Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-31
Manager Brown Writes Of
Our SaWHlill Unit in Scotland

Hon Forrest II. Colby Of Bingham. ,
-nte forest commissioner. Monday re-
.stved a letter from u. +. Brown of
Boston general manager of the saw
Mil units which New England donated
10 tho British government and in which
,,e several men from Maine.
Mr. Browns letter, which tells of the
,rip and many interesting things is as
,ollCWs.
I'VE are az last located near the
picturesque town OF Ardgay. county Of
Ross SHIRE Scotland. many miles from
anywhere and very much out OF the
World We came here immediately
upon landing at Liverpool, rushing
through on a special which consisted
n several day-coachss, and unfortu-
ra.ely no diners. However, we were
literally supplied with a good lunch
rsforo We left the boat. and with the
Aid ~ a few station restaurants along
ne line were kept supplied with sus-
,erance.
We had on the whole very salts
factory ard pleasant trip across. The
Weather was unusually calm all the
va, and scarcely any one was at all
seasick. The mems quarters Nvere.
ndef the conditions as good as could
r. expected. or course they were
snnR together pretty tight in ham
rocks but they were just the same as
me other troops on the ship, and. in
fac, the captain had given us the best
quarters The treatment we received
from all hands was very courteous.
especially from the ships crew. /
newer had the pleasure of meeting a
finer gentleman than Capt. Hambleton,
and his entire Grey reflected his atti-
'ufe and desire TO make everything as
peasant TO us as possible.
some four thousand Canadian
troops embarked at Halifax, various
small drafts, many Of them forestry and
mr. time there was some disorder on
ne boat until the officer in command,
COL Armstrong. got things straight
ened out Before the troops came on,
our men were allowed the run of the
boat bat az soon as we left Halifax
guards we've stationed round and some
YER amusing instances occurred. AS
as result, ! would hear that some of
rur men were in trouble in some sec
non ~ tho ship and on investigation
would hnl that some guard had direct
"a them 10 move on 70 another place
and arriving there another guard had
''ld them to GO back. tho result being
'hat oitentim@7 our men did not know
where 10 90. They rather resented the
military control. hut no serious fric-
ton resulted. and | am pleased to say
that our men behaved splendidly. In
fact. without boasting at all. can say
that We had the finest lot Of men on the
boat and the hest behaved, although
not under military discipline.
"One instance TO show the spirit of
the men, wo were asked TO do our
share IN fatigue duty In cleaning the
shin. ana tho men all took hold OF IL
'nthusias'toaIlv with tho result that
ne next ~, the orderly officer told
mo that We ara tho best work Of any
un,t on board. We had little to relieve
The monotony except the daily muster
IN the morning during ship inspection
for an hour. and boat drill al some un-
announced time in the afternoon. our
mon iivcd M on the boat deck, free
rom all tho soldiers thanks to the
Nndness of tho captain. and in a short
time we were able 10 get n complete
muster within five minutes after the
alarm bells were sounded.
'Forsa time there was considerable
conjecture about the possibility of sub
marines etc. bat as soon as the fleet
M fcstroycrs arrived. the tension re-
'aYef and every one felt safe.
We have been here n few days and
arc getting n biz acquainted with the
country. and are looking over and are
making preliminary preparations for
Tho loetton Of the units. Mr.. Lewis
Tnl Major c"urthope of the British
timber supply department met MS here.
ana escorted us 10 our temporary
caurRround n mile and n half from the
lilaso whore We arc located until our
equipment arrives We have Just re-
coVcd word that the boat has arrived
nnd our horses already on the road.
y VIII he n welcome dav 10 every one
~ p7 when we can get started and a
eng valt has told on all our nerves
ma dispositions.
Tho proposition put MP 70 us pre-
son'' no ultimate difficulties. The
rnhot No arc 70 cut IL Scotch pine
ard larch, averaging just about Is
inches a. represented. The ground
.voop' on one tract ia excellent. in
'7-' mo main body where the ma jor-
t'' - Inc mills will he located /, as
rrc''' piece Of logging as | have ever
'oen There Is a strip Of timber about
'Nr"e ma onc-half miles long by one
faN mldp wide on tho side OF a hill.
Tho timber is 6o years old. standing
'-or - oon ~ IS 0oo 70 the acre. The
Aances arc fair for mill sites. I'D
zone before very long that we will he
III" - accomplish something. At
rrNs"n' our greatest difFlcultN is in get
'1r Tho organization started because
- arc quito out Of the world and there
W. 7i~rul', N getting things we need.
There he no telephone in this coun-