Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1916-09-01
LIFE ON THE
v. S. S. MARYLAND
Salina Cruz. Mex,

v. s. S. MARYLAND
Salina Cruz, Mex.
Aug. Is, 1916.
Lincoln County Leader,
/ Toledo, Oregon.
Dear Sirs:-
I Being a citizen of Lincoln Co.,
| thought perhaps you and your
readers would like to hear about
the rush to the Border by sea.
The call came one evening
while the U. S. S. Maryland was
.moored at the Navy Yard dock
at Bremerton, Wash, The rush
started about four p. M. by TAX
ing on board five three inch guns
and three machine guns from all
reserve ships. Provisions of all
>'dnds were loaded on board un-
till eleven O'Clock P. M. We
were up at five A. M. to finish
loading until we sailed at eight
A. M. June 20, 1916.
After sailing for three DAYS
the weather being favorable we
arrived in San Francisco Bay,
anchoring in thirty fathoms of
water off Calf. City. Here we
cook on eight hundred tons of
coal from lighters brought along
side the ship. We worked, a
good part of the night. Then
rising at A A. M. the morning of
June %, continued coaling and
loading stores until we got un-
der way that evening at 5 P. M.
Perhaps you have been to sea
when it was rough, well out side
the Golden Gate going south the
channel or trough Of the sea was
close to the beach and the swells
were very high there which
caused the Maryland to roll
about 20 degrees. This rolling
lasted for some time. There
were crashes and sounds, many
dishes and other small articles
were hurled about the deck, also
causing many men that had
had never been to sea to get sea
sick and that meant a feast for
the fishes.
Sailing a few days we arrived
at San Diego, June 25th. Taking
on board more coal, stores and
fresh water, sailing the same
day for Mayatlan, Mexico.
On our way down we had
orders to stop and take a look
for refugees in Turtle Bay. We
anchored some few miles out
and lowered a motor sailing
launch and twelve of us well
armed were detailed for the trip
around the jagged shores to a
point inside. Entering the bay
there is but one narrow passage
between the mainland and some
giant rocks with breakers on
both sides. We entered all 0. K,
had our look around with the
disappointment of finding only a
few Japanese that had been ship
wrecked and had taken to fish
ing and turtle catching for the
market. We had the misfortune
of having the motor break down
and had to row part way back.
1t was very dark that evening
and the ship had to flash her
search lights about the bay so as
to give us light enough to see
the narrow channel that would
. let us out of the dangerous bay.
), Getting back o. X. we lifted an
chor and continued on our jour-
ney. Lying off Mayatlan 80
. miles for 10 days, we sailed
south to Manzanillo, Mex, arriv-
ing the 7th of July and relieving
the U. S. S. Pittsburg of her duty
there.
Al the above place we men OF
the ship stood gun and search
light watches, playing the search
light every ten seconds. That
is one thing we are always ready
for action and never let the en-
emy get more than the first shot
before we are hot on their
trail. These watches have con-
tinued and will till we sail for the
States once more.
Leaving Manzanillo, Aug. 5,
we arrived at Acapulco on the