Newport daily independent., 1918-08-24

 July Correspondence of The Associated Press .)-An American Armada of thirteen great transports bringing 36,0O0 fighting men to France had come quietly into port during the night and the landing of this little army was soon to begin.
 Going on board the transports The Associated Press correspondent had an opportunity to see the equipment for this huge undertaking, and how the men had lived and fared on their trip across. It was a long climb up the rope ladder to the deck of for mer Ward liner rebuilt as trans port. Soldiers packed the decks and were thick as flies in every cabin, hatch and between decks to the very bowels of the ship. The spacious promenade deck had disappeared, and in it's place were long lines of "stan- dees," or metal hammocks, for the men asleep in the open on deck as well as between decks.
 The men looked well, 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 relief of men were taking their breakfast. There was no sitting down at table. The men stood at high troughs, very clean and practical, each man with his own tin plate, knife, fork and spoon, tossing off with relish the hot coffee and good white bread and but ter. We tasted this bread and found it a revelation-real bread, so differ ent from the potato bread we are used to as war diet. And real butter, luxury for soldiers only, which no one begrudged them.
 Between decks tiny blue lights were burning to let the men see their 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 were scrupulously clean, and even af- ter ten days of this crowded life afloat there was not a trace of odor, the floors were scrubbed and there was no litter about It would have cheered the heart of an exacting housekeeper.
 "The admiral says it is the cleanest transport afloat,' said the naval off cer with as much pride in the record some in craftsmanship.
 In the wash rooms, the men were at long porcelain wash troughs. Every thing showed the spick and span neatness of the efficient naval man. agement. In the kitchen galley saw ory dishes were being prepared, and in the bread-making plant the long line of ovens were turning out stacks of white bread for these 5000 hearty eaters. This was a meatless day, for civilians, but one of negro cooks of fered us a taste of the steaming meat curry, which would have done credit to Paris chef.
 An exciting event of the trip was learned as we passed along. Most of the voyage had been uneventful. But, nearing this side a lookout had sig nailed the appearance of periscope Soon the deck guns got into action, and two depth charges were dropped over the spot where the periscope was last seen. But there was no fur ther sign of hostile craft. If the depth charge took effect they left nc trace for there was no wreckage or r the water. very sUU7T the iffffe1ietefl1 had passed and some of the ships dlo not even know anything unusual hao occurred.
 On the upper deck we saw the deadly depth charge and the long to- began slide along which they are started on their errand. The charges were in metal cylinders the size of a cask, two on each side ready to droE over.
 Besides these the gunnery officer was proud of the possession of guns made for use of battleships, but mounted here on deck.
 "They will outshoot any subma- rine afloat," said the officer, batting his big weapons as though they were pets.
 In the officers mess hall one of the 1 officers summed up the results of the trip. Most of the men, he said, were from the west, with large number of farmer boys who had never been on the water before. This was great experience, great adventure and they were eager for it. There