The Little River news., 1915-09-11

Prairie. father of Midshipman, Don aid Hooks, we are reproducing diary kept by the latter on a practice cruise to Europe and many interesting parts of the world The diary begins from the night of the June Ball. june ,. 1914.
 "Diary of Practice Cruise, l9l4." (BY DONALD HOOKS.)
 Dated from June Ball." June 5, 1914.
 Following this night we were to erl- bark for Europe; Saturday morning was an ideal day for the sWeethearts, wives and mothers, to bid the "Vam- pered Vets" farewell. I was accom- panied to the "Standish' by Misses Wurn, Latham and Goldsmith, Messrs. Fire and Minard. We left the dock giving -four NJ yells with one navy and three friends, wives, sweethearts. We embarked on the U. s. s. Missouri at 3:3O o'clock in the afternoon amid surroundings entirely new and strange to us. We immediately slowed our lockers, after which the bugle sound ed fer dinner formation. Captain Burrage promised us the best cruise possible to which we gave the four N yell with the Three Cruises.
 That night found us preparing for No ni oh or n- chor at sunrise Sunday, and made our way down the Chesapeake. Monday morning I was detailed for tae speed cones. at sunrise. This was the first time in my life that l looked about without seeing land. 6 q, m., Monday June 8, 1914.
 Immediately after leaving sight of land we gradually came upon the roll ing waves. Monday night promised us a rough sea for the following day. Tuesday, was as we expected, day ofAeXperience ont deep blue sea. Ear ly in the morning members of the third class, (on their first cruise,) felt the effects of the rolling waves. The ship rolled and pitched; the fellows rolled and "spewed." No one knows who the first victim was, because ev- eryone, trying to be sea-going, kept his condition secret as long as pos sible. About ten o'clock, however the ship rolled and pitched to such an extent that every ones condition was obvious. From the time until near luncheon I enjoyed the fun of seeing the other fellows first time, sea sick ness. It was both amusing and pitt full tc see the poor fellows rolling about the deck in such wretched condition. Everything went favorably with me until 11:50 in the morning. At this time, aided somewhat by the sight of my shipmates' conditions and partly by the increased pitching of our ship. I experienced my first attack of this terrible malady. Suffice it to say. the fish were we'll fed from this time henceforth. Howevefr we (of the third class) were not embarrassed at having displayed cur condition be- fore those of more experience for they too had lost their sea-legs. The sea- going second class joined us immedi- ately: the first class followed closely and to our surprise a young ensign, and even full Lieutenant joined us before the day was over. Indeed 1t was rough day on the high seas. The first boatswain's mate, who had net been sea sick for twenty years succumbed to the constant pitching of our ship. But the most fun was to see the walters. We brought sever- al mess boys from the Academy with us. They expected joyful ride ac- rcss the pond at the expense of the generous nation, but on this particu- lar day it is safe to say that each of them, including Ginger who had made seven trips was sick enough to give up the job; in truth they were between the devil and the deep blue sea, for 1t was useless to complain. Everyone turned in that night with Q Ing '.c. and since hope that all p.n'd te we'll by morning. Wednes 1 day was, to our delight, beautiful day; the sea was calm and the ship ran smoothly. Besides the band. Cap l tain Burrage had picture show add ed to our list of duties. These two were a great help to revive the old memories of our dear country Noth- | ing unusual happened Thursday. The sea was calm again and all had hopes elf reaching "Gib" without another serious attack The week ended with very good results. We had be- come more or less accustomed to the roll of the ship and everyone settled down to his respective task. Sunday morning ended our first week of sea. We had not seen land for six days. In- ded we thought we were old salt him. self. Sunday was spent very quietly, inc routine was knocked off Every