Evening star., 1942-03-01
una n no unced destination is a
nerve-r0ekiY10 avyHoriopno

un n no u n d destination is a
nerve-cocking experience.
After the virtually sleepless night
Of embarkation, the transports stood
down the bay during face -tingling
morning. Many aboard got their
first glimpse-and possibly their last
of the port from the deck of the
Army transports. Most of the men
had come directly from Army camps
to the port in trains, unloading
within sight of the piers and coming
directly aboard.
There was banter, a bit of music
and a few cheers as the tugs took
the transports away but there was
not tear in sight. The nurses were
cheery, many in slacks, all in warm,
comfortable clothing.
Capital Ships on Guard.
People began introducing them
selves. I met a sergeant and
private with whom I had become
acquainted in the Carolina ma
neuvers less than two months before.
Down the bay we sighted our
accompanying warships, a reassur-
ing display of sea power beyond our
expectations. They ranged from
capital ships to destroyers.
Our ship, a 20-year-old transport
that was to be our home, workshop
and recreation center for almost
two weeks, was a dependable, easy
riding troopship that knew most of
the seas. On her last trip she had
been given credit for sinking a sub
marine in the North Atlantic and
picking of a floating mine, the
officers said.
Well have something this trip
and take care of it," they added
confidently.
We hardly were out of sight of
land before the officers were called
to the ward tdining) room to be
addressed by the executive officer
the captains second in COMMAND
on shipboard discipline, racefVe in
structions for battle stations and
abandon ship" drills.
There was to be no drinking-and
there wasn't; no gambling, ship
darkened from sunset to sunrise and
lights out" at 10 pm.
No Bathing on Trip.
The ship carried, adequately, and
not uncomfortably, twice as many as
she was built to accommodate. To
conserve water there was no bathing
during the entire trip.
Most every one had a bunk-the
naval officers and TROOP command
ers staterooms on the upper decks,
the troops in the holds.
The newsmen-five photographers
and three correspondence d
cots in the kitchen-sized, onetime
library between the port and star
board corridors of the main deck.
At first it appeared far below the
FIRST class" passage our assignments
called for, but experience proved us
fortunate. 1t was the best venti-
lated place in the ship when every
thing had been tightly closed for
the nightly blackout.
Because of the number of pas
sengers there were lifeboats for only
half the personnel. The remainder
were assigned positions for life RATS.
One officer was chosen for each
l1feboat. Two nurses were assigned
to each.
New Lifebelt for Each
The correspondents felt they, per-
haps. were being favored unneces-
sarily when they were assigned to
a motor launch, lashed to the for
ward deck. They were to go with Is
staff officers. Then, all too soon, it
was explained that steam was need
ed to launch the motor boat and in
case of an attack, torpedo or bomb
ing, the first thing that probably
would oe put out of commission
would be the steam lines, even If
the launch escaped the attack un-
damaged.
Every passenger was given a new
rubber ifebelt, equipped to initiate
itself when gripped in such a way
that two cartridges, containing
compressed carbon dioxide like you
use to charge your home soda
siphon, were pierced. The belts
were to be worn at all times: pas
sengers were ordered to sleep in
their clothes.