Evening star., 1941-08-16
By MARIAN McGILL.

BY MARIAN McGILL.
Late in the afternoon of June 16
we left Halifax in convoy formation.
The S. S. Maasdam with its Ameri-
can nurses and United States
Marines and $7,OO0,00O cargo was
the second ship in the seventh lane.
1t was extremely cold and foggy.
There was a tremendous sounding
of sirens. A nurse from the last war
had told me that convoy formation
was a beautiful sight and I was
annoyed because it was foggy and I
could not see.
The convoy was escorted out OF
the harbor by ships, submarines and
planes. 1t took quite some time for
the ships to get IN place. I learned
early the tone of the ship leading
the convoy. 1t was a hoarse low
pitched siren. The fog continued
for five days. Several of the ships
had to return to Canada either be-
cause of collision damage or because
they became lost from the convoy.
The small smoking room was the
great social center. There were only
two tables there but most OF the
time they were in use Cribbage,
bridge and rummy were the favorite
card games. Card playing gathered
momentum on the voyage.
Interest in Games Increase.
The ships small library made
available a few exciting murder and
mystery stories. No one did much
reading. There was too much con-
geniality and too many invitations
to do other active things.
The recreation room below in the
midship house offered ping-pong
and shuttle board. These grew in
popularity as We travelled. With
practice. some of the passengers
developed good amateur skill in these
sports.
Our housemother, who had sail
ing charge of our party of American
nurses spent great deal OF time In
bed She admitted she was a poor
sailor. One evening I went to the
galley to fill hot water bottle for
her. I saw a teakettle on the stove.
Pointing to it. I said to the boy
there. May ! have some OF thls?'
The boy nodded assent and asked.
do you want cream and sugar?"
Mystified I said NO, thank you"
Then I saw I was pouring coffee
into the hot water bottle instead of
water. The light was not very good
so I continued pouring, / don't
think the boy knew I was filling a
hot water bottle with the coffee.
Accommodations Poor.
The accommodations on the boat
were quite poor. The women's
shower was a horrible one. The
only way TO get a really good
shower was to have some one get
water from the lavatory in small
pan and then pour it over you. The
bathroom was constantly hung with
drying clothes. Each time you went
in it meant ducking under and
around them.
The cabins were made for two
people. The third person in each
cabin was supposed to sleep on the
settee which was very short That
one in my cabin slept on the floor
each night. The three of us used to
talk about "this luxury cruise"
The third day out We barely missed
collision with an English oil tanker.
1t had suddenly appeared out OF the
fog and before it could change its
course. had almost hit us. We were
watching from the boat deck and
saw the narrow escape. This Incl
dent caused us to lose some time
We became separated from the rest
of the CONVOY The Maasdam
whiStled and whistled without the
familiar reply. 1t was rumored We
might have to return to ST. Johns
but late in the day we found the
convoy again.
Feared Trouble in Dark.
We were cautioned against throw
ing anything overheard which would
leave any trace in the water. The
waste paper used to pile up in the
halls. The portfolios, of course. were
to be kept closed all night. No one
could smoke on deck at night. Radios
could not be used
1 went to bed with my flashlight
under my pillow. Always pictured
trouble at sea without lights. Every
night I pinned my passport and my
money in the pocket of my pajamas
One set Of clothes I always stacked
together in one pile. Afterward
wondered If I could ever have dressed
myself If something had happened.
The night we were torpedoed I tried
to change my shoes and found even
that one simple activity hard task.
I also fastened open the cabin door
before retiring.
There was considerable gossip
among the nurses in regard to per-
sonal supplies. One OF them said
she had been unable to anticipate
her needs in the way of personal
clothing so she had brought with her
Is yards of the best black silk crepe
she could buy and IL yards of COL
ored wool material. She said sewing
was her hobby and during the year
she was going to do great deal Of 1t.
Marines Carried Supplies.
Aboard the Maasdam we had sup
plies to establish the United States
Marine unit in connection with the
American Embassy in London and
to maintain so men for six months.
The marines aboard used to name
over the good stock of supplies they
had below. The mechanics talked
of the nice trucks and motorcycles.
The cook spoke of the good food
supplies he was taking over. They
spoke of their cigarette supply in
thousands. Constantly they were
talking of their beloved cargo. Their
supplies were new and very complete.
One day one of the nurses asked
them if they had a flag with their
supplies. They said that they did.
We'll, you'll be able to establish a
Little America in the heart of Lon