Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-28
AN ARRIVAL OF
AMERICAN SOL
DIERS IN FRANCE

American Naval Base FRANCE,
Sept ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
latest convoy of American transports
arrived at noon to-day. and it was an
inspiring scene to see this stately
procession under the bright midday
sun, with stiff breeze whipping the
flags, the decks crowded with Amer
lean soldiers. and the piers and castle
walls black with cheering people. as
the feet moved majestically past the
outer capes to the sheltered inside
harbor. Often the entrance is
under cover of darkness, to cheat the
submarines which have appeared of
late off the harbor mouth. But the
entrance to-day was in broad day
light so that the whole city had
chance to turn out and see the sight.
It was just 11.40 when the first de-
stroyer was seen on the silvery water
out between the capes. At that dis
lance, three miles, 1t looked only q
speck as It turned the capes. leaving
thread Of smoke behind. This was
way and on the lookout for any dan
ger along the path. 1t came straight
into the harbor. its work done while
the main fleet. keeping compactly to-
gether began to file between the
capes. Ahead was large destroyer
with four stacks, and behind it on
either flank two other four stackers.
This was the forward protecting bar
rage of destroyers in a great arc.
hNa H.
yond the white cliff Of the cape. and
grew notwithstanding decks. fun
nels, belching smoke. and then the
mammoth hull of a 20,0O0-ton trans
port, formerly German trans-Atlan-
tic liner. Soon another appeared
another former Geman liner-and
then still another German liner.
"Off to the right of the big ships
was line of destroyers-the star
board barrage-and to the left an
other line, the port barrage, and
astern was another one Of destroyers
forming the rear barrage. Thus en-
veloped the big ships passed into
the anchorage, the destroyers drew
off to their buoys. and soon lighters
were along side bearing ashore this
new consignment of many thousand
American troops.
1t is scene oft repeated now as
day after day and night after night,
bu: often as it is, it is always a stir
ring sight, and one which makes the
blood Jingle, as these thousand of
fighting men pour out Of the west.
The American Naval Base present.
ed a wonderful panorama this BRIGHT
day. spread out across the water and
along the shore. Besides the fleet
which had just arrived there was the
throb of huge naval activity ashore
and afioat, over twenty miles Of shore
line enveloping this deep blue basin.
In front lay score Of the big trans
ports which had come during the last
week, most Of them like those Just in,
German liners.
The irony Of fate" remarked the
observer as he pointed out the many
German ships freighted with Ameri-
can troops.
: hospital ship now passed to the
left On the decks lay long line Of
stretchers, each bearing a wounded
soldier bathing in the sunlight and
salt air. They are going home" said
the navy doctor. They are cases in
which the wounds incapacitate them
from returning to military service
legs off, arms off. or other permanent
disability. But they are we'll enough
along to recovery to permit travel
ing, and SO they are going home for
their wooden legs and arms, and after
thai, we'll"
At o'clock to might've hours
after the fleet of transports had
reached the anchorage. the huge de-
barkment had been accomplished, and
the last man was ashore and in camp.