, we are going to
cruise to Hampton Roads again. From
there we go to Philadelphia to spend
the Xmas holidays. There will also be
an eight day furlough granted Xmas.
After Christmas we leave for Monts-
mama Bay where the annual target
practice is looked forward to with in
terest. We make up large landing
force and have target practice with our
rifles as well as the large guns on the
ship. We have all found that life on
board ship proves very interesting and
gives chance to see much picturesque
scenery,
Hoping this letter proves of some
interest to you, remain,
Yours truly,