The citizen., 1919-01-23
Marine Bases,
Coney Island,
January 8, 1919.

Of for the last three days will al
ways be stamped in my mind, al
experience that can never be blotte,
out Of my memory.
II fell TO the part of me and m,
little ship with others like me tC
pull out of New York harbor tn,
morning Of the 2nd, with a bitter
northerly wind blowing of shore
and go to the rescue of the stranded
transport, Northern Pacific, beachec
high and dry off Fire Island at Bay
Shore, Long Island
You do not know what ground
swells are on The sea, but IL is the
most treacherous condition that a
sea can be in. When we arrived
and reported TO the flagship for
duty, We We're ordered to go along
side the Northern Pacific on her
starbpard quarter and take troops
off and take them TO the Hospital
ship, Solace, anchored about a mile
off shore. That meant almost that
they were going TO sacrifice some
of the S.C's. in desperate effort to
get the sick and helpless off of the
transport. There were about ? 500
troops aboard and big majority
sick or badly wounded. In ground
swells, if they catch a ship right,
the rudder and propellers are abso-
lutely useless appurtanances. Water.
ship and all are moved helplessly
over the ground and completely at
the mercy OF the swell.
We deciding it to be a physical
impossibility TO carry out orders
and also responsible for the ship,
refused to endGnger the ship. So
We anchored two miles off shore
and waited for the sea to die. Next
morning the sea had calmed some
but not much and before daybreak
we were ordered in again by Cap.
bdii WIN oCiuf ~ ntli Will tut
ship, go ahead" All right, we took
an extra hitch in our belts, dOnned
life jackets, up anchor, started full
speed ahead and put our trust IN
the powers that be. | was thought
full enough to put the 500 odd
dollars belonging to the ship in my
inside pocket for | certainly didn't
think we would make it. II was
bitter cold with drifting snow
which made it much better of
cOursel We signaled the Northern
Pacific TO have lines flapped down,
ready TO shoot us as soon as we
come close enough. Ii was one of
the most nerve-racking experiences
have ever gone through. | think
| aged ten years in ten minutes
when we were going alongside.
There was quite a lee to leeward
Of the massive transport and we
made for this quiet spot in the sea.
All went off fairly well. Lines
were quickly passed to us and we
were alongside, the feat accom-
plished.
Then they lowered to US in
stretchers some Of the most pitiabla
sights of human beings that had
once been men. that | have ever
looked upon. Some blind, many
minus one or two legs, many arm
less, hips shattered, voices gone,
hearing gone, pinched and unshaven
faces, limbs and body wasted away
to the mere skeletons of what was
once healthy, sound bodies. And
all with wonderful smile on their |
face. Often my voice got husky and |
tears swelled up in my eyes and ! ]
had TO turn away and make an
awful effort 10 keep from breaking |
down. | gave away about six pairs
Of gloves 10 gloveless soldiers and
marines for il was bitter cold still /
with a high wind.
said 10 one chap in a stretcher,
How do you feel, fellow?" He said. |
"Oh, bully for man with no legs"
| was tucking the blankets around
the feet of one fellow who said,
Sir, no use to do that; my legs are
IN France somewhere" There were
a lot of marines aboard that sur
yiNed that big battle at Chateau
Thierry. The well men were taken
10 destroyers and cruisers anchored
of shore, and the wounded 10 the
Hospital ship. went for over
thirty hours without a bite 30 eat,
and feel rewarded too. One big
negro soldier, lying legless in a
on our deck. said, | shore
haint got nuthin' agin the Navy
boys"
Seeing those poor fellows, came
nearer TO crying than have for a
good many years.
Trip after trip we made and only