The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1917-09-18


son, William, who Is on board on,
of Uncle Sans torpedo boat des
troyers, and as Mr.. Randall is al
old Mt. Sterling boy we are sur,
the letter will be Of interest I,
many friends:
Sunday, Sept. 2, 1917.
Nv Dearest Mother:
All of your letters and papers
are at hand, at least, | take it foi
granted they are, as l have a letter
that arrived this week and a paper
came in today's mail. However ]
am always expectant for more even
though l don't get them.
Well "Mom" l haven't any cur
rent news for you for the usual
reason, but l can tell you about our
trip across and back in a very few
moments rs II was not very inter
esting or exciting. 1t did seem good
to be at sea again, but even at that
sea going life does not appeal to
me in the least so you can be sure
that you son won't stay in the navy
when this war is over.
Our trip across started from
New York July 81, 1917 when we
picked up several transports of
troops at Tomkinsville and conveyed
them almost within sight of the
Irish coast. We returned to this
country presumably for more and
maybe we will get to go over for
good, this time.
We were out about twenty six
(26) days the entire trip and re-
turned via st. Johns, New Found
land.
We have all played war game in
peace times but this is the real
thing and of course it was an en-
tirely new experience for all of us.
We did not use or wear any whites
(uniforms) at all, only dungarees
(overalls) and as this is an oil
burner, we did not leave a trace of
smoke at all. Lights were out at
dark, or before, and there was no
smoking from dark to, daylight, so
you see the ships were in total
darkness during the night. We
stood watches four on, four off, ex-
cept the look-outs, who worked in
two hour shifts, on account of
their eyes. | stood lookout watches
and believe me, the first few days
of it were mighty hard on ones
eyes, but they finally became used
to it and with good care and all
the sleep we can get we gradually
relieved the strain. But even at
best 'Mom" try the four on, four
off, sometime and see how it goes.
One has to regulate everything in
order to keep in trim.
Then to add TO the festivities we
encountered little heavy weather
about three days from the Irish
coast and we had to eat on the fly
as these destroyers are like a cork,
they roll and pitch without excuse
or reason and it is every man for
at all times.
We sighted several "subs" but
owing to the heavy sea and our
nlertness they did not taTy long at |
all. Returning we came by way of |
st. Johns, n. F. This place is very
interesting as one of the worlds
largest fishing ports, but outside of
hat one industry it is a minus guam
.ity and an exile from civilization,
as you can see by its geographical
location. 1t is English in customs,
birth and manner. A vast majority
Of their merchants are English
BORN and then some are only in bus
ness here; still actively living in
he old country. But among the
native born, they call themselves
Canadians and don't hang for this
King and Queen stuff and very
quickly let one know it too. Their
Governor is appointed by the King,
'ut that is to be expected. The Z.
). is very highly regarded by them.
The church in st. Johns is one
If the most beautiful | have ever
'een in, of Gothic architecture en-
irely, an immense structure of
tone. The interior, that is rafters,
to-, of massive walnut beams. The
hancel and altar are larger than
III Of st. Johns in Covington
where attended) and then some.
hey have a beautiful organ and
he altar itself is beautiful in its
implicitly, for a church that could
ford so much more than they
ave. You are aware the church