Norwich bulletin., 1918-07-20
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS What Eastern Connecticut Boys Are Doing In Various Branches of the Service.
Another Promotion.

Jay s. Ricketts, who has been with the U. s. Atlantic patrol forces since last August, writes the following let ter:
 U. s. S. Yamacraw.
 July l. 1918. Dear Folks:-
 Before putting again to sea, just a moment for writing to inform you that your sea-salt is all o. K. and very much alive, etc. This is the first sum- mer in years that I've not been great ly troubled with hay fever-guess l have to inhale too much salt water through my nose.
 We have spent a month doing many needed repairs, overhauling and dry docking. The hull of this goodly cruiser was SC. completely covered with barnacles (perhaps this is what made her so uneasy at seal that she has had to be scraped from stem to stern. So we have had a delightful rest, and sort of vacation. The weather has been great, but of course very hot. You know, in this southern cline they have no rain in summer; they save it all up and let her rip about Novem- Der. Last year it rained 2S days al- most consecutively in that month There is wonderful swimming here and we put in most of our time at the bay on the white shore of the Med. Received plenty of mail on this trip; | several from home, including the let l ters you sent from Springfield (what fine trip you must have had in "our' Packardi), very good letters from Mrs H. and Mrs. B.; a very fine one, in- deed from Mrs. L. W. W, whom you must thank for me. Tell her | enjoyed it very much and would an swer it were we not limited in our 1 letters, as the mails are getting toe large. Of course I had the usual bud i get from Persippary.
 | l understand we are to be relieved l before long, for the powers that be- who run this outfit. have just realized l that it is a pretty big strain on a mar to work constantly in the danger zone It makes me laugh when I read in the 1 papers about some men who have 1 been across once, and they think that | every man who goes through the dan | ger zone should be awarded some kinc | of a medal. Here we haven't beer anywhre else since last August. Or 1 that basis | should have to bring my medals home in the hold of the ship
 I. think I'll not let you know wher | I'm coming home, so as to give you ( l big surprise, still I might find nothins | LO CoI II u4u tIIdl, anu l III HOl pre- pared to face such a serious disaster
 We'll. I've gone up again, for nov I'm chief commissary steward for tht entire ship. buying everything that i' eaten on board. Besides my duties a. master at arms, am still in charge O a five finch rifle while at sea, havinl it's warm reception for Fritz when h. pokes his snout up for air. Many time I've seen him wish he had wait ed a couple of minutes to take in tn scenery.
 I am convinced now that Fritz ha had his compass so jared that h. couldn't plot a course for Helgolan, and wound up on the Jersey coast it's a good thing for it will wake then up and let them know what we've bee sailing around with for the past year
 1 will surely write you again in couple of weeks when we reach ou next port and let you know that all i O. K, etc.
 Very glad Bradford is safely across he sure will have an eye-opener an when he returns will look like a ma of 50. l have lots of gray hairs nov would you believe it? I don't believ he'll be there very long. as everythin looks like the grand finale by the CT tire company very soon now and want to stay until the exit marc plays.
 I'll say good night and turn int my bunk (have a fine stateroom nov shipmates with chief quartermaster
 With much love.
 JAY.