The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-09-14
From Edward Young.
An Atlantic Port. Sept II, 1918.
TIMES Newspapers

AL <ANAdhNAC sept. IL, 1JlS.
TINES Newspapers.
Ny Dear Editor. Back again in Gods
country completing trip No. S.
We put into dock at $50 SATURDAY.
evening being blown out OF our course
u hours having met and defeated the
worst outburst OF the elements since
1912 1t certainly was terrible storm.
accompanied by a 1O1 mile per hour
gale which chased the peaceful water in
70 waves 90 feet high, we were tossed
around like a hot french fried in the
mouth OF a hungry policeman. The
storm fell upon US a. 100 a. m. Friday.
Our engines were turning out Is knots
but the gale with Us. we were travelling
at clip Of IS knots. This Will give
you some idea OF the wind velocity The
storm reached It's zenith at 1900 m
everything clamped down we were like
peas in a pod. The waves were break
ing over the obat deck tons and tons OF
water falling upon the ship rolling
harshly from starboard to port creaking
like a sewing ma chine in need OF 80 in
/" Many OF our life boats were dam
aged and lots of other ships riggings
were carried off by the seas Three or
our deck force in performance Of their
duty were washed overheard and arc
now numbered among the toll Of the
sea. Three dandy fellows they were.
too. with always a kind word for their
shipmates. One of them was to be
married upon his return this trip. but
instead Of a bridal wreath some little
girl is wearing that wonderful cold
Star" emblematic Of her sacrifice
Many Of the men were injured BY be
ing thrown roughly against the bulk
heads Two Of the bandsmen sustained
bruises about the nose. 1t seems as
though they couldn't keep the deck IN
der their feet and il few up and hit
them in the face.
No matter how grave and threatening
is the situation. humor is always pres
ent and 1t surely was funny to see some
steps and glides performed on the deck.
which surely would be a revelation in
any ballroom. 1t was impossible TO pre-
pare any cooked food. so We had cheese
and crackers all day but no beer. The
parts in our bandroom were secured. but
that did not keep out the water, 50 we
were kept busy bailing aqua out or our
compartment so as to deny Father Nep-
tune a set OF Instruments. for l am
afraid there would be scandal connected
with the mermaids if he started a jazz
band
We had on board a big black Sammy
who was returning to the States" on
account of heart trouble due to shell
shock He was scared white. I asked
him what he thought Of it, his reply
was: All don't see how any human bein'
can be hitched up to this thing for
years. All been on dis ole ship just
days too long now. Ne for de LIST line
trenches. whar you got some chance. If
you all die dere, dere you are. but II 20
die here where is your"
must be immune from seasickness
as this blow-up didn't even make me
| dizzy. The only thing we could do was
to prop ourselves securely in the pass
ageway or lash ourselves to a bull1head.
spending the time singing or telling
stories 81 700 .. m. the storm had
: broken and the sea began to calm down.
Saturday morning il was again peaceful
and we proceeded norpally again.
| The captain stated it was the worst
storm he had ever encountered AS for
myself l am we'll satisfied that Mr.
Atlantic" can treat EN- rough and re
quire no further proof.
| I found upon my arrival three large
bundles OF the good old TIMEs awaiting
me. I read them eagerly and passed
them on 70 my shipmates who are al
ways anxious TO read them. I had ex-
pected a furlough this trip. but owing
to the fact that our stay is limited, none