The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-08-25

American Port in Western France
July 2S.-(Correspondence of The
Associated Press)--An American
Armada of Is great transports
bringing $4,000 fighting men to
France had came quietly into port
during the night and the landing OF
this little army was soon to begin.
Going on board the transport The
Associated Press correspondent had
an opportunity to'see the equipment
for this huge undertaking, and how
the men had lived and Jared on their
trip across. 1t was long climb up
the rope ladder to the deck of a
former Ward liner rebuilt as trans
port. Soldiers packed the decks and
were thick in every cabin, hatch
and between decks down to the very
bowels of the ship. The spacious
promenade deck had disappeared,
and in its place were long lines of
"standees", or metal hammocks, for
the men to sleep in the open on
deck as we'll as between decks.
The men looked we'll, and the re-
port from the sick bay showed only
six cases of sickness out of 5000
men aboard, very good showing,
said the doctor. In the mess hall
a relief Of men were taking their
There was no sitting
down at table. The men stood at
high troughs, very clean and practi-
cal, each man with his own tin plate,
knife, fork and spoon, tossing oft
with relish the hot coffee and good
white gread and butter. We tasted
this bread and found it a revelation
real bread. so different from the
potato bread we are used to as war
diet. Anu real butter. a luxury for
soldiers only, which 10 ne begrudgl
ed them.
Tiny Blue Lights.
Between the decks tiny blue lights
we're burning to let the men see
heir way about with some degree
Of freedom. These are the only
lights aboard, no lights on deck of
any kind to avoid danger of fire.
At night the men felt their way
about.
The living quarters between decks
we're scrupulously clean. and even
lfter ten days of this crowded life
ltlOat there was not trace of odor,
he floors were scrubbed and there
vas no litter about. 1t would have
.heered the heart of an exaCting
lousekeeper.
The Admiral says it is the clean
st transport afloat," said the naval
'fficer with as much pride in the
ecord as one in craftsmanship.
In the wash rooms, the men
we're at long porcelain wash troughs
Everything showed the spic and
pan neatness of the efficient naval
In the kitchen galley
avory dishes were being prepared,
nd in the bread making plant the
ong line OF ovens were turning out
tacks of white bread for these 5000
earty eaters. This was a meatless
ay, for civilians, but one of the
egro cooks offered US a taste of
he steaming meat surry, which
Iould have done credit to 4 Paris
hef.
An exciting event of the trip was
earned as we passed along. Most
t the voyage had been uneventful.
tut. nearing this side lookout had
Ignalled the appearance of 4 peris-
ope. Soon the deck guns got into
ctiion, and two depth charges were
ropped over the spot where the
eriscope was last seen. But there
as no further sign of hostile craft.
the depth charges took effect
ley left no trace for there was no
reckage on the water. Very soon
lie incident had passed and some
t the ships did not even know
1ything unusual had occurred.
Deadly Depth Bombs.
On the upper deck we saw the
eadly depth charges and the long
'boggan slide along which tthey
e started on their errand. The
larges were in metal sylinders the
re of cask, two on each side
ady to drop over.
Besides these the gunnery Of
GER was proud Of the possession
guns made for use on battleships
1t mounted here OH deck.
"TheY will out shoot any sub