La Junta tribune., 1917-10-18
SEA VOYAGE IN WAR TIMES
J. W. Shank Writes Story OF Voyage
From New York to BucnOs
Ayres, South America

]. w, Shank. who was located in
this city for three years previous to
1915 as principal OF the Lincoln
school, writes an interesting story
of his recent sea voyage In war times
to South America. MIR. and Mrs.
Shank were visitors In La Junta
in June and July, Just previous to
leaving for South America, the guests
of Mr.. and Mrs. ]. NJ. Hershey. pa
rents OF Mrs. Shank. Mr.. Shank left
last August for Buenos Ayres, South
America. as representative of the
Board OF Missions and Charities OF
the Mennonite church. He was en-
gagged in similar work in that coun-
try just previous to locating In La
Junta. His letter follows:
I will now try to fulfil my prom
ise to write something for your
paper regarding our voyage to South
America. There are very definite
reasons for suggesting the above top
ic. Every traveller at sea in these
times is constantly reminded OF tho
fact that the world Is at war.
We saw the first evidence OF pre-
caution and uncertainty in the chang
ing Of the dates Of sailing for the
steamer "vauban." The dates were
as follows: August 10th. 1lth and
18th. but the actual date of sailing
was August 10th. After the above
mentioned changes in the time OF
sailing the passengers were informed
that they must board the steamer
between the hours of and 10 D.
m. on the 18th. Our party. includ.
ing Rev. T. X. Hershey and family.
with myself and family. came ON
board soon after o'clock. At the
gang plank we had to pass before
about five different officers. showing
our passports sAd tickets. At least
one person who had both passport
and ticket was refused admittaace
because Of suspiesou re9ardsAS his
Identity. There may have been 9TH
ers who had this misfortune, but
we noticed only this one. One Of
Rev. HerHhey's friends came to the
pier to see us aboard. He was not
allowed to 20 upon the steamer. In
fact no person was allowed to 20
near the deck. Having made sim
liar voyage five years ago when such
precautions were not taken, I was
compelled to notice these things. At
that time did not need to show my
passport. and two OF my friends Wis
ited with me on the ship for about
an hour.
Until late that night tho deck
hands were busy loading the holds
with baggage. We went to sleep
with the tune OF screeching pvileys
and the thud OF falling trunks and
boxes upon our ears. On the follow
ing morning We arose early In order
to see the ship pull from the plerA
A steward had told us she would
sail at 1870 n. m. She did not sail
at that time. but while We were at
breakfast mt about s:30 o'clock We
heard the engines and felt the ship
moving. Swallowing our breakfast
quickly We hastened TO the deck In
time to see the steamer stop as sho
came opposite the great liberty
statue which stands. In New York
hArbor. Here she remained until
about ! o'clock In the afternoon. AZ
the time none Of the passengers knew
the cause Of this. but later We heard
tho following story about Il.
II seems y suspicious looking pas
scnser had come aboard on the sv-
ening previous but had disappeared
during the night. Some OF tho pas
senEers had noticed him ON the deck
judiciously watching several hand
grips. A steward had offered to
carry them TO his cabin but he de-
cIarcd he would look after his own
baggage. During the five hours wait
In the harbor tho officers had
searched the ship from end TO end
but could not find tho missing man.
Evidently they decided he had -.
capped with his baggage during tho
night. for Ne sailed away without
any further information about him.
= Another mark Of precaution was
seen the first evening at sea. The
stewards tackled heavy black card.
board around all Of the lishts on the
ship. No light was exposed 10 view
from any side. The result Of this
precaution vas that no one could
see TO read With any ease after dark.
The captain ordered also that all
port hole windows ahould ~ cjoecA