South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-02

see the organization after they reached overseas.
Passes to New York were given and everyone vas GO
ing somewhere, intent uPon having a good time the
last few days they had spend in the United states.
the time OF departure drawing At last 1t
came no more passes were granted and all were for
hidden 10 leave the company street.
Our last meal Camp Mills the
call to blow at midnight Little sleep was gotten that
night the majority Of the had their packs
rolled in readiness TO leave. Midnight and the
regiment ready to leave. The order given 10
sling packs and the headquarters company heading
regiment started hike to the electric
which would carry the outfit to Long Island City. The
were loaded to full capacity and with the packs
there little for
BOYS MOUNT FERRY BOAT.
Long Island City the regiment boarded a ferry
boat and at 6 O'Clock locked at a warehouse the
New York side OF the river The warehouse was filed
troops waiting board the transport Red Cross
workers busily engaged giving the hot cross
buns" and coffee. and after several hours wait the
work of loading started. Soldier after soldier fled
past the emoarkaton officer Justify shouting his name
rank and boat number. and then the gang plank
His Majestys transport The Empress Of Britain.
Soon 137th board the transport and being
initiated into the workings OF ship. Dinner was
served and the ship prepared for sailing About
2:sO O'Clock the tugboats appeared and at O'Clock
the pulled into the river and the sailors ad
started journey TO Liverpool.
England. Slowly the big transport steamed down the
river; fareWes waved to the boys from the pass
ferry boats, and the OF "Over There. which
the regimenta bard playing they shouted their
goodbyes the Statue of Liberty.
Wen you in year, old girl" was the parting
of of the men, for one expected TO re-
turn home at earlier date.
Seaplanes lowered overhead and sub-chasers played
tag with each other around the ship, but surely we
going alone; where convoy
This suspense did not last long, however, found
the 10 remaining transports and a British cruiser
waiting for us Just sight Of land The boats
W. shaped formation, with the cruiser in
Guard details posted over the ship
instructed put their life belts and
keep them The only time the belts might be re-
while sleeping, and the majority found
they afforded one a sense Of protection when
used pillow.
BEGIN LIFE BOAT DRILLS.
following day life boat drills inaugurated
and each company assigned certain portion CT
the deck to occupied when the abandon ship" sig
nal given.
Four blasts the officers whistles blasts OF
the ships the signal for drill First call
board the transport sounded o'clock. At this
time hunks were mace up and those not fortunate
as 10 secure bunk rolled their hammocks. The men
o. &C" provided with double tier hunks
while those on the below obliged 10 sleep
III canvas hammocks suspended from the ceiling.
Fresh air in the lower decks something seldom
found The port holes opened by the ships
the took the privilege of doing
so themselves This generally resulting in soaking
for those near the port hole. if the was the
least rough the water came rushing through, which