The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-08


our top decks were being constantly
swept by them. Wave after wave
dashed against the ship making her
quiver from stern to bow and the
anxious faces of the troops betrayed
their fear that we should be wrecked;
however. we, "Old salts of the sea.
having witnessed the like before,
knew that our craft was worthy,
and felt secure. She tossed from side
to side like tOrmented beast and at
the height OF the storm her first row
OF port holes We're even low enough
to dip water. which they did, having
been thoughtlessly left open. In a
second we were ankle deep i'm water
and l, with others, had to face the
incoming torrent i'm order to close the
ports. l stayed i'm wet clothes all day
as everything was soaking. At first
feared my goods, personal effects
had undergone a similar disaster to
that OF Newport, however they were
practically intact. Eating was an al
Most impossible feat. My three meals
for the day consisted of a cup of
coffee (java) for breakfast, two meat
sandwiches for dinner, and two apple
butter sandwiches for supper To set
table with mess gear would have
been criminal, for it was barely pos
sible for you to stay i'm one place long
enough to grab piece OF bread and
meat. Our freshly shellaced deck
OF the sick bay made good
skating rink and it became very
popular as such. If you stood in the
middle of the deck you would prob
ably have your feet knocked out from
under you by person who pre-
ferred members of the body other
than feet to navigate on. If a storm
can roll ship of our tonnage as this
one did l can readily see why you
have to lash yourself to the deck on a
smaller ship. | have heard that all
the great leaders and great men have
been blue or grey eyed but it takes
an easy going. brown eyed fool to get
the real pleasure out of life and such
incidences as / have described above
March %, Wednesday--Sun shining
and sea smooth; great cleaning up af-
ter yesterdays wreckage.
March 2S. Thursday-Smooth sail
ing. Several pneumonia cases.
March 30. Friday-Weather still
good. When lights go off, Harbour.
Crum and / go out on after we'll deck
and listen to our colored friends sing
and play guitars. Does il make US
think of home? Well, I guess it does
March 80. Saturday-On night
watch. Have only ten hypodermics to
give TO patients in open air on top
deck. l have to come down to the
dispensary to prepare each one and
then go up and give it in the black
dark. The sea has roughened up for
the occasion and adds to my easy CD
time.
March 81, Easter Sunday--Spend
most of day sleeping.
April /. Monday-You wouldn't
know 1t was April FOOLS Day. We are
booked to meet our conveys soon. Stay
on top deck till 1890 p. m. Turn in at
IL p. M. but don't get TO sleep till
after one.
April 2. Tuesday-Very foggy and
sea little rough. Meet convoy
about 1890 a. IN. Last night the stars
were not out and missed them sore
ly. It's comforting to look at them
on clear night. They seem to sup
ply the lack of home and friends
Even in the darkness OF last night
though. ] could recognize sweet ia
miliar faces. My God! My God! when
will IL end? j fear to receive news
of B. for what If he may have gone
drive. Reports have It 'ha. we are
enroute for B. Franc. Sleel well and
wake much refreshed.
April 3. Wednesday-On duty in
dispensary. Something supposed to
be mine is seen; however. no great
excitement is caused over it. 3 p. m.
Water becoming green so we can't be
far from French coast. Hope to como
i'm sight OF land tomorrow. There is
signalling between the transports
shortly after lights go off. feel a
IL there's something wrong and init
mate as much to Harbour. This, how
ever. does not make me lose my sleep
April 4. Thursday-The Battle.
Well, well, who would have though,