May 15, 2018 - George Spends a Week at Sea

 

On the Swelling Atlantic 5 -15                     8

(Eastward Bound)

My dear Home Folks,

            Again there is a lull in the work here and the desire to talk to some of my dear ones takes possession of me.  We have now been actually sailing for just a week if we don’t consider the several hours we have gained since we left “America” behind.  Nearly seven days without a sight of land.  But the weather conditions have been ideal nearly all of the way.  Day before yesterday there was scarcely a ripple on the surface and but very little swell evident.  In fact, I think we are rather lucky that the wind has stirred things up some, as we are now drawing into the real danger zone, and those conditions would be a little too ideal for submarines.  Yesterday it rained a little and blew quite hard, so we have been rolling quite a bit and the steel beams of our ship creaked and groaned some during the night.  But tho I felt a trifle upset when I turned in last night, I took a salt water shower (just as it came from Neptune’s depth) and felt fine this morning when I got up, in spite of the fact we rocked worse than ever.  A few fellows were really sick, but most of us only feel slightly squeamish at times. I suppose that is rather natural as this is the first trip for many of us. 

            I am enclosing a copy or two of our ship newspaper.  This is local talent and wireless news, but while a rather small sheet, it keeps us in touch with the outside world so that we do not feel quite so isolated as we might.

            Please excuse the rather smudged appearance of this letter, and the bum job I did tearing it off at the top.  It is out of one of our pads here on the desk and doesn’t follow the perforations very well.  Now I guess I had best bring this to a close, or I’ll be slipping over onto another page and won’t have room for the “Hatchet.”

            So will close with love to you all,

                                    George 

            OK

            JC Campbell

            1^st Lieut

            108^th Engrs.

[No Hatchet enclosed with this letter now – may show up somewhere]

1918-0510    Fannie Lindsay  (His sister Dora's mother-in-law) to George Sherwood

Boise Ida

Dear Friend:

I could not – tell you how much we did enjoy your y---? Interesting letter.  We will be so glad when you can find time to write again.  We are wondering if you are still at Camp Logan or if you have been moved and if so where

Had a lovely letter from Dora and Guy, May 1^st, that being my birthday.  Dora is so busy making a garden.  Every one here is making War gardens.  We had a fine one last year, when Dora and Margaret where here.  Well I believe I told you that we had thirteen girls in the house and only one man.  He goes this week, and the girls are “busy ladies” now looking for another man but have not been successful up to date.  Mr. Hill has been expecting his call for some time, and surely will miss him.  A jolly young fellow.  Not so young either, too old for the draft, but enlisted giving up a fine position here, to go with the fine loyal boys who are all giving up so much for our country.

            I have knit several pairs of sox and am just commencing another pair, as soon as they are finished I will send them to you. Wonder if you have big feet no 10 or 6.  Well I’ll knit them large, so as to be sure . May be they will shrink if they are to large.

            The weather here is so lovely, our springs are always so fine.  We went fishing Sat afternoon caught a fine mess of fish.

            We just devour every bit of war news that we get hold of, some of our home boys letters are published in our daily papers, and we look for them the first thing when we get  our morning paper.  

            We are so full of hope and confidence that we will win and trust that it will be soon.

            It is somewhat difficult to write an interesting letter to one whom we have never seen but we felt that we wanted Dora’s brother to know that – that we are often thinking of him and that we are sending our very best thoughts and wishes with him, wherever he may go.

            Hoping you may find time to drop us a line often,

  Must close, will write again soon.    Your Cincere friend.

                                    Fannie S. Lindsey 1017 Washington  St.