Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-02-26

cept the bread and butter. Drinking
water could only be gotten twice
day, In the morning and evening. The
only water we had to wash in was
salt water, so we had a hard time
keeping clean. Anyone who wanted
to sleep on deck during the trip was
permitted to do so, as it was rather
warm in some compartments of the
boat.
Submarine drills were held every
morning and evening when each one
had to report at his raft. Sometimes
the drill call sounded at night which
meant for us to make double time to
get to our raft. Exercise drills were
also held every forenoon.
During the entire trip we were not
even allowed to remove any clothing,
not even our shoes, so that we should
be prepared to report at our RATS in a
few moments, whether day or night
s~. Our life preservers had to be kept
on all the time and so we had to sleep
with them on. The Y. M. c. A. fur
nished music, singing, boxing match
es and other amusements, besides
story-books, checkers and dominoes.
Attacked by Submarines.
All the matches and search lights
+ had'to be turned in to the supply SER
geant before the ship left the harbor.
No one was allowed to light a match
or to smoke between sunset and sun
rise. In the daytime smoking was
permitted and cigars and cigarets
could be lighted from lamps on decks
for that purpose. Wrist watches
could not be worn during the dark.
Below deck during dark, blue lights
we're used which could not be seen
by the enemy submarines. The entire
trip across was very enjoyable as the
water was calm, but there were three
submarine attacks. First, two sub.
marine attacks occurred when we
were within few days. journey from
France. But these submarines were
destroyed by the firing Of cannon from
transports and the dropping of depth
bombs; and the last attack occurred
the day before landing at Brest, which
was the worst sub-battle witnessed
This time life boats were lowered. II
took place at five o'clock in the after
noon while we were all lined up fol
mess. The convoy came into nest
of subs which ended up in a desper
ate battle, the big guns we're put into
action, our dept bombs we're dropped
land after destroying one of the U
Boats, the excitement came to an end
After his confusion, mess kits and
chow we're found all over the decks
'-r- Arrive at Brest.
The convoy left Newport News, Va.
on Sunday morning at 500 a. M. or
Sept. 9Th and arrived at Brest, France
on Saturday, Sept. 21st, in the fore
~ noon, and we alighted from the shi]
4 at 2:4O in the afternoon. Land wa,
seen about six o'clock in the mornin,
which made Us all feel happy that W,
might get a glimpse of the unsee1
country.
The convoy consisted of nine trans
ports, the cruiser Huntington, one Dc
stroyer and a torpedo boat: While
couple OF. days from France, (Brest.
a convoy of thirteen destroyers me
us, and so the cruiser Huntington, th
destroyer and the torpedo boats this
accompanied us this far, turned BAG
to the United States. = - !.
The total mileage made during th
entire trip was four thousand mile
On account Of trying to avoid the dal
gerous places of the enemy. The Re
landia was loaded with 1900 trool
and $40 creWmen. This trip was 7
fourth made by this ship carryir
khaki soldiers. The first trip leaviI
United States was on the 18th Of Ma
1913. On the 3Oth Of May: they W
messed one Of the worst U-boat ba
ties which had ever taken place.
SIS There were several cases OF sic
ness while at Brest and some unft
tunate soldiers were left behind VI
later were traua1egyO6 "a oth9 1ya1c