Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-10

ports were added, the latter coming
from Hampton Roads. Every little
while the ships would change their
course and zig-zag.
The men were constantly put thru
drilling as tho subs" had been sight
ed. Even at night the bugle would
sound and the men would be called to
quarters, as tho the danger were
actual, and they would be put thru all
the tactics that such an emergency
would include. He said he believed that
the crew had abandoned" the cruiser
100 times in this drilling.
His experience with sea sickness was
one that he never cares to repeat. Many
of the men were stricken, and even the
sight of a sandbar would have been a
welcome sight, they were so sick of
the water.
On the night of the 25th, two of the
transports collided. Z'rk had taken his
hammock out and str \ it beneath one
of the lifeboats and was suddenly
awakened to find great commotion on
the ship. Men were running about and
to his inquiry. he was told that the ship
had collided with a transport. but ii
was all the result of the collision be-
tween the transports.
Signals were being flashed between
the cruiser and transports, and when
the big searchlights were finally turned
on the two transports. it was seen that
holes had been torn in the sides of each
but, fortunately, above the water. line
Soldiers could be seen hurrying to and
fro, and there was much excitement
The next morning the two damaged
transports were missing, having been
sent back to New York for repairs.
link also tells of his experience in a
storm at sea; the'difficulty Of eating at
such a time. for as the ship would
roll in the seas over would go men.
mess tables and everything else.
Aboard the ship were two pianos and a
player piano. and he said that had it
not been for the diversion afforded by
these they could hardly have stood it,
crossing the great expanse of water.
During the trip across all lights were
extinguished at night and lookouts
were stationed everywhere.
On May 2, the ships reached the war
zone and soon after received a wire
less from ship about twelve hours
ahead saying that three subs" had
been sighted, which had chased the
ship. Then for four days and nights
the men had no hammocks and but
very little sleep. At night the men
wore lifebelts, the gun crews were kept
stationed at their guns. keeping them
constantly turning, ready for immediate
use. However, the ships passed thru
the danger zone without getting a sight
Of the enemy.
Another exciting experience was that
of meeting a suspicious ship. When
sighted she seemed to be trying to get
away, showed no colors, and ignored all
signals from the cruiser. which finally
gave chase only to find that she was
an Italian ship. which apparently
feared at first that the cruiser and con-
voys were enemy ships.
On the morning Of May Z. the ships
were surrounded by seven torpedo
boats, that had come out to meet and
escort the transports to port. The
cruiser then turned about and started
upon the return trip to this country,
which it reached without any exciting
experiences, sighting land on May Il.
and dropping anchor in Hampton
Roads.
n. link says he was so delighted
: gain TO see land. and especially his
native land, that he wanted to leap
overheard and swim ashore, and that
finally when he was given shore leave
and again felt mother earth under his
feet, on which he had not set foot in
nearly four weeks, he could have got
down and rolled hike colt on the
grass"
He is enjoying his stay at Hampton
Roads, and says that airplanes are
thicker than birds, and are flying in
singles and groups constantly.