The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-29


zone; next day, 1900 miles from
embarkatiOn point and headed fol
the Philippines by way of the Pana-
ma canal, also headed for Liver.
pool, Bordeaux, London, Queens.
town and Halifax. And all the rest
of the days the same line Of infor-
nation. 1t may have taken us five
days to cross and it may have TAX
en- two weeks, or three weeks, but
then we must respect the censor
ship. The above schedule merely
shows how much we or any of the
crew except the captain commander
and his navigators knew about 1t.
Kept in the Dark.
We were kept in the dark. Espe-
cially at night. For all the lights
on the ship except those we'll inside
were turned out All portfolios paint
ed and reprinted, blackened and re-
blackened.
Men were prohibited on the decks
after shutdown, and officers were
placed on their honor not to smoke
on deck, and there were rumors
around that a couple of them were
severely reprimanded and punished
for sticking too closely to the love
Of Lady Nicotine, turning their
backs and brains on Uncle Sammy.
1880 A. M.-Mess line. Messy line
as well. Present mess kits was the
order and you received chow, the
navy term for chuck"
to 3-Confined to quarters and
more information from the sailors
or from soldiers who had talked
with that guy working No. II gun"
They say" conjecturing, was a
decidedly interesting topic. And in
the first few days out the officers
swelled the chaplain's fund by con-
fiscating money from crap and poker
games.
No one was allowed to gamble on
shipboard. Yet everyone gambled
on the prospect of reaching the 9TH
er side. But then Uncle Sam was
banking the game and it was a
square deal all around, although IL
was feared that Germany might
have couple of aces in the hole
and slip across a queer deck Gone
of tht$s kind of decks with a small
turret and a periscope). But then,
we quit even.
s to accompanies were taken out
on deck in turn for setting up exer-
cises.
to Straightforward on the
deck with lots Of water in sight. The
usual near joker pulled the same
old Tets go over on the wine side -
meaning port; and the same com
panion pulled the same old one of
staying on the starboard to watch
for the stars.
Cast Iron stomaehs.
Sunset to Breakfast-Argumen
as to whether the Yentilator was
turned off or on. Sympathy and
coincidence for the seasick men
from others in like predicament
only; Dragging by the chaps who
have cast iron stomachs and more
information as to where we were.
Yes, it was a great trip. Now
that it's over no one would have
missed 1t for q quarter section of
land, but they wouldn't do it over
again for a whole blooming town
ship.
What ship did we sail on?
UNI hum! Isn't it a nice evening
out I'll never tell If you won't.
Maybe the censor will insert the
name in this letter some place. Yes,
and maybe the kaiser will surren-
der Alsace-Lorraine.
Abandon Ship Drills.
Plenty OF excitement was furnish
ed on board on the way over, most
ly by the emergency abandon ship
drills. You see, we were all furnish
ed nice soft pillow life preseryers
and we became greatly attached to
them. The attachment was by brig
ade and ship order and for the last
five days of the trip each man car
ried his hustle" with him even in
mess line.
Then there was the case of the
Austrian who was caught scraping
paint off a port hole window. Of
ficers persuaded one of the sailors
q swarthy complexioned chap with a
black mustache, to allow them to
dope him up with chalk. He was
laid out as neatly as any undertaken
could do, candles placed on each side
Of the head Of the bed, and Red
Cross nurses on board taken to see
him.
poor fellow. did they have to
shoot him"
Eyes, l heard the shot"
II was there just after thes
caught him, and you should have
seen the Austrian fight"
IT was some fun and il didn't do
any harm. But Ii was too bad that
the sailor grew tired Of playing
dead" just as General Yollrath hap
Dened along.
But the heaving Of the ship and
we'll. other kinds, gave way tonight
10 one great big sigh Of rehef, heay-
I'd by everyone on board. Might as
well be confessed that it was a big
nervous strain, this travelling
through the war zone, and smiles
we're in great vogue tonight. In fact,
Il is nearly midnight as I am writ
ng this and / understand the officers
and Red Cross nurses are still walk
ing the decks telling how sure they
were that we would get through the
war "zone' in safety.
ID 10 Now "over Here"
Anyway. it is no longer "over
there" but now "oveF here" and
he general sentiment is. Wont the
folks over there be glad TO know
that we have crossed in safety?
zee! That Will be Christmas pres
snt worth while"
And, by the way, we had Christ |
mas dinner on board today. Regular |
honest to goodness turkey, the same
kind that mother used to bake but
We must maintain that mother could /
give the well meaning cooks Of the !
army and navy just a few lessons.