The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1918-07-11
NEWS OF OUR SOLDIER
BOYS
Interesting Letters from Our
Boys at Home Camps
and Abroad.
From Don Sanders.

somewhere at loed, June HV-ilSlc Z
we are but 36 hours out of New York
on our return from France cnce
again, and the boat is rocking now
more than at any time on our last
trip, so if | make blot or so don't
blame me- This has been another
hurry up trip, as you can see from
my letter, as they are not far apart
We lay in -, France, only 4o
hours again, just long enough to un-
load the troops and coal up, and ev-
erybody works.
On this trip l have had it quite
easy, as l have not had to stand any
steaming watches. l go on watch, or
turn to, as they call it, at 8 a. m.
and knock off at 11:30 a. M; then
on again at l D. M and off at $3.50. So
am rested up real well, as I get at
least ten hours sleep each night.
On entering , France, this
trip one would think it an American
porth rather than French port, as
there were over a hundred ships in
the harbor and at least rs per cent
were flying the good old Stars and
Stripes. Besides American submar-
ines were in the harbor.
On our trip in this time we saw no
subs, but the U. S. S. California,
which was only one hour ahead of US
and directly in our path, struck a
mine and sank within 27 minutes.
However, none of her crew was lost,
but she was only two hours from her
destination and carried over million
dollar cargo of airplanes and biplanes,
so, of course, was an awful loss. On
our way out and but two hours after
our convoy had left US we sighted a
sub and fired seven shots at it, but
it was too far away to say whether
any of the shots were effective or
not. This was at about 7:45 p. m,
but nothing further happened.
There is great competition among
the transports as to how quick they
can make a complete round trip, and
so far there is one ship that has US
bested by about II hours, we having
to take on so much coal on the other
side. But this trip we have got re-
venge on them, as they started from
New York 48 hours ahead of US and
reached France only "a hours ahead,
left "a hours ahead of US, and
we passed them some time last
night, so are bettering them this
time by more than three days; and
besides we have more than twice as
many troops to unload on the other
side and at least twice as much coal
to take on, but in three successive
trips we have them bested by over
seven days, and this trip alone has
landed better than fifty thousand
troops on the other side, in the past
three months, so you may know "
fast they are getting over All ships
are not as fast as ours and very few
can carry half as many troops.
On our arrival in the U. S. this trip
the third section will get furlough |,
and on their return the first section
will get one, which means that we will
be there for about three weeks. Then
on our next trip the second section
will get leave (that is my sectlon),
but about five or seven days is all
they will grant, so there is no chance
of nv getting home, but will not take
NV leave until this fall, then am
going to try for about Is days. Since
we can travel for third the regu-
lar fare, it won't cost so much for
me to come home, or by that time !
l may get transferred to the west {
coast. surely would like to get home
now, for have so much to tell you
that cannot write and don't think
of when l am writing. / certainly
could open your eyes to many things
YOU hear nothing about On this trip
they took out over six thousand hunks c
and left them over there for the U. /
S. hospital to use and will replace
them as soon as we strike the States. I
l am now in the smoking and read S
ing room and the Victrola is making S
We have some fine records; \
in fact, most of the latest ones, and t
the Victrola is busy about II hours !
out of every day, so it is somewhat !
overworked, but as it is the best that 4
could be bought it can stand it +
Now, mother dear, this is all the
paper l have left in this tablet, so
will have to close for the time being,
but will write often while in the U. S
S. Don't worry for l am safe and in I
the best of health. Haven't known 4 4
what sickness is since | have been "
here. Almost forgot to tell you that t,