Mexico Missouri message., 1917-10-11
OUT ON THE OCEAN
THE PACIFIC TO MANILA.
Wallace Robinson OF Mexico In U.
S Army With Telegraph Battal-
lion-Writes His Mother Here.

John W. Robinson of Mexico, on
board a U. S. Army transport. writes
Interestingly to his mother here,
Mrs. Ida Robinson, as follows, which
The Message is permitted tocopy:
Dear Mother and Folks:
Pacific Ocean, on the Sheridan
Transport, Sept. IL, 1880 p. m -
Honolulu, Hawaii Islands: Well,
am, or have gotten to be, some fish
since put out to sea. We left Fort
Mcdowell September 5th at 1900
o'clock. The sea was rough from
the Golden Gate out until the last
two days. There was a bunch of sick
fellows for a while l was fortunate
enough not to get sick, but felt
better than l have any time since
spring The trip from Leavenworth
was a pleasant one, and l saw some
rough, as we'll as, deserted country.
There is a fascination about this
life, and really enjoy it. The first
meal on board 1 ate in front of
the carpenter shop. The carpenter
was in and while eating he asked me
if l knew of someone that wanted
to work at the carpenters trade. l
told him 1 did, thinking it would be
a good chance to pass the weary
hours away. 1 fixed things up with
my superior officer and reported for
work the next morning.
We sound the ship each morning
for the quantity of fresh water on
hand. At 7:15 we go to breakfast,
at eight we start to work, and work
until eleven. At twelve we go to
dinner. At one we commence again
and work until four. Our days work
is finished. At five we go to sup
per
We have access to lunch in our
dining room from seven until ten
during the evening. One could not
ask for more and better food to eat.
1t is sure a treat to me. For the
food we've been getting is sure aw-
full. a
I'VE had one real rough night of it
. the third day at sea. The big waves
would break over the boat, making
one think he would be washed away
the next time. 1t was cold and fog
gy the first few days, but the last two
days have been ideal summer days.
Insead of having coal on a fire to
keep warm this winter l will have to
keep a fan busy to keep cool.
We are at present about 2,1O0
miles from San Francisco according
to the bulletin on board. l have
travelled a little better than 5000
milse since one week ago last night
Nothing like it. 1t is actually max
| ing me fat.
1 haven't had much time to spent
with my chum, but have managed t
a slip him some good sandwiches since
{, he recovered from his siege of SET
sickness l have been bothered con
G siderably with my left arm where
8 was vaccinated, but l am gettint
along fine with it now.
l We expect to arrive in Honolulu
E tomorrow afternoon. l may be abl
q to get ashore. But | do not know
O for sure, for each one has to have
pass. 1t is going to be a long, tire
= some trip, for we will be three o
v four weeks on the way after W
! leave Hawaii The ship we are on
p steel structure about 800 feet Ion
, and 40 feet wide at the widest par
4 1t has a draught of about 80 fee
Il and is about 35 feet out of water.
will close for this time, trustin
n that these lines shall find you a
q, well. Write me at Co. D, Third TIE
y egrahp Battalion, Signal Corps, Nj
% nila, P. l., and l will probably get
IF when 1 arrive.
With best wishes, and may Gt
h. bless you all, 1 am, as ever,
a, JOHN w ROBINSON.