New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-04-06

In the Mayors room found the
Colonel and Lit. Gehl of our Regi-
ment. After we had exchange |
greetings the Major explained he
had been appointed Chief Police
Officer for the ship. His organl-
cation would consist Of besides he
and his AdJutant. Of two Assistant
Police Officers, two clerks and
two orderlies. He had chosen L..
Gehl and myself as his Assistants.
OF course, was pleased to know
he thought enough of my execu-
tive ability to pick me for the job
but could still see myself HAVING
a birdseye view Of it all from the
Crows Nest. Told the Major of
this assignment. He said he had
other officers to replace men on
on look out duty, well that settled
it. Would have given up a 24-
hour leave in New York if the
Major had something he wanted
me to do, because he is regular
fellow, besides being Major. OF
course. in the Army, you have to
do just what your superiors tell
you, so had no choice in the mat
ter. but the point is, gave up my
anticipated thrills in the Crows
Nest with smile. The Major
and the Colonel gave us a little
talk on the big job before US, Of
the number Of men aboard ship
and the importance of having ev-
erything clean and sanitary. They
impressed upon us that the health
of the men was in our hands.
You know police" in the Army
means keeping things and places
clean and sanitary. The Police,
as it is understood in civil life is
taken care Of by the guard.
The Police Department started
in and worked like beavers all the
Third Day and late into the night.
By eleven o'clock we had our or
ganization all worked out on
paper and were ready to draw the
equipment from the Ship Supply
Office and start our Details to
work next morning. SO a tired
fellow crawled into his little bed
on the night Of the Third Day and
went to sleep. He did not dream
at all. The ship was still tied to
the Pier. The cranes were still
shooting the cargo into the Hold.
The Fourth Day.
Have you ever heard the story
of the Bull that swallowed the
Beef You know it ends, "and
the next morning when the Bee
woke up the Bull was gone. 1t
was the same way with us. The
next morning when we worke up
the pier was gone. The good old
ship was blowing the deep and
no land was in sight. There had
been no fearful and loving fare
wells to Dear Old U. s. A.. but |
Like Arabs at night we silently |
folded our tents and stole away.
The sight that met our eyes as we
went on deck, l shall never for
get, but can not mention, except
to say that one Of Uncle Sam S
Cruisers led the way and the re-
mainder of the "sight" followed
majestically in its wake.
Our Police Details were gotten
under way in good shape. By
nine o'clock brooms and mops
were going and the health of the
Boys and the sanitation of the
ship was being taken care Of.
All had been lovely so far. 1t
was not to continue so. By the
afternoon Of the Fourth Day the
wind was blowing and the old
pond was transformed into noun
tains Of white caps. The old ship
was pitching and rocking in spite
Of the size. Gradually every one
seemed to lose their "pep" and
began getting pale under the
gills. Every one looked at the
fellow next to him and inquired
how he felt The big question
was, who was going to fire the
first gun9 Finally dignifed old,
Major made Decline for the rail
and started to feed the fish. The
first gun lad been fred and the
battle against sea sickness had
commenced-my, some Of them
were sick. So was l, but, SO far
the fish that have depended no me
have gone hungry. Knock on
wood. Was awful sick. my turn
,,r ap1 MY baoI Oh vnu Had