Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1918-12-26
Anglers, France.
November "a, 1918.

November "a, 1918.
.r Father:
his day is set aside as Fathers
- in the A. Z. F. and thanks to thu
ing of the censorship somewhat,
/ have lengthy story to tell so vii
in at Camp Mills, n. Y.
We left that camp at 2 O'Clock the
hit of the goth of November, 1917
zee O'Clock found us on the ferry
nd for Brooklyn and our ship, which
. the FenadOras, was a speedy one
ugh not large, and rode the rough
well. We had good meals while on
I'd but could never 20 the meat. 1t
!; steam cooked and had taste of
own, but the rice, spuds and beans
b their own baked bread was excel
he 9th was a very cloudy and
ally day with an equally rough sea.
ut Thanksgiving / II never forget if
We as long as Adam. ! held on with
h one hand and managed to hold my
ss gear and eat with the other. Some
them though broke there mornings,
n grub, tables and all went rolling
The next second they were coming
k again.
company Els quarters were in the
ward part of the ship on the lower
k. Needless to say we did nos spend
ch time there. Coming through the
f stream all was changed. The sea
calm and it was qcite warm-so
ch so we didn't need our overcoats.
was one of the eorporals on guard
t night after making the rounds and
ing in the ships battery where /
a bon feed and emerged from there
h a half pound loaf of fresh bread
b plenty of butter in the center. |
! myself to the boat deck, the hig-
one on the ship, where Sid Keith and
inished the loaf and admired the
le-a calm moonlight night at sea-
ships showed no lights. The only
of life was when they changed re-
), then youwould see one come seram-
q down from the crow S nest and
Their going up. Our ship was armed
and aft, but they did not have the
nee to use them.
n leaving the Gulf stream il was
in cold and met with rough seas 1t
.inued this till we neared the shores
rance
e arose early, had our roll call on
well deck and as we neared the |
ger zone stayed thus for two hours,
re we had drills and lectures on
ping overheard and manning the life
5. Our life belts were as much a
of us there as a gas mask was later
Company F had the lookout guard
e f had the ship guard The ord
e company had charge of the sani-
conditions of the ship. During the
we had physical boat drills and
alarms a plenty. Each company
its special place aboard and was
nually reminded of that place.
ERE were seven in our convoy in
ng a cruiser and destroyer and any
that hove in sight away would go
destroyer to question her, then back
would come to her place. We had a
sr with us. She was heavily laden
some days had a hard time. Some
lie waves would nearly cover her up,
up she would come with the water
ing off her deck. Coming across we
a whole school of porpoise and a
2 fish. We would sit around
eek or look over the rail at the phos-
uos in the water which the. ship
I'd up.
the Sth of December we were cleo
ID by the cry of sails on the port
starboard sides. Soon they hove in
IA whole flock of chasers till there
ten in all After an exchange of
Is they took their places and we
ed down. They were a sight to see
their camouflaged coat of paint. !
rode the waves like lot of eorkS {
lad knots to spare in speed. i
= evening of the 9th unmistakable