Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-10-12

putting tug came alongside and moor
ings were cast of, gradually the gap
became wider, and we became soma
rated from shore. Soon the majestic
ship was Steaming out OF the harbor.
l took last fond look at the skyline
OF the city, but my look was to be
cut short because soon the order
came for all hands to go below. be-
cause we must not be recognized as
troop ship. But the order came
just too late for recognition by a
passing ferry on which every one lot
out rousing cheer, and good bye.
When we were allowed on ship
again the city had disappeared in
the distance and night was covering
everything. 1t was just at sunset
and everywhere were seachlights
guiding our paths. You know our
ship was perfectly dark, every win
dow and port hole was covered At
sunset the order is heard every night,
"An hands darllon ship" which
means that all port holes must be
closed and no smoking on decks, even
luminous wrist watches must be COW
cred. All matches and flash lights
had been collected previously I
was soon sleepy because the past few
days had been strenuous ana | went
to my StaterOOm, but 1 was soon
aroused because every man had to be
issued life belt and shown his
abandoned ship station" Most Of
the night was spent in this drill.
But | must tell you about my state
room. ! have a nice large one which
I share with two other captains. 1t
is large and roomy, has bath and
toilet attached. There is tub as
well as shower bath with hot and
cold water, salt and fresh water.
There is desk and two wash basins.
1t is very comfortable, even If it is
hard at night when all windows are
closed. All windows on the entire ship
are closed, but we don't mind paying
that penalty for safety. Yet some
nights ii has hcen cold enough 20 use
! a blanket. You know that only q
very few nights have | been able to
undress, most OF the time I have
slept in my clothes and in my life
belt because that was the order and
believe me, l am soldier enough to
J obey such orders.
The ship has not stopped since it
started and when the next morning
came we realized that we would not
J w oicibS, IiiCiS wei Z ololCl SHIPS. i
! wish that | could tell you all about
| this convoy. | will remember it and
when l come back I will tell you all
| about it. We soon realized that this
| was no pleasure journey and that the
| ''war zone" now stretched from coast
! to coast. The ships crow is alert
| and lookouts" are everywhere
There are many eyes wide awake
There is an unrest, but it Is q pre-.
cautionary one. The unrest is just
| sufficient to arouse the sport in one
! We began to realize that we have
| severed our home ties. We are
| going. Some Of the mon stand apart
| and stare in the water, then pull
| themselves together and set their
! faces eastward to overtherc. There
| lays the great adventure and we are
all looking ahead and not back. We
arc going forward day by day, polk
ing our prows deeper and deeper into
| the submarine zone, the "Aqua Yer
boten" Of German frightfulness, The
best guess Is that they are focussine
kall the resources of devilish ingenuity
Iupon our destruction, but against
Ethese secret assassins Of the sea
Uncle Sam has pitted his best wit