The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-26

ton replied to continue west and that we would pick up an American convoy. We changed our course immediately and continued the jour- ney. I then silenced our radio, no messages to be transmitted, but messages would be received. From then on the world knew nothing of our position: we were silent, no word from us to the outside world. Hence, we were big news in the American press. Where Is the Iroquoisi Has she been sunkp Is she lost and wandering hopelessly on the ocean? have been deluged with cables from the American press asking for news of us. I have not replied to any. These are precautions. The searching of bags and trunks is another precaution. I'm doing everything to safeguard the pas- sengers If the danger Is to come from within. Every piece of bag gage aboard has been searched be- longing to the passengrs and the crew; every corner of the ship has been searched for time bomb. If there Is e time-bomb aboard 1t is not in the baggage: 1t is probably hidden by one of the passengers or crew and when the time comes 1t will be set off. However, you need have no worries. If the worse comes to worse, we have sufficient means in the presence of the three warships to take care of all passen- gers."
 It is rumored that we shall not call at New York, but will put into another port, probably Baltimore, Messages Received
 Many passengers are receiving radio messages from friends home. Since the convoy took charge of things these messages are taken by the warships commanding the con- voy and slgnalled back to the lro- quois by means Of the ships "blinker". Passengers. however, may not send 0 radio answer home to their families and friends. Our eon- way leads the way, To the left, about 200 yards away, the U. s. Cutter, Champlaine, blows through the seas. Dead ahead of us, the commanding ship, a light cruiser, Is about 400 yards distant and to the right, about 200 yards, Is the De- stroyer, No. 397.
 Tuesday october 10th At i2.30 this afternoon three huge U. S. Navy sea planes appeared in the skies. They came down directly over the ships so close that we could see the occupants. For an hour or more the planes circled around Us and then disappeared. Shortly after the Navy planes arrived, two more planes appeared. It was said that tho latter were press-men md camera men, They circled us once and then took off. But why the Navy planes and why did they spend an hour or more searching the seas around us. We are supposed to be torpedoed off the coast Of America, Were they looking for submarlnesq We do not know, and there is no information available. About four o'clock this afternoon the Iroquois came almost to c dead stop. 1mme- diately we began to signal the war ships ahead of us. More mystery. Everyone asks, What's wrong fiow7' Later in the evening we heard that the reason for slowing up was due to the fact that the 1roquois' was just then beginning to use the oil which she took on at Liverpool. This oil was dirty and filled with water. The water hi the oil put out the fires and the dirt clogged the pipes, hence the delay. Around eight o'clock tonight the U. s. Gutter pulled ahead and then turned around and headed back in the op. posite direction. We heard that the s. s. st. John was 450 miles behind us with more American passengers aboard and that the Gutter went back to convoy her.
 Seaplanes Arrive
 Wednesday -- October iltl1 = Things ere happening today. At seven thirty in the morning three huge Navy seaplanes came out from shore, flew low over us and then continued to scout around. About c half hour later five more planes came on. They flew very high up circled Us once and went off About ten o'clock we passed c U. S. torpedo boat destroyer which was on It's way to pick up the St. John and convoy her along with the cutter
 AS write this it is 400 D. m. All morning long and even now Navy planes are with Us. They are flying In all directions, never out of sight. however, scouting and searching tic seas. What Is the meaning of oil thiS? What are they searching for7 Submarines7 They are not out here for the fun of it and surely at this distance from land they are not an escort. And If they are afi escort, what is the reason for it7 We don't know and none aboard the ship knows except, of course. the officers and they are not telling Us.
 Rumor has 1t today that the pas- sengers and crew of the 1roqiiois were prayed for in oil the churches of Ireland. R. I. P. It is stated also that we shall reach Now York this evening ct six o'clock. That's only two hours away and there is yet no move on the part of the officers to have our baggage put in order Thank God!
 All day long, as the planes roar above Us, the two warships con- voying us zig-Sag across our bow Why9 Are they merely taking this occasion to practice naval inaneu- vers9 If SO, why pick on Us? It's all mystery. We are kept in the dark. Perhaps we shall know the reason for oil these unusual pro- ceedings tonight when we reach New York. But are we going to land at New York? IL is said that we shall dock ct another port. Late this after- noon the Daily News plane came out and evidently took quite c number af xat<t4saMm Mfaa mlsaafaA amAnasaA ...