Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-10-09
SEA GULLS HELP IN
FIGHT AGAINST SUBS
Olof Roen, One of Our "Seadogs'
Writes Interesting Letter from
Norfolk.

Writes Interesting Letter from
Norfolk.
Norfolk, Va
Sept Is, 1918.
AS a pastime this evening, I will
pen a few lines to the Willmar Tri-
bune. It may interest the folks at
home to know how we sailors are get
ting along. Can say I am we'll and
like it fine out here. They don't call
us Sailors here but "Seadogs;" but
if it were not for the seadogs, tell me
how the soldiers would get across to
help poor Belgium and bleeding
France so whether they name us sea-
dogs or sailors, we feel we are doing
our bit in this great struggle.
About two weeks ago, was trans
ferred to the armed guard. Came near
Norfolk, Va, after three months stay
on battle ship. 1t seems nice to be
on shore again and this is better life
than on ship. We have plenty of
fresh water to wash our clothes in and
fresh water for a shower bath while
on the ship we received five quarts
of fresh water day in which to wash
our clothes and take a bath so you
can see we did not have much water
to waste. When out south we always
used our white uniforms; except after
dark in the evening, when on top
decks we had to use the blue because
the white could be seen for such
long distance. A submarine might
get the range and launch a torpedo
at the ship. The periscope of sub
marine is hard to see in the dark and
especially when sea is rough. In
the day time the sea gulls will fol-
low the submarines, even through
many miles out. Altho the submar-
ines are under water, the sea gulls
do not lose their trail and in this way
many ship has been saved from a
torpedo. A sea gull is white bird
about the size of crow and they are
great help in locating a sub.
This camp is a very nice place.
We have barracks to sleep in; one for
each gun crew; there are eight men
to the crew. We get good chow.
When I say 'good chow" do not
mean that we get cake and pie and
eats like we used to at home but we
get along without all that sweet stuff
and believe we are healthier too.
When I enlisted, weighed 1872 lbs.
and now I weigh 154 lbs, so if gain
that much every six months, I'll be a
big boy by the time the war is over.
How long we will stay here, can
not say but as our crew has had train
ing on the three, five and six inch guns,
we hope to get transferred to SUBJ
chasers; go across and play hide and
seek with the submarines.
Some time ago, while our ship was
in the York river, I had the pleasure
of visiting Yorktown; about half
mile from this little old village Is the
place where CORVALLIS surrendered
to washington one hundred and thirty
five years ago. AS I was sitting here,
viewing the silent hills, the battle
fields of my country's last great strug-
gle for Liberty, I sensed the thrill
that pulsed thru the hearts of the Am
orleans who had fought and bled for
my independence. Those Americans,
my forefathers. I could see the masts
of American warships lying in the
York river where one hundred and
thirty-five years ago, a great French
fleet hammered in British Squadron
a little ways up the river. could see
a transport loaded with American
soldiers steaming out to sea bound
for France to repay the debt we owe
that country thru which help our
Freedom was won. How changed the
conditions are since Its. Now even
England, our oppressor one hundred
and th1rty-fve years ago, is America
brother in arms. The English, since
the surrender of CORVALLIS, have seen
the light of Freedom for all humanity
and today are fighting side by side
with America to throw the yoke of the
huns; the huns yoke if fastened on
the necks of humanity today, would
make the English yoke on America
before the revolution a mere frame
word of toothpicks in comparison.
cannot fight with Washington; fate
brot me into this world nearly hun
dred years after he died; 1 cannot be
president of my country; cannot lead
the armies or command our feet but
I can be an American or American
sailor, can give my all in my coun-
try's defense, can help to make my
ship the strongest of it's type, l can
learn more about the handling of my
gun, can be better sailor and bet
ter American than l have ever been
before.
A gun pointer,
Olof E. Roen,
Armed Guard Crew 1913,
c o Receiving Ship,
Norfolk, Virginia.