Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-05-07
NEWS FROM RAYMOND ]. REIsER

safely to this country from another
| successful trip across the Atlantic.
The Pilot has published several arti-
cles on Mr.. Reiser's exciting experien-
| ces enroute to European points and
back home. He is first class woman
in the U. S. N, on board the u. s. 8.
Kanawha. The following is taken
from his letter received on Saturday.
| which Will be interesting to his MANY
Wausau friends:
New York City, N. Y, Apr. % 1919
Here goes for few lines to LET Won
know that | am back in the good old
U. S. A. Goods Country once more.
We had fair trip this time, but the
seas are still rough, but soon will be
Gained down, so that life on an ocean
wave will be worth living. Our trip
was uneventful outside of a little OK
citement that we had one evening
about six o'clock, two DAYS off the
| coast OF Scotland, on our return Jour
ney, when we discovered that we had
nearly ramnned a submarine without
knowing it. The ship was sailing
along on water that was almost as
smooth as pane of glass this particu-
lar evening, and the captain suddenly
| notlced peculiar wake that circled
| almost way around the ship. On TAX
ing close observation, he discovered
perlscope coming out of the water,
ABOUT Two hundred yards off our star
Doard. tie Immediately threw the
stern OF the ship to the submarine and
then the gunnerS proceeded to show
the German commander how close we
could drop shells to his periscope. and
think he soon became aware that the
snip he was after was an American
Judging from the close vicinity the
shells were dropping), so he left to
seek some vessel whose gunners were
not quite so accurate in their aim. We
hfed twenty-one shots at him in the
course of few seconds, the shells
were leaving the guns so fast that five
OF them were spinning through the air
over the water toward the target be-
lore one hit the water, and the best
part OF it was they were all dropping
IN about the same place although we
were zlg-zagging and making a speed
OF sixteen knots. Five of the shells ex-
ploded, whether from striking the tar
get or whether they were Just poor
smells we could not say, but we could
see the black smoke arise from the ex-
ploslons. The shells have an explo-
slve nose and when they strike the OBJ
Ject they explode and blow it all to
pieces.
We are in New York at present and
will remain here at least a week for
repairs before loading another cargo.
One OF the things that is being done,
is the building of large platform OH
the main deck upon which we will
carry two large sea planes. They will
also use the platform as place from
which to ascend and descend. In a
short time all ships in the overseas
service will be equipped with aircraft
for protection from air raids, etc.
Our crew is now allowed to wear the
stripe OF gold lace and gold star. The
stripe is a quarter of an inch wide and
about four inches in length and is
placed diagonally across the sleeve of
the blouse and the star is placed about
an inch and one-half above the stripe.
These are the same as is worn by the
officers. 1t can only be worn by navy
men who have seen at least six months
actual service overseas. We consider
it great honor to be able to wear
them, and many sailor chap who has
never been over is just itching to get
there, so that he also may be able to
wear them. A crew who has made
three complete round trips to the
european continent are allowed
to wear just the bar, but if they have
had six months overseas service or
have made six round tips through the
war zone, regardless of the time, they
add the star.
tomorrow we take part in big
Liberty Loan parade in full marching
uniform, and landing force equipment.
You know sailor has to be a soldier
as we'll as a sailor. Our equipments
are provided with trenching tools, ETC..
similar to those of the army.
Today | was fortunate enough to
talk to some of our boys, who returned
to the states after having been on the
battle front and over the top. They
are here convalescing and to do Lib
erty Loan work. Most of them have
received wounds. l also saw the crack
company of Frenchmen, who came
over from the battle front. They have
the reputation of going through hell
for France if need be.
New York is very patriotic for the
Liberty Loan and demonstrations are
| in session all of the time in the down
town districts.
Before | bring this letter to a close
| have little surprise to spring. Mrs.
Charles K. Gaffnay, 401 Rose Hill
Place, Elizabeth, N. j., announces the
engagement of her daughter, Kathe-
rine, to Raymond J. Reiser, Yeoman
First Glass, U. S. N. The marriage
will take place in the near future, pos
sibly before he leaves again for "over
| there
Extend my regards to my Wausau
friends, also the Pilot and its many
readers.