Evening star., 1942-08-30
BY Elizabeth E.. Sayre.

BY Elizabeth E. Sayre.
Every incident of our last day on
Corregidor stands out vividly in my
memory talked with many old friends,
knowing I should not see them again,
yet unable to tell them so, as our de-
parture was military secret.
The submarine which had evacuated
President Quezon and his party was
returning to pick up us that very night.
Some of them knew, however, and
pressed into my hand watch, note,
a class ring, asking me to take it home.
TELL them I'm fine; they mustn't
worry; we'll lick the Japs! This place
Is the safest spot in the Philippines"
They wouldn't look at me when they
talked: They knew that knew what
they meant.
1t was dark when we drew up on the
north dock where many figures were
quietly loading small yacht. We were
to get aboard quickly because the Japs
had been shelling this particular "hot
spot"
Gen. MacArthur's voice was reassur-
ing when he said, You will have hard
trip but when you come up at the end
you will be in different world" Ad-
miral Rockwell's hand was firm and
warm Good luck. You are going out
with our ace submarine skipper. He'll
get you through"
Into the Blackness.
We huddled on the aiterdeck on top
Of our suitcases as the ropes were cast
off and we moved away mysteriously
Into the blackness.
Our 15-year-old boy pressed against
us in the dark. Where are we going,
Daddy? You said you would tell me
as soon as we started off,
Were going home, Bill. We're going
home!' What surge of emotion those
words aroused in our hearts.
Our eyes were straining into the star
rejecting waters.
There she isl" some one whispered.
Look! On our starboard!"
From the darkness we saw emerging
. slim black shadowy ship Hands
a narrow wet gangplank.
"Good-by and good luck!" came across
the water from the men on the Mary
Ann. We said farewell.
We went down two narrow round
hatchways, through the coming tower
and the control ROOM
We were moving! There was slight
A nF6
party down the narrow passage.
Along each side were three tiny cabins,
the largest of which was the wardroom,
q compact little room which seated
eight people at mealtimes, slept three
people at night, and had two canvas
folding chairs, built-in library on one
wall, radio speaker and two wall fans
on the other.
Next to this was tiny galley. Di-
rectly across from the galley was the
submarine shower bathroom. which I
called the execution chamber"
Tiny Cell of Horrors.
A young officer escorted the four
women of our party into this tiny cell
of horrors and explained the intricate
mechanism of its sanitary arrangements.
TT is quite simple" he assured us.
II believe you will not make any
mistakes"
Poor deluded but hopeful instructor!
We learned to avoid this room like the
plague unless the ship was surfaced.
We were led down the passage toward
the stern to the four bunk cabin at the
end. Here there were two double
decker hunks, a washbasin, mirror,
and four drawers.
TRY to get some sleep now" sug-
gested 1t. McCloskey. "We will sub
merge at 6 am"
At am. a harsh klaxon sounded
three times; we felt a slight motion,
our ears frightened up, and soon the
air became so close and SO hot we could
not sleep. We were now deep under the
surface at the usual cruising depth.
It seemed only few minutes later
when we were called in to breakfast
with the captain. This young man
already had eight scalps to his belt
eight Jap ships he had sent to the
bottom.
The captain explained our routine:
Immediately after breakfast you had
better turn in and pretend it's night
You'll find 1T too hot to do anything
but be still, and you'll use up less oxy-
gen that way"
We went back to our cabins, where
1t was now 80 degrees, took off all but
the most scanty clothing, and lay down
In our hunks.
Hours Dragged by.
The air got hotter and more foul az
those long hours dragged by. We woule
lie in our hunks, which soon became
pools of perspiration, getting up nov
and then to take a sponge bath tt
relieve our burning skin.
Sometimes we would put on a robe