Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-09-03
DESCRIBING A TRIP
ON THE OCEAN

ON THE OCEAN
Frank Kronenwetter of Mosinee,
who is in the Headquarters company,
Gath Infantry, 7th Division, A. E. F.,
has written to his mother, Mrs. C.
Kronenwetter, the following letter.
which will be of interest to his
friends and those who have boys
crossing with the 7th Division.
Camp Mills,
Long Island, N. Y,
August IS, 1918.
Dear Mother:
Started to take our long trip Tues
day and broke propeller two days
out of New York. We left the convoy
and turned back arriving yesterday
afternoon and locked at six o'clock.
This morning we came up here. Don't
know when we will start again, but
suppose it will be in short time.
Had the pleasure of seeing our gum
ners in action trying to reduce a sub
marine looking thing off the Virginia
coast. 1t was about 1900 yards off,
and they sunk it the seventh shot.
Only few among the boys were very
scared, and it was rather amusing.
Wish | could write some of the things
that happened. There isn't much to
be afraid Of once you see the gunners
shoot. They sure are great. The only
bad feature about it was, we were
alone, although soon after the shoot
ing we could see the tops of several
masts along the horizon. There are
lots of life RATS and we wear our
LOT oil fhn oil e. hol1
also while eating and sleeping we
wear them. At dusk we stand on deck
until it is dark and at dawn we stand
until daylight.
Didn't have a chance to get seasick,
as we had good big boat and it didn't
rock much. 1t is great to watch the
shipping in New York harbor, boats
of all descriptions coming and going.
Saw the statute of Liberty the morn
ing as we were coming up on the ferry.
This is quite large camp and has
a big aviation field in conn ection with
it, where the aviators put the finishing
touches to their education before going
across.
There were seven transports, all
heavily armed with four and six inch
guns with US. Some sub-chasers, two
or three destroyers and one big
cruiser for a convoy. The chasers
left some time during the first night
out. They are great little boats, dart
ing here and there and seem to be all
over in no time at all. Our boat was
right in the center of the formation
Don't know why, unless it was be-
cause we had a General on board. Our
quarters are very cramped, but the
officers seemed to have plenty of room
above on the upper deck. Think I'll
get job waiting on one Of them next
trip.
1t was sure funny when the shoot
ing started. We were lined up for
chow. Some had their mess kits full
of Sauerkraut and WienerS and Spuds
and were standing on the steps be-
tween the top deck and the one below
it. The fellow on the top step threw
up his arms and cried were sunk
Ehe man behind him got, sauerkraut
and wieners on his head and that
started a fight. Some made believe
they were out on the target range at
practice and were talking as they do
over the telephone to the markers in
the target pits, shouting mark 37-re-
mark 16. You see that was the target
numbers they had been shooting at
when we were practicing at Waco,
whenever gun would boom.
The captain of the ship said it was
the coolest bunch he had ever taken
over | surprised myself by laughing
while all this was going on, as / ex-
pected to be quite scared and nervous.
Didn't bother me a bit. I figured
had to face the music if we got hit and
let it go at that, and / ate big sup
per few minutes after it was all
over.
1t is nearly time for chow. Am
wishing | were home today, as it is
Sunday and some lonesome. We
haven't done much but lay around
since we left Waco, and it is getting
monotonous. Will be glad when we
get across and to work. l will be
transferred to the Intelligence Service
and have great deal to learn, such as
signalling by wig wag, arm semaphore,
canofauging and shooting. We won't
have time to get lonely there.
The people here think a soldier is
the only thing that ever happened.
Signs all over, Your uniform is your
pass"
Write to brother Harold and give
him my address. Hope he is all right
and wish he were here with me. Write
on one side only and be careful what
you write, as your letter will be CEN
sored. Hope you are all we'll and
having a good time.
Men that we see coming from
Europe seem tn think the war will ha
over in few months, and l surely
hope it will be-
/ am well and feeling fine and hope
every one at home is the same Love
to you all.