South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-02
THROUGH TT He WAR WITH SOUTH BEND BOYS OF 137h
FROM IEEPER PARK TO FRANCE AND BACK AGA

meant work for detail with mops The transport
day at and the sign OF seascknezs
made its appearance. For the following week il was
nearly an mpossibIity TO lind standing TIE
ships rail-
There little TO Go on board the transport excep-
stay deck and keep close watch for all objects
the sea All men while deck supposed 10 be
oohouts orders Forbid the throwing OF anything over
board, the ships officers claimed this would q,
trail which could easily be followed by submarines
night all port holes were closed and all lights which
would show the water cxtinguIshej. smoking al
night forbidden. The snip in entire darkness
except &c: the lights which burned the berthins
spaces. Ii was almost impossible ID the other
boats of the convoy at night This ideal for the
ships safety. As example OF the close watch kept
over the other boats by the cruiser OF the
We're IN CABIN below smoking The cabtn became
hlled with smoke and the portfolio opened just the
least bit for ventilation. The port hole had NOR
than been opened until Of the below
and closed it, saying that the cruiser had just signae
over stating that more care must be taken
FIFTEEN DEATHS AT SEA
board the transport with the 18th field aItiers-
a part OF the S14th tcolOrei) infantry four
companies Of medical replacement troops The frs
transport took its place the head of the convoy
O'Clock in the afternoon and military funeral services
were held aft on the boat. Chaplain GEORGE Fnnegau
OIL the 15tth, oncated and the body released INFO
the During the which took TO make
the trip from New York to Liverpool. England. l.
deaths occurred board the transport OF this
Der y buried sea. the bodies bens
carried into Liverpool they died during the last
voyage.
There little excitement on board the transport
and in some cases considerable humor afforded ll
the seasick members one in particular viii be
recalled by the men which occurred among the mem
bers of the Sl4th. The men were deck and III
colonel Offering al he could 10 those who
had not yet gained their sea legs Upon approach
ing one little fellow who had almost reached the poit
where he ready die, he said. George is there
anything that I do for you?"
George Immediately frightened up considerable cast
his eyes pleadngly the ocean and said Yes sab
just call dis here ocean TO attention"
Plenty Of reading material was furnished bv the
Y mon uhp hon #t,o
majority OF the men spent the evenings reading and
playing cards. The days were deck exercis-
ing and attending lie drill concerts were
given at various times by the regimeutal band The
convoy nearing the submarine danger zone OIL
the coast Of Ireland and the question OF when the
escort or sub-chaSers would arrive caused little
debate among the men. According the sailors this
convoy was to sail into Liverpool the northern
route, which meant would have gone around the
Emerald Isle, then down past scotland Liverpool
ARRIVE IN SUBMARINE ZONE
We were now in what the sailors termed the subma-
rine zone and orders were given that lift belts must
not be removed at any time. which meant seen with
them Life hots had become part OF ones
wearing apparel and to have been without them one
would have felt lost AT last the the shin
that the would the convey early the nesr
morning. However, could nave never told there
any danger within hundreds OF miles from, tl.
morale OF the men, all lively than ever.
To quote of the sailors, This bunch is the limit
the closer we get to the sub more they en-
JOY it,"
Non-commissioned officers from the regiment were
picked for submarine lookout duty on a" deck il, adj
egta red a-
soon as the transport sailed Glasses borrowed
from the officers a close watch was kept by the
men for the escort The convoy was nov two DAYS
from Liverpool and about $50 o'clock mornir
with the aid Of glasses see the escort apid
climbing over the horizon. Whether il was a British
American escort was the subject of dscisso mo,
Stripes. The little drew nearer H. in ann
accompanied by three batteships.
GLAD TO MEET "OLp GLORY"
They Americans" was the word that ,,,,I !. \
from one end Of the transport the other And ire
shout that went up from the was sufficient T.,
lurking For the entire day the iestroysrs a.
the sport. The little boats dart
ed around the bis transports in o manner that one
Of tas instead OF real serious work. almost OF
Of the question TO follow the work Of the little chaser.
minute you would them zig-zaa-snz I'm fror
Of the convoy, and the next they we're almost loss
from sight AT the sky line they would return
encircle the convoy and resume their work or zir-
Tagging The three battleships took their position
the rear Of the convoy and the morning were nc
be
officers informed Us that batteships Meeting con-
voy a very uncommon occurrence but word had
been received that German cruiser had run the block
ade and was searching the high sea for rre n; 7o,
OF the three batleships but that thev yers
within very close distance Of the convoy was the word
passed among the men Life boat were held
twice day instead Of once day before; We were
in the real danger zone. Using TIE words com
handing officer, preparing the worst and
expecting the pest However, with "od Glory" flying
the little destroyer nothing could
dampen the spirit OF those on board.
At one OF the life beat formations the WORKING OF q
depth bomb which is used the navy in batting
the submarines. was explained 10 the men According
the description. the explosion "a depth bomb A.
moro terrific than that or torpedo and shakes the
ship as though Il were toy the hands OF some
giant The following evening was undoubtedly ~. most
beautiful OF the entire trip The sea vas calm and
the more brilliant than ever
SOME FRITZ" COT HIS
The side OF the afforded an excellent tar
for the moon illuminated 4 as though IL were q
movie screen. Few were on deck hoNevc as II vas
rather late and the following day were to land.
About 1880 O'Clock explosion could heard which
sounded though the boat had run aground J,st a
dull grating sound the hull ship listed slightly,
the port side and there another explosion so,
tuo,~ 71ff ed har, RI ars+