Sunday, October 13, 1918
Great are the joys for those who will wait. I've waited. The joy is mine. (WOW!)
Friday, November 8, 1918
Friday evening about 5:00 PM I was asleep when I received a telephone call from the station at South City, saying that I was being transferred to the radio station at Vladivostok, Siberia, and that I was going to go on the USS Saturn some time next week. They said that it was unnecessary for me to report to the station again as I was relieved. In the evening I went to see Lucy and told her that I was going to have to leave her. She surely was sorry. We spent a very lovely evening together and said good night and some more at midnight.
Saturday November 9, 1918
This evening I went downtown to get Lucy a Luvalier (?) and got one with four diamonds in it. It is a very nice one. Later I went out to her house and gave it to her. She liked it very much. We had a very enjoyable evening together. I certainly am proud of her, a girl worthwhile. I went home about 11:30 PM.
April 11, 2013
I'm picking it up again. Dad has been activated in the US Navy, working as a radio operator at stations around San Francisco and doing pretty well for himself. He has a motorcycle and a girlfriend. But now he's been reassigned to Vladivostok, Siberia, and scheduled to sail on the USS Saturn.
Sunday, November 10, 1918
I was up at 10:00 AM and went out to Lucy's at 10:30 with my folks. Shortly after we went down to see Uncle Frank and Aunt Edie, staying there 'til about 4:00 PM. Then we came home and had supper. Lucy came with us. In the evening her folks came over. Also Aunt Louise and Uncle George and their family were there. Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Tom and Aunt Susie also came over. We all spent a pleasant evening. About 10:30 PM I took Lucy and her folks for a ride to the beach; then I took them home. I had a very pleasant little talk with her. We talked all about the nice things and about what we wanted to do when I come back. We certainly did get along fine, and I will miss her greatly. I told her good bye.
Monday, November 11, 1918
I got up at 9:30 and phoned over to Lieutenant Stevens for orders. He said to report at 435 Mission St. tomorrow for final orders. In the afternoon I went out to see Lucy. At 3:30 I went downtown to get some things that I needed. I bought a good Kodak camera and a half dozen rolls of film. I also got a good fountain pen. There was a great crowd downtown at that time, all celebrating. Peace has been declared today, and everybody's happy. I returned home at 5:00 PM and had dinner with Lucy. In the evening we took a ride out to the beach and had a nice walk together and a nice talk. We stayed there a few hours and then returned home. At midnight I said good bye to her. I certainly hated to leave her and surely will miss her. I probably won't see her for quite a number of years, possibly never. But I certainly hope I can return to her, she being the only girl that ever gave me happiness.
Tuesday, November 12, 1918
I got up this morning at 9:00 and went down to Mission St. to get my camera and writing kit engraved. Then I went out to visit Aunt Maggie and to say good bye. At noon I went down to the Union Iron Works to get Father. We got home a little after 12:30. Then I went over to visit Aunt Susie who was in bed with Spanish influenza, but not very bad. I also said good bye to Aunt Mary's Alice, she being the only one home. At 2:30 I went down to 425 Mission St. to get my orders. I had to go to the terminal to get two other fellows, and then we left for Mare's Island. We arrived there at 5:00 PM, but I didn't get aboard until 6:00 on account of having a camera. After coming aboard the Saturn, I had to hunt up someone; then I turned in.
Wednesday, November 13, 1918
I got up at 6:45, washed and had chow at 7:15, my first meal on board the USS Saturn. I had beans, grapefruit, coffee, and bread and butter. That's all! After breakfast, I wrote a letter to Lucy and to my folks. I would certainly like to see Lucy again before leaving, but I guess my chances are pretty slim. I heard today that we will probably go to San Diego after leaving here. As yet I don't know when we leave here, but probably we're good for another week. We left dry dock at 3:10 PM for moorings. About 5:00 everybody had to go on deck to help load on stores. It was about an hour's job, and we were at it good and steady. It gave us all a good appetite. I wrote a letter to Lucy at 8:00. At 9:00 it was lights out.
Thursday, November 14, 1918
I was up this morning at 6:30 and had breakfast at 7:00. I worked for a while in the radio shack and then went to work on the dock, checking lumber all day, up 'til about 9:00 PM. A bunch of us congregated in the radio shack, discussing wireless and other subjects. I wrote letters to Lucy and home. They keep us pretty busy all the time--no time for loafing as they are in a hurry to get underway. We are loading freight for Guam, the South Sea Isles, Leavite (?), and Honolulu.
Friday, November 15, 1918
I turned in about 12:30 last night and was up again this morning at 6:30 to have chow. I checked lumber again all day. It was a pretty tiresome job, as every piece has to be counted. So for I have received no mail from anywheres, but I'm expecting some tomorrow. If I don't get any then, I don't know what I will do. I guess I will have to sneak out and see what the trouble is. I hardly think it is time to get any mail yet, but I'm getting kind of impatient. I knocked off work at 9:00 PM and wrote another letter to my sweatheart.
Saturday, November 16, 1918
Last night I turned in a 2:00 AM. I didn't feel much like sleeping; I would much rather write. I got up at 6:00 but sure would like to have been able to stay in bed a few hours longer. But nothing like that happens in the Navy. I worked hard all morning checking in supplies for Guam, Cavite, Pearl Harbor, and Vladivostok, Russia. About 10:30 this AM I was getting kind of impatient so I took a run on board to see if there was any mail for me. Sure enough, there was one letter there for me--from Lucy and her mother. I was certainly glad to hear from them, but there's still no word from home. I worked up to 11:00 PM, and then I wrote a letter to Lucy. It was after midnight when I got to bed.
Sunday, November 17, 1918
I slid out of the hay pile at 7:00 this morning. When will I ever be able to stay in bed in the morning? I didn't do much work this morning. I don't feel much like working on Sunday. They finished loading the ship at 10:00 AM, and we left for California City at 11:00. That is where take on fuel coal. We arrived at California City at about 2:00 PM. A bunch of the fellows are going into the city on liberty, but I guess I am out of luck and will have to stay on board. I am going to try to get liberty tomorrow if possible. We are now standing regular watches even though we're still in port. About 8:00 PM I took a bath and washed out a suit of blues. I turned in about 9:00 but was called to go on watch at 11:30, but I slept until 12:45.
Monday and Tuesday, November 18 and 19, 1918
I went on watch at 125 AM. Gee I was sleepy and hated like the devil to get up. At four AM the rain was pouring down. It was cold and dismal. I'm going to try and write some letters. I've written six letters: one to brother ED, one to the folks, and to Shirley at South City, Dick Johnson at Hiller St., Cousin Mary at Long Beach, and to Lucy. Nothing of great importance is going on. We're still taking on coal for fuel at 5:30 PM. I got notice that I would go on liberty and had only ten minutes to dress and get on board the liberty launch, but I made it OK and arrived at San Francisco at 8:00 PM. I went home at 8:30, and the folks were very much surprised to see me. I had already phoned to Mrs. Steele, but Lucy wasn't home. I went out to Lucy's house about 9:30, and she was a very much surprised girl. I was certainly glad to see her again. We spent a very enjoyable evening together. I tried to get my liberty extended, but they wouldn't do it. I have to catch the 11:30 PM boat back to California City. I said good bye again, in case I can't see them again. On Tuesday I got on board the ship at 1:00 AM and turned in about 2:00. I received mail about 11:00 AM from Lucy, a very nice letter with a poem that she picked out for me. There wasn't much work on board, and we got liberty again. But the boat had already gone; so we hired a boat to San Francisco from Belvedere. There were ten of us altogether. I went home for a while and then went out to Lucy's. We all sat around the fireplace and had a pleasant evening, talking for a long time. Mrs. Steele gave me a letter to read.
Friday, November 22, 1918
At sea! I was up at 6:45 AM and had breakfast at 8:00. It's much rougher this morning with seas breaking over the stern occasionally. I went on watch at 12:00 noon and tried to get a message through to San Francisco but was unable to do so: we were out of day range. This afternoon the wind came up pretty strong and the seas increased. The seas are now breaking over the bow and the stern very regularly. I got soaking wet while going forward to wash up. We had quite a number of fellows on board who were seasick. Also some of our own bunch of radio operators got sick. So far I have managed just fine, except that I'd rather be home than out here at sea. The captain sent a telegram to Mare's Island, requesting permission to go directly to Vladivostok from Honolulu. I hope he gets it as I want to get there as soon as possible. I sure am tired of this life. Some of the fellows got busted in rating this morning for sleeping too long. I'll be getting it next. The sky is very cloudy and not very blue, a very pretty contrast. At 10:00 PM the wind is very strong, and it's very rough with waves breaking all over the ship. It's very difficult to get around on the ship which is rolling and pitching badly.
Saturday, November 23, 1918
I got up at 6:00 AM and went on watch at 8:00. It has been very rough all night. Some of the fellows got washed out during the night (Does he mean that they were lost? I don't think so. They probably just got wet). They were sleeping in their hammocks on the afterdeck of the ship when a big wave came over. The weather cleared up about 10:00 AM and the sun came out. The sea has moderated, and we have had fine weather the rest of the day. We are about 800 miles from San Francisco. In the evening, the Frenchmen and our boys gathered on the afterdeck and they sang and told jokes up 'til about ten PM. I had a job this afternoon that I was very much stuck on--and that was sewing my rating badge on my jumper. I wish Lucy could have done it for me as I think I made a pretty bum job of it. We passed another steamer bound for San Francisco this evening. This makes our third steamer we passed since leaving San Francisco. I wished I was on it. Some day I will be bound that way. We played games in the radio shack for a while. Then I went to bed at 11:00. Good Night!
Sunday, November 24, 1918
I was up at 4:15 AM and went on watch at 4:40. There are heavy swells running and the ship is rolling badly. I had to hold onto a chain all night, to keep from falling out of bed, but I slept very well. I had a few hours of sleep this morning and felt fine after it. We are having great weather now, nice and warm. The ship still rolls a little on account of the swells. I took quite a few pictures today: the radio crew and others. We passed a sailing vessel this evening, bound for Honolulu. This is the fourth vessel since leaving San Francisco. The crew is feeling pretty good this evening--all singing and enjoying themselves--but I certainly feel bad. This is Sunday and if I were still in San Francisco, I would be off watch and with one very much loved. I couldn't stay up any longer as it brought back too many memories; so I went to bed.
Monday, November 25, 1918
I was up at 12:30 AM. This is one of those wonderful nights when one likes to be out on the beach with his sweetheart, a clear moonlit night and a starry heaven. It is very warm this morning, and I'm in my shirtsleeves. At noon yesterday we were just halfway between San Francisco and Honolulu. The is just a difference of one hour between here and San Francisco--3:00 AM in San Francisco and 2:00 AM on board. We lose about 15 minutes every day. I'm going to write letters to Lucy and to home. I started last night, but I didn't get far because I had some radio work today. This ship has been a regular mad house, everybody fighting. Five fellows had a fight on the forcastle deck at noon, though they couldn't do much fighting because of the rough weather. I'm going have a rest in Honolulu. Our food has been very poor, nothing but sausages ever since leaving San Francisco, and they were all bad. There's no good water to drink on board; we haven't had any since leaving San Francisco. It's enough to make a man buggy.
Tuesday, November 26, 1918
I was up at 6:00 AM. This morning we had a fire drill, abandoning ship and collision drill, and general quarters. It was sure one miserable job. I was soaked clean through, and we had to stand out on the weather side of the ship for about half an hour with solid seas breaking over the stern. We had to hang on to keep from going over the side. This has been a very rough day with seas breaking all over the ship and the ship rolling very bad. That had everybody bending over backwards. This afternoon I went up into the crows nest (See picture!) to take a few pictures and got some fine ones with the waves breaking over the ship. It was some job climbing up the mast with the wind blowing so hard. At noon today we were 570 miles northeast of Makaper Head (?). At 7:00 PM San Francisco time and 6:52 ship's time, there was a storm increasing and getting worse every hour. The ship is rolling very, very bad. We have a bunch of seasick fellows on board, but so far I have felt fine. At 7:30 San Francisco time it is still daylight, but starting to get dark. I sewed another rating badge on my dress jumper this afternoon, but I didn't do much of a job. I wish someone else could have done it for me. At 11:00 PM it's blowing a regular gale--very rough with the ship doing all kinds of stunts.
Wednesday, November 27, 1918
At 1:00 AM Dougherty, Ahern, and myself had a little meal to ourselves on top of the fridley (?). We had canned peaches and cake. It tasted fine. It's still blowing a gale. I turned in at 2:00 AM and was up again at 6:00. I had a bum sleep in our quarters: it was too stuffy with no ventilation on account of the rough weather. I had lots of work this afternoon receiving and sending messages. I have to code and decode them, which is some job and takes a lot of time. At noon today we were 317 miles from the island of Oahu. We won't arrive in Honolulu 'til Friday morning. We got orders that no ships would be allowed within ten miles of Honolulu after dark. We played cards with Anderson, Dourgherty and myself, playing for buttons. I lost a bunch of them and won't have any sewn on my clothes. I will win them back tomorrow night. I have one of those wild headaches, and it's a dandy. I think it's on account of the poor food and no water. I would give just about anything for a big glass of ice water. And we're going to get it, too. I wish this ship trip was more than living in hopes.
Thursday, November 28, 1918
This has been one H of a night with no place to sleep. It's impossible to sleep below decks because the air is so foul, and it's very hot. I got about four hours sleep on top of a water tank. Then it rained a few times, but that didn't bother me. I was very stiff when I woke up--Joy! It's a great life. This is Thanksgiving Day. Whether or not I'm thankful is a question, the answer to which I don't know. Well, I am thankful that it's not any worse than it is. It's about 8:25 AM San Francisco time and 6:27 ship's time. We had quite a dinner today--turkey and lots of other stuff. At 2:00 PM we were off the island of Molikai. All afternoon they had games and box fighting on board. I took a couple of pictures of them. This evening they were all singing. I wrote a bunch of letters this afternoon--Lucy, Folks, Aunt Maggie, Aunt Ella, Aunt Louise, Margaret, Mary, and Alice, Mary Butehart, and that's about all. This was a pretty good day's work. We will arrive at Honolulu early tomorrow morning, and we're still enjoying fine weather all day, very warm also. There is a difference of two hours and twenty minutes between here and San Francisco. I wonder how everybody passed Thanksgiving in San Francisco.
Friday, November 29, 1918
We arrived off Honolulu about 8:00 AM in fine weather, nice and smooth. We left for Pearl Harbor shortly after, arriving there about 10:00 AM. It seems good to be back on dry land again. In the evening we got liberty; so Hoghart, Bomby and I went down to the Seaside Hotel and engaged rooms for the night. We got down there about 6:00 PM, and I went for a swim at Waikaki Beach, staying in for about a half hour. Then I went out to visit Miss Holla Finnell for my Cousin Alice. She wasn't there but we saw her sister. I stayed there for about a half hour then went downtown for some chow. I turned in about 11:00 PM and was enjoying the let down. It sure is great to be on land again. There were a few showers while we were in town, but they were nothing.
Saturday, November 30, 1918
I got on board ship at 8:00 AM and prepared for another hard day's work. I worked all day in the coal bunkers. This sure is hot work, and no fun. We finished coaling the ship at about 4:00 PM. I washed up and got ready to go on liberty. We arrived in Honolulu about 7:00 PM and got rooms at the Young Hotel. We had a suite. There were Bromley, Anderson, Dohertty, and myself. After going up to the rooms we had a good bath before going down to the dining room, where we had some really good chow. It was nothing like the stuff they dish out on the scow Saturn. I turned in at 11:00 and had a good night's sleep.
Friday, April 13, 2013, came on Saturday this month. I continue to transcribe my father's second journal. He was on his way to Vladivostok, Russia. World War I had just ended. He was 22 years old, already a rated radioman, already first class. Before he left the Navy, he told me, he passed his chief's exam. I recall that he said that the exam was on Diesel engines. It seems to me also that he said he achieved the warrant officer ranking. I don't know what caused the breaks in the journal, which is a photocopy of the original. Maybe they're collating caused.
Sunday, December 1, 1918
I got up at 8:00 AM and left Honolulu in a machine (taxi? bus? motorcycle?) for a trip around the Island at 9:00. This was a wonderful trip, and pretty good roads, winding roads with trees on each side of the road, meeting overhead. We went through all kinds of weather--rain, clouds, and sunshine--but at no time was it cold. When we got to the highest point of the road (1200 feet), it was blowing very strong, and I could hardly stand up against it. About 1:00 PM we arrived at Kaleuva on the opposite side of the Island, and we had dinner and walked around the place for a while. It is a very pretty place. Then we started for the home stretch at 2:20 PM. Returning, we went through some pineapple, banana, and sugar cane plantations where we ate all the fruit we wanted. We got on the train at 10:00 and were aboard at 11:00.
Friday December 6, 1918
I returned to the ship at 7:40 AM. I hoisted six inch shells out of the magazine and pumped water out of the magazine's holds. Pumping and hoisting ammunition is hard work, especially when one is not up to it. My hands are pretty sore and I have blisters to remember the work by. They are cleaning up the ship and repairing the damage done by the storms and of lots of rough weather. All kinds of food stuffs were destroyed. About 100 sacks of sugar and the same number of flour were destroyed, the damage must run in the thousands of dollars. This evening I went to a movie given at the Navy Yard. It was pretty good with lots of nice music. It was just for sailors and soldiers, about 300 were there.
Saturday, December 7, 1918
I was up again at 6:00 AM and had chow at 6:45. I went to work at 8:00 and worked hard all forenoon, carrying about 50,000 poinds of sugar and flour out of the warehouse to freight cars. I and six other fellows did the work 'til about 11:00 PM. Five 100 pound sacks of flour or sugar fell on my left leg. I was holding a Jean bar (?) on a truck, and it smashed my leg, hurting it pretty bad. I also received word that we were going to sail for Vladivostok at 4:00 PM. I wrote 2 letters, one home and one to Lucy. We left Honolulu about 4:20 PM for another try. About 9:00 PM we are passing Diamond Head, and it's getting kind of rough with the ship rolling considerable. I go on lookout watch at 10:00 PM and will stand until midnight.
Sunday, December 8, 1918
Last night I got wet from the spray in the crow's nest and then went to bed at 1:00 AM. I slept on the floor until the floor got too hard. Then I turned in to someone's bunk. I got up at 6:15. The wind's blowing pretty hard, and the sea is breaking over the deck of the ship. I went up into the crow's nest at 10:00 and stayed there 'til I was relieved at 12:30. I slept on deck for a few hours. We went out of sight of land at midnight and probably won't see any more 'til we arrive at Vladivostok. This evening a bunch of the boys were singing all kinds of songs. I was lying on top of a lifeboat, listening to them and watching the stars. I was a great night, but I was feeling very lonely. Sunday evenings make me feel that way, and I don't think I'll get over it. We having fine weather this evening, nice and smooth.
Monday, December 9, 1918
I turned in last night about 12:30 AM and slept on the floor again--and I don't like it the least bit. I got up at 6:30 after a very restless sleep. I had chow at 7:30 and went on lookout at 10:00. It's getting colder up there every day. I have to wear an overcoat there all the time. We are not standing radio watches any more as we had some trouble in Honolulu in the radio room with the result that some of the operators were put on lookout duty, which is much worse because the regular operators have to work longer hours. They didn't know when they were well off. ( Illegible parts here).
Tuesday, December 10, 1918
I was up again at 6:30 after another hard sleep on the deck. We are having fine weather, very smooth and very little wind. This is the first time that the decks have been dry for a long time. They are coaling the ship today from one of the forward hatches. They will probably have to do this every few days from now on. I got out of the job of shoveling coal, but I have to stand longer watches in the crow's nest. That's the best duty so far as there is plenty of fresh air up there. I came down from the crow's nest at 5:00 PM. It was pretty cold up there. From 5:00 to 6:00 PM I stood watch on the forecastle head. We're still having fine weather. They finished coaling the ship at 4:30. This evening we had a bunch of the fellows out singing. It sounds very nice on the water, but it makes me feel homesick.
Wednesday, December 11, 1918
I was up again at 6:30 after a bum sleep. If I don't get some good sleep pretty soon I will go nuts. The decks are just a little too hard to sleep on, and besides it's getting kind of cold at night. I was taken away from the lookout job and given another one which is still better as there is always something or other to do because there's just two of us on it. All we have to do is keep the quarters clean--unless they find something else for us to do. It will be a good place to work when it gets really cold. This evening we had a little game of poker, playing for matches--one way of getting matches, if you don't lose. G N XX (Good NIght and kisses)
Thursday, December 12, 1918
I slept 'til 7:00 AM this morning. I didn't feel like getting up; so I stayed on the deck, taking a chance of getting put on the report. We are supposed to get up every morning at 6:30. We're having all kinds of excitement on board. They are having bag inspection on board. Everybody has to bring up their clothes to be inspected. The radio operators headed for Vladivostok got out of it on account of not being detailed to the ship. I would have had some chance with the inspection as I don't have half of things required. I didn't do any work today, just hung around. Tomorrow we skip a day as we will pass the international date line, skip from thursday to Saturday. Today we are about 1300 miles from Honolulu and about 3400 miles from home sweet home.
Friday, December 13, 1918 (written on the vertical)
We passed the international date line today about 10:00 AM. We skipped from Thursday to Saturday; so there'll be no Friday the 13th this month. So when it's Sunday noon in San Francisco, it will be Monday and 4:30 PM on board ship. At present there is 4 1/2 hours difference between here and San Francisco. Our clocks are set back about half hour every day. We are about 1500 miles from Honolulu and about 3800 from San Francisco, and we still have about 2800 miles to go to Vladivostok.
Saturday, December 14, 1918
In San Francisco it's December 13, 1918. Well, another day gone by. I got up at 6:30 after another bum sleep, but I had a very nice dream of Lucy and me. We were someplace where it was very pretty with lots of flowers and nice music. Wherever that place was I don't know, but it was great. I was suddenly brought back by one of the fellows who was in a hurry to get to a bucket. He was seasick and ran into me by mistake. We've had rough weather all day, and the waves are breaking over the ship. The wind was breaking stuff on deck, and we had to bail water out of hold #4. It took us about a half hour. About 8:00 PM the wind changed from being steady to squally. Squally winds are bad, but I don't think about it. I just hope it doesn't keep up because it keeps us from making good time. We are west of Honolulu about 3600 miles but still have a couple of thousand miles to go. Writing is difficult to accomplish. (I agree with this, trying to read Dad's handwriting)
Sunday, December 15, 1918
I was up at 6:30 again. We are still having rough weather with the wind blowing strong. I didn't get hardly any sleep at all last night. I got up about 10:00 PM and stayed up until midnight. I was up on the fiddley where it was nice and warm. The old ship is rolling and jumping around in all directions. The wind moderated a little in the afternoon, but came up again stronger than ever in the evening. I played cards in the evening 'til 9:00, then went to bed on the deck. But I couldn't sleep any because the ship was rolling and pitching too much. I got up about 11:00 and then laid down again at midnight. But I still didn't get any sleep because the wind was gale force with heavy seas breaking over the bow.
Monday, December 16, 1918
At 2:00 AM this morning the ship took a bad lurch, sounding like a phonograph, and everybody went flying across the deck. All kinds of dishes were smashed in the pantry, and there was an awful mess. One of the operators was thrown across the deck. It was Anderson. He was sleeping on the deck. I was sleeping next to him about a half hour before. I also was rocked across the deck, but I got up and managed to find a vacant bunk, left by a fellow who got seasick and was topside. At about 3:00 AM the wind was so strong that it carried the sails away (See the photos). I was up at 6:30 after no sleep. At 9:00 AM the wind and seas moderated, but at 11:00 AM it was worse than ever. As I write this, the ship is fighting terrible seas which have been breaking over the ship. We are not making much time. In the evening I played cards for a little while, but the game broke up at 8:30. I wrote a few lines to Lucy's mother. At 9:00 PM I turned in to bed, and it was hailing. It's still rough.
Tuesday, December 17, 1918
I feel a little better this morning after managing to get some sleep last night. It was a cold night. I had to sleep with all my clothes on in order to keep warm. I got up at 6:30 as usual. At 7:00 it was raining and hailing, and the wind was still blowing strong. It has been hailing pretty near all night. The sea is still very rough. At noon today we had only made 110 miles for the last 24 hours. This is less than five miles an hour. It is certainly slow traveling. We will never make port by Christmas if this weather keeps up, and there is no indication that it won't. I got a little sleep this afternoon, two of us in the same bunk, which is a good way to keep warm. Pretty near everyone is staying down below deck. In the evening the storm moderated, and we had some clear skies and moonlight. But it's very cold!
Wednesday, December 18, 1918
I was up at 6:30 AM, and it's very cold. This is the coldest morning we have had so far this trip. I was cold all night. The wind was blowing pretty strong this morning, but it moderated later on. The sea still is rough in the afternoon, but there's very little wind. There were heavy swells running all afternoon, and it's getting colder all the time. I wanted to draw some clothes so that I would have some warm clothing when I got to Vladivostok, but they told me that my account was overdrawn and that I would have to request an order from the captain to get clothes. This is some outfit! I played cards for a while in the evening and turned in at 9:00.
Thursday, December 19, 1918
I didn't sleep very much. This morning I am not feeling very good and had a dandy stomach ache when I went to bed last night. I had to get up at 4:00 AM and walk around. I stayed up for a half hour and then went back to bed. I was up again at 6:15. It's been hailing and snowing pretty near all night. About 10:00 AM it started to snow pretty heavy. This was the first snow I had ever seen in my life, and it's very cold outside. We were going to coal the ship today, and just as we were about to start at 10:00 AM, rough weather set in. They have to have the coal; so they are going to cut a hole in the bulkhead in the fire room. That suits me fine as I was detailed to coal the ship. In the evening the weather got stormier than ever. It is now too dangerous to go outside.
Friday, December 20, 1918
I was up at 6:00 AM, but I was up two or three times during the night. I get stiff lying on a table; so I take a little walk around hallways and sit in the fiddley for a while where it is nice and warm. This morning it is rougher than ever, and during the night the waves at times would be over a hundred feet high. The ship sure was jumping around. I had to carry a lot of potatoes down from the upper deck to the hold of the ship. There were four or five of us at it. It was a very cold wind. Today is payday, but I have nothing coming to me. About 6:00 PM the wind and sea settled down; so now it's fine weather. We're making about 11 knots. I hope we'll be able to keep it up.
Saturday, December 21, 1918
I crawled out at 6:00. I slept in a different place last night. I had been sleeping on a table in the mess hall. Last night I slept in the hammock storeroom, which is a little better as I have something softer to sleep on. I used five clothes bags for a mattress, but I didn't sleep very much as it was pretty warm in there, and the cockroaches were crawling all over me. I certainly will appreciate a bed when I get to Vladivostok. Our good weather lasted 'til about 2:00 PM; then it started to blow hard, and by morning it was very rough. The rough weather continued all day and kept getting worse every hour. It moderated about 10:00 PM and by midnight it was calm. Word was passed around today that we would probably get to Hokaido, Japan, to coal the ship and spent Christmas. I don't think we will make it by Christmas unless the weather improves.
Sunday, December 22, 1918
I got up at 6:00 AM, though I didn't feel much like getting up. I had a pretty good sleep. This was the first good sleep that I have had for some time. The weather is bad again this morning. It hailed and snowed quite a bit. It sure is getting cold. They said that at 4:00 AM the temperature was only 4 above zero. At 10:00 AM it was at the freezing point, 32 degrees, but that was inside and protected from the weather. I guess they are going to make it to Hokaido, Japan, all right as they passed the word to us again this afternoon. I would prefer going directly to Vladivostok instead of stopping at Japan as I want to get there as soon as possible. I am feeling tired of being on the ship so long. We are making very poor time. This evening I played Whist 'til 8:30 and had a petty good time. I turned in for a good night's sleep at 10:00.
Monday, December 23, 1918
I was up at 6:00 AM, and we're having fine weather. The sea is smooth and there's no wind, but it's very cold. The masts are all white from the snow. If this weather keeps up, we will soon be there--at least by Christmas. At 9:00 AM the fine weather is still with us, and we are making fine time. If this keeps up we will arrive at Hokaido Christmas morning. It has been very cold all day long, and it snowed lightly for awhile. This afternoon I got put to work in the dynamo room. We were working on the machines and cleaning up. They actually come after us when there's any work to be done. I enjoyed finishing that job. Then they gave us another one, scrubbing paint in one of the hatches. While we were working there we made a raid on the storeroom, where we found a can of oysters and shrimp. There were olives, too. We made short work of the food as they have not fed us very well at times. Good night.
Tuesday, December, 24, 1918
Today we saw what appeared to be Japanese cruisers. I was up again at 6:00 after having a pretty good sleep. I was woke up a few times during the night. Someone threw a boot at me, but not on purpose. And another time a sea bag landed on me. I have to get used to these kinds of things. Our good weather is at an end. It started to rain hard at 10:00 AM and by noon it was blowing pretty hard. I guess we will have this until we arrive at Hokaido. This morning I had a shave and haircut. I needed it badly. This was the first time I had a haircut since leaving San Francisco. I expect that we will have some dinner tomorrow--at least I hope so. I hope it will be better than the usual chow that I have been having. I'm not going to do any work this afternoon except wash clothes. I have two uniforms to be washed out, and I'll do that unless I get too lazy. It's very cold today, and there's ice on the decks because it's too cold for it to melt. There were some things happening on board today, but it was too cold for me to go out. Besides, it's very hazy. There were some mountains covered with snow, and we were still having rough weather. Later I sewed a new rating badge on my uniform and shortened a pair of pants. I'm getting to be an expert at the job. I didn't wash all the clothes as it is too cold. I wrote a few letters and a list of names in the back of this book. Good Night! And a Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 25, 1918
I was up at 7:00 AM. Merry Christmas! At nine AM the whole crew was called to tune into the radio quarters to receive a lecture. The captain told us not to drink any water as it was no good but instead to drink booze. He said not necessarily hard liquor. After the capatain got finished, the doctor gave us another lecture on loose women and the dangers thereof. He also lectured on other topics. We arrived at Hokaido, Japan, at 11:00 AM (I think it was the island of Hokkaido. The city was probably Hakodate). I took quite a few pictures before arriving and have some pretty scenes, hills all covered with snow. This morning there was about a half an inch of ice on the decks, and it was very slippery walking on the decks. At 12:00 noon we had a pretty nice dinner--chicken and lots of other good things. They also passed around the smokes. Doherty and I got special permission to go ashore on account of there not going to be liberty in Vladivostok for a long time. At 2:00 PM we were waiting for the captain to return to the ship. He was getting things lined up ashore, and we had to wait for him. He got back about 15 minutes later. We went ashore. It felt good to have something solid under me. We walked all around the place, the three of us--Anderson, Doherty, and myself. We walked around 'til around 9:00 PM and then went to the hotel. It was some hotel. We had to take off our shoes before coming into the building. They had no beds, and they sleep on the floor. They have blankets about three inches thick. There was no one to call us, and we couldn't make the manager understand that we wanted to be called at 5:30 AM.
Thursday, December 26, 1918
We got on board ship at 7:00 AM with a bunch of others. We left a bunch behind who were either too drunk to get down to the dock or they couldn't find the way. I got to the dock at 6:30 and had plenty of time. I had gotten up at 5:00 AM to get going, just to be on the safe side--early. When one misses the boat, he is put on report, and that means he is likely to be down rated. This morning I had a couple of hours sleep after coming on board. I was going ashore for a few hours this afternoon to mail some letters. A few hours was all I needed, but about 11:55 they called me and told me to get ready as was going on patrol duty. I didn't want to do the job, but I went ashore with the others. There were a few fights, but I didn't have much trouble. I found a post office and mailed my letters. On patrol duty I had to go into a lot of places, some good and some bad. There were some ugly looking people. The more I see of these places, the more I appreciate my own country.
Friday, December 27, 1918
I got own to the dock at 1:00 AM and was waiting for the motorboat to come out, but no boat came out. It had probably broken down. So we went up to the officer of the Customs Office and asked permission from the Japs to come in and warm up. They said all right. We got warmed up and the Japs made some hot chocolate for us. That was fine. About 2:00 AM we laid down and went to sleep. They woke us up, and there was a lot of noise. We finally made it back to the ship. I gave a letter that I had written to Lucy to one guy who was going ashore, and he mailed it for me. I got on board at 7:30 AM and went to sleep. (Most of this was illegible)
Saturday, December 28, 1918
I was up this morning at 6:00 AM. I didn't have much of a sleep because I had to change places two or three times during the night, trying to find a better place. I had to show up at 7:00, and at 7:30 they had a general assembly and roll call to see that everyone was aboard. Everyone was there. We left Hokaido at 8:10 AM for Vladivostok, our last stop. I will certainly be glad to get there. We ought to arrive sometime on Monday morning if the weather remains good. Last night it snowed pretty hard, about two inches of snow on deck this morning. I took a few pictures this morning and afternoon of snow covered islands. We passed very close to some of them. At 12:00 noon we passed out of the straight of Hokaido into the Sea of Japan. We are making fine time, about 12 knots per hour. I hope we can keep it up. I was in bed at 9:00 PM. Good Night!
Sunday, December 29, 1918
I was up again at 6:30 after not having much of a sleep. It was a little too cold to sleep good, and I didn't have enough bed clothes. At 7:00 AM it was 17 degrees below the freezing point. During the night the spray would fly upon the rigging and gangway. This morning it was nothing but a frozen mass of ice. It certainly was cold. I took a picture of it. I hope it turns out good. We are still making fine time. At 11:00 AM we came in sight of the main land of Siberia, and we will soon be at our destination. It is very cold and getting colder all the time. At 5:00 PM we picked up the lights at the extrance of the harbor leading to Vladivostok. At 9:00 PM the temperature is dropping steadily. It is now 22 degrees below freezing or 10 degrees above zero. It isn't something one wants to be out in. We are making circles in the water and will enter port in the morning. I hope that we will get our ship ready to go.
Monday, December 30, 1918
There's a Japanese cruiser in port. I took a bunch of pictures. I was up at 6:00 AM. We are lying off the harbor at Vladivostok. At 7:00 AM we headed full speed for Vladivostok. There's quite a bit of ice in the harbor. A half hour later we are going through fields of ice. The ice is about 3 or 4 inches thick. There's an ice breaking boat that comes out to make a path for us. I've got pictures of the ice. We arrived off Vladivostok at 8:30 AM. At last we are here. Thank goodness. We still don't know when we will be transferred to shore, but I hope it will be soon. The USS Brooklyn is in port, and there are a few Russian and Japanese cruisers as well. There is no snow in the city or in the surrounding hills. They say it's too cold for ice and snow, but the harbor is frozen over, and it's very cold. The icebreaker keeps going around the harbor to keep the ice from packing. It's a nice looking city, and I think it will be all right. The captain went ashore to find out where the station will be at. All I want now is to get some mail from someone--my sweetheart. At 3:05 PM we left the anchorage at Vladivostok for Russky Island. We arrived there at 3:40. It's about six miles from Vladivostok. We are anchored off the Island. There is no dock here, and everything will have to be unloaded onto barges. There are quite a few large buildings on the island, including one large American Red Cross building. I heard that the station is about 13 miles inland. So I guess we won't get much of a chance of getting liberty for a while at least. We are going to start unloading sometime soon, as soon as everything is normal on board. They told us that there are four sacks of mail for our ship. I wish it would get here soon. Soon I'll be leaving this ship for the last time. In the evening our mail came at last. I was sure glad to see it come on board. There were three large sacks and one smaller one. I received three wonderful letters from Lucy and one from Cousin Mary. All of the letters were greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, December 31, 1918
I was up at 6:00 AM and getting ready to go to work. l There is a Japanese Mail steamer coming in this morning. She is just about passing us; so we are all looking forward to some nice mail. They gave me a letter to take to the Red Cross building. I had to wait a while for the motor sailer because she was having motor trouble. This is the first time I have been on Russian soil, and I am certainly glad to be here. I returned to the ship about noon for chow. They gave us orders to get ready for the transfer ashore. It didn't take me long as I have been packed up ever since leaving Honolulu. We were transferred about 2:00 PM. I was really happy to be off that ship and hope that I never have to be on her again. All afternoon I and another fellow hauled supplies up to our quarters in a Ford. We all worked hard and were pretty well tired out. We had a snow about 6:30. It was good to have our first meal in our new quarters. A few of the nurses from the American Red Cross came down and invited all the sailors up to their place to celebrate the New Year. We all went up about 8:00 PM. There were about 10 nurses, some of whom were Japanese. We had a pretty good time. They gave us tea, cake, and candy. We were all singing songs of all kinds. At 10:00 PM the wind started to blow, and it started to snow pretty heavy. At 12:00 midnight we sang the Star Spangled Banner and joined together to give three cheers for the American Red Cross. Happy NewYear!
April 14, 2013.
I am beginning the last part of the transcription of my father Walter R. Lindsay's journal. This one goes from January 1, 1919 to December 31, 1919. At the beginning, today, it seems that my father's handwriting has improved, though it's much smaller. Perhaps it's because he's now on dry land. I've done my best to make an accurate copy, but there are times when I don't know the language of the Navy or of the times. The word "machine," for example, means car or motorcycle or taxi or perhaps bus. It's a lot like Italian: the word macchina means car even today. For the most part, comments in parentheses are mine, not my father's. William R. Lindsay, 5/23/31.
Wednesday, January 1, 1919
This is one of those New Years that you read about in books with a real blizzard blowing, and it's snowing very heavy. It's also very cold. The temperature is about five degrees above zero, and I'll tell everybody that's very cold. I got up about 8:00 AM this morning after a very poor night's sleep. I was too cold, and I only had two blankets and need about two more to sleep good. About 8:30 three of us had to go down to the dock to see if there were any orders for us. I had a terrible time getting down there and almost had to give up, but my strength returned to me after resting for about half a minute. The wind was blowing so hard that it took by breath away. I had to keep my back to the wind all the time. The wind would make tears come to my eyes; then they would freeze. I had a large muffler over my mouth, and my breath would settle on it and freeze. My overcoat was white with snow and frozen stiff. My pants were also frozen. It took us about half an hour to get down to the house on the dock. My pockets were all full of snow, handkerchiefs were all frozen. I had to throw my tobacco away. Matches were no good, all wet. After getting down there, there was no one there. I guess there were no orders for us. We could see the Saturn about 220 feet off the dock, and she was frozen in. I could hardly see her on account of the snow. I could see only the masts. We returned to our quarters after getting warm. It wasn't so bad going back as the storm was to our backs, and it shoved us along. About 11:00 AM the American Red Cross sent each of us a Christmas present on account of our spending our Christmas at sea. They gave us a small box of candy and a fine pair of woolen socks and just what we wanted and needed badly. What a great organization! About 2:00 PM the Saturn blew a whistle of distress, and about 20 of the men went down there to see what the trouble was. When they came back, they said that the ice was forcing the Saturn ashore and was now only 50 feet from the docks. Later she got her engines going and managed to break through the ice. She went back into deep water and anchored. Thank goodness she is safe. It's about 6:00 PM, and I'm writing by candle light. There are no electric lights on account of the shortage of coal.
Thursday, January 2, 1919
I got up at 6:45 AM and had chow at 7:15. Three of us were detailed to cleaning up the sleeping quarters. It took us about an hour. Then we were finished, outside of keeping the fires going. The rest of the time can be spent in loafing. This is a nice, clear morning. The sun's shining, but it's very cold. I took some pictures of the USS Saturn frozen in the ice. I also took pictures of German and Austrian prisoners that are on the island. All they have to do is carry coal, and it is said that they couldn't be driven away as they are very satisfied. This afternoon I and two other fellows, Hanson and Doherty, had to go down to the dock to relieve the other fellows after chow, and they will take our place. We'll probably have to stay down there until 5:00 PM. Then the day's work will be over. I mailed a letter to Lucy this morning and I'm going to write one home and mail it this afternoon. It's just 11:00 AM, and we chow at noon. Well, I put in pretty good afternoon's work. I was checking cargo as it left the ship on a barge, and most of the time I was standing on the ice. They couldn't get the barges up to the dock on account of the ice freezing so quickly. The had sleds to unload the barges. Late this evening the Saturn moved from her anchorage and broke her way up to the thick ice so that the ducks (?) could come up to the ship. She had quite a time breaking through. She would back up for about 500 feet or so and then go into the ice at full speed. But she could only penetrate about 200 feet at a time. She did this quite a few times, and they took what they wanted off. I'm writing quite a few letters this evening.
Friday, January 3, 1919
I was up again at 6:45 AM and ready for another day's work. I went to work at 8:00. For a while I checked cargo, then later on I worked on a Ford, trying to get it to run, but nothing doing. I had to give it up because it was too cold and the gasoline wouldn't evaporate. I went back to work in the warehouse, moving boxes to the back of the place to make room for more stuff. I worked hard all forenoon and knocked off work at noon for chow. I had a fine dinner, better than anything we ever got on board ship. I turned to a 1:00 PM and carried more boxes for a while. Then I went back to work on the Ford. We had a motor truck pulling it and it was just going to start running when the transmission busted. It was frozen stiff. I worked on it for a while. There were other fellows working on it as well. They worked on it for about an hour and then they sent for me, saying that they had some other work for me. It was swell work all right. I guess not! I was shoving barrels of crude oil all afternoon, and it was sure cold work, and the wind was blowing pretty hard. I quit working about 5:00 PM and had chow about half an hour later. Tomorrow the whole ship's crew is going to help as they are getting ready to leave.
Saturday, January 4, 1919
I crawled out of the hay pile at 6:45 AM, very much against my will, but it had to be done, as I have to go to work. I slept in last night. It was very cold this morning; that's why I didn't want to go out. I went to work at 8:00 and worked all forenoon rolling barrels of gas and oil, storing boxes and instruments of all kinds. I knocked off at noon and went back to work at 1:00. I stayed down at the warehouse for about an hour; then they sent me up to the garage to work on a sick tin lizzie. I worked all afternoon on it and finally got it running about 5:00. We quit work on it a little while later and went up for chow. I went back again at 6:00 and finished the job at 7:00. I came back to the quarter and had a good wash and shave, my first shave since leaving the ship, and I needed it badly. At 9:00 PM I and two yard workmen went down to the dock to get mail. We got there a little late, and they had already taken it out to the Saturn. We walked out to the ship on the ice to get the mail for the fellows. I got packages and letters. There were some problems getting back through the deep snow, but it was worth it.
Sunday, January 5, 1919
I got up this morning at 7:00 AM and chowed a few minutes later. I went down to the garage to get the tin lizzie ready for a ride. We worked on it for a long time before we got it started. Its joints were all frozen hard, and we had to pour boiling water in it and hot oil. After we got it running we kept it running as it is too hard to start. If it stops for about 10 minutes, it freezes up. We started out for the station at the other end of the island at 9:30 with a large motor truck and six German prisoners. We took the prisoners along to shovel snow. We got out about six miles when the motor truck got stuck in a deep snow drift. The snow was about four feet deep on the road. It took them about an hour to clear the road. Then we took the lead and got pretty near out to the station. Then we got stuck again. We got out and shoved the Ford and got through OK. We got out to the station a little after noon, nearly frozen. We looked around the place to see what it looked like, had some chow, and then returned to quarters. We got back without any trouble. The captain of the USS Saturn was with us. It's a very pretty trip out there: lots of snow and ice. Everything looks pretty and white, but it was an awfully cold trip. I and all of us were pretty near frozen. Tonight we rested, and it's getting colder every moment. Today is Christmas Day in Russia.
Monday, January 6, 1919. I was up again at 6:45 AM, and I feel a little better. l was feeling pretty bad when I went to bed last night, sore all over. It's from all the heavy work and the cold weather. Pretty near every day there is someone who is unable to work. It generally lasts just one day. I don't think I will have any further trouble. All morning I was stowing sacks of cement. This is heavy work, and we were also carrying heavy cases around. They are bringing the cargo from the ship on sleds, and it's kind of slow work. But it is coming pretty steady. I quit work at noon and had chow. I went back to work at 1:00 and worked 'til about 2:00 when one of the foremen asked if I would bring the Ford down to the dock. So I went up to the garage and got the thing started and brought it down to the warehouse. They wanted to try an experiment and see if they could haul stuff over the ice. The experiment worked fine and I hauled sleds all afternoon. lt helped to get the cargo off a lot quicker. I quit work at 5:00 and had chow a half hour later.
Tuesday, January 7, 1919
I was up again at the usual time. At 8:00 I went down to get Lizzie. She didn't want to go, but after a little coaxing she went OK. This morning everything looks pretty as it has been snowing all night. It was still snowing when I got the Ford out on the ice at 10:00. Two inches of snow had fallen. The machine was full of snow, and my clothes were white from it. For a while it snowed very hard and I couldn't see very far. All morning I was hauling barrels of gasoline and heavy cases on sleds with Lizzie. It's pretty hard work for the machine, but it does very well. I hauled a large motor truck. I took about 20 men to help get it moved. After I got it started, it was all right. In the afternoon I hauled about forty tons of coal. I still have about 100 sacks to unload from the ship. We will soon have the Saturn unloaded, probably Thursday. I am going to write letters this evening for a while. Then I'll go to bed for a much needed sleep.
Wednesday, January 8, 1919
I was up again at 6:45 after a good night's sleep. At breakfast time I filled up with chow and I feel fit for any kind of work, though I don't have to do too much of it. l I went to work at 8:00 on the Ford, trying to get it started. I finally got it going with the assistance of four German prisoners. They were doing the cranking, and I was looking on. Of course, I would have liked to try it once in a while. In the forenoon I hauled a few loads from the Saturn and the balance of the forenoon worked on the Ford, doing some repairs. In the afternoon I did the same thing. I can always find something to fix on a Ford. This kind of work is better than working on the dock as the garage is nice and warm and the dock is just the opposite. This evening everybody is playing cards and fooling around. One of the fellows cut part of Hatron's whiskers off, just one half of it. The operation was done while he was asleep and he was a much surprised fellow when he woke up. But he took it good naturedly. Good Night!
Thursday, January 9, 1919
Today all the flags are at half mast out of respect for the death of Teddy Roosevelt. I got up at 7:00 this morning and was late for breakfst. I sure did hate to get up and was very sleepy. Our sleep was broken about 4:00 AM: someone thought he would play a joke on us, and he set the alarm clock and woke us all up. We thought it was time to get up. In the morning they blamed one of the fellows who was innocent. It was a put-up job. But I hope they don't try it again, as it is no fun getting woke up at 4:00 AM. All day I worked on the Ford, cleaning it up and killing time. The ship was unloaded about 3:00 PM, and we are all very glad she's unloaded. She's going to sail sometime tomorrow afternoon. At 4:05 in the afternoon we took the Ford out on the ice to see how thick it was. We rode about five miles and ran into some very heavy snow. It was about a foot thick, and it was hard going. And it was very cold, the coldest I have ever been. At 7:45 PM all the operators were called out to the ship for physical examinations. We all had to strip, but we all passed perfectly.
Friday, January 10, 1919
Well, I got up late again this morning. It was 7:15 AM this time. This is the hardest part of the job--getting up. But then, I stand in good with the cooks so there is little danger of my not getting any chow. Last night as I was about to retire, one of the officers came after me. He wanted me to put the Tin Lizzie in the garage. So I got ready to take Lizzie over to the garage, but I couldn't because the German prisoners had taken the keys and had forgotten to bring them back. So I had to leave it out all night. In the morning I couldn't get the thing started; so I got a hold of the Army truck and got a tow, getting it started easy that way. All morning I was running all around the place carrying supplies, also towing a large truck, but I couldn't get it started. Right after lunch, Mr. Rodgers and I took Lizzie out to the ship to get mail if there was any. Sure enough there was some. I got two letters, one from my sweetheart and one from Brother Edward who's in New York. I was certainly glad to get those letters. I didn't have a chance to read them at the time as I had to take a couple of French and English officers out to the Japanese wireless station. It's about a five mile ride over the ice. While I was waiting for the men to return, I read the letters. It warms the heart and soul, so that the outside cold isn't noticeable. Where the machine was stopped, there was pretty deep snow; so I moved to a place where there was less but had a hard time doing so because I ran into deeper snow and underneath there was ice. But I made it out OK and made it back safely.
Saturday, January 11, 1919
For a change I got up in time for breakkfast, but just in time. At 8:00 AM I went over to the garage to proceed to start my fiend Lizzie, but evidently Lizzie had a hard night, for she would not go, despite the tender words I bestowed upon her. Very tender indeed, but I would not like to have anyone hear those endearing words. But after two hours of cranking, coaxing, and cussing, she started. I didn't do much work with her, only two trips to the warehouse and quarters with porvisions. And at noon I returned her to the garage. At 11:00 AM the USS Saturn left her mooring and I think she proceeded to sea. I hope so. I wish her a safe voyage but hope that I will never see her again. This afternoon it's starting to storm. The wind is blowing at gale force, and it's snowing heavy. I decided not to work this afternoon. Most of the other men remained inside. I was having a nice sleep when one of the fellows called me and said that I had to take an examination for foreman. I don't want this job, so I fell down on the ice. In the evening I wrote a couple of letters.
Sunday, January 12, 1919
I could sleep late this morning as they are not going to have breakfast 'til 8:30 AM. So I didn't get up 'til 8:00. I sure enjoy staying in bed late these cold mornings, and it sure feels good. All morning I wrote letters, one to home and one to Cousin Margarita. We're still having stormy weather. It's blowing a gale and snowing heavy, and everything inside is pretty quiet as most of the men have gone to town. I hardly know what to do with myself. I feel homesick and lonesome for my sweetheart and the folks at home. I certainly wish I could go home on the next steamer, but many steamers will sail for America before I go in one. This evening I received a letter from my folks. I was the only one that received any mail in this crowd, and each letter received makes me feel more homesick for the loved ones.
Monday, January 13, 1919
The 13th is my lucky number. I didn't get up 'til 11:00 AM as I wasn't feeling like doing anything extra; and, besides, this has been declared a holiday. Most of the men went over to Vladivostok this morning early, and another bunch went this afternoon. So there are very few fellows around at present. It is just about 12:00 noon. I have finished lunch and am waiting to take some French officers down to the dock at 4:30 PM. I took the officers down to the dock and brought the machine back to the garage. I was talking to the German prisoners who take charge of the place and showed them some pictures I took, coming from San Francisco to Honolulu, also around Honolulu. They were very much interested in them and have invited me to come down to their camp to see some of their pictures and the things they make. At 5:30 PM supper is over, and everything is very quiet. Everybody here is writing letters home, except one fellow is playing something very pathetic, a quiet fitting to a night like this. This has been a pretty fair day, the sun out most of the time, but it's very cold, about 29 degrees below zero, and this is 52 degrees below the freezing point; so the sun doesn't help very much, just cheers things up a little. I'm going to write a letter to Lucy. Then I'll probably take a trip down to the prison camp and see what it is like, as I have never been in one. At 10:00 I didn't go to the camp after all: it was much too cold, and besides they wanted me to play cards. I have noticed that it's getting colder all the time.
Tuesday, January 14, 1919
I got up bright and early this morning, and I feel like doing all kinds of work. Breakfast was at 7:15, and I went to work at 8:00. I went down to the garage to get Lizzie out. I got her started early this time, but I had quite a bit of work to do on it. I had to put on some new parts. I got these on and had the machine running fine; so I went down to the warehouse to work for some officers, got there about 11:00 and one of the wires busted and something else went at the same time. This certainly made me mad, but it couldn't be helped. I got one part of it fixed OK, but in doing so I froze both of my feet, and still I had to stand around waiting for those officers. Then I found out they couldn't get here on account of so much ice. So I gave up the job, and when I got up to our quarters my feet were in pretty bad shape. I couldn't move my toes or bend my feet. I rubbed them for a long time with woolen socks and finally got them feeling better, but they are a long ways from being all right. I was supposed to take the Ford out to the station this afternoon, but one of the officers told me to stay inside and keep warm. So I will do so. One of the other men took the machine out. I heard this afternoon that one of the Russian motor trucks went through the ice, and four of the Russians were drowned. It is certainly dangerous work driving on the ice, since you can never tell how thick the ice is. All evening we played cards. We won the first two games and lost the next two. After finishing the game I wrote for a while to Lucy, but the lights wnet out. So I couldn't write much, I am expecting mail sometime tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 15, 1919
I was up again at 6:45 AM and had chow. I went to work, but there wasn't much to do. We'll have to wait 'til we move out to the station. They've got a lot of material out there, and there'll be plenty to do. This morning they busted the transmission on one of the large trucks. This is going to delay the work for a while. This morning I got orders to go over to town to get some overshoes. I didn't want the job, but I guess I will have to go anyhow. I went down to the dock to get the boat at 1:00 PM, but the boat was late. It was pretty near 3:00 PM when we got to Vladivostok. I went up to the office, but the fellow we wanted to see wasn't there; so we turned around and took the same boat back. I don't think very much of the place, but I couldn't tell as we only went two blocks. There were lots of shops. I hope I don't have to go over to that place again, not until I leave for dear old San Francisco. I'm writing a letter to my sweetheart, and I'm waiting for mail from her and home. It's expected about 9:00 PM. Mail came in but there was none for me. I was very much disappointed, but I'm in hopes of receiving some very soon. There is some mail held up someplace--where? No one knows.
Thursday, January 16, 1919
I was up at 6:45 AM and was supposed to go over to town this morning, but I wouldn't do it on account of having no warm hat or gloves that were regulation. So one of the chief operators, R. E. Stam, put me on report for court martial. I went to one of the officers and explained the circumstances, and I was cleared; so this fellow was fooled. He is always causing some trouble. This afternoon I have to go to town to get gloves and other small stores. I sure hate to go over to that place, but I guess I will have to go. I got back to quarters at 4:40 PM after getting what clothing I needed. I came back on the same steamer that had to go very slow because the ice is very thick. It's some sight, watching the boat plowing through the ice. It breaks the ice up into big cakes and shoves it aside. It takes a powerful boat to break the ice. In some places the ice is over a foot thick. Today the whole bay was covered with ice. Yesterday there wasn't much quiet. We'll be glad when there is no ice and when warm weather comes. This evening I finished a letter to Lucy, and tomorrow I'll finish another to Mother. I turned in a little after 10:00 PM.
Friday, January 17, 1919
I got up at 7:00 AM this morning and had breakfast. Then I loafed around for a while. Later I was breaking ice in one of the hallways. One of the the sinks overflowed and filled the place with water. This morning it was frozen hard. There were about eight of us at this work. We finished the job in about an hour and a half. So now I have nothing more to do, at least for the present. All night long and this morning we could hear the cannons going off. They must be doing some fighting in the interior, about fifteen miles from here, from the way it sounds. They were keeping it up pretty strongly. This afternoon I went down to the warehouse to get some provisions for the station. We just got out enough stores for two days. I expect that we will move out to the station very soon, at least I hope so as I want to get established in the new quarters and get started on the radio installation. This evening I finished a letter to Mother and wrote one to Edward. I mailed Lucy's letter and the other two out at the Red Cross Hospital, which is only a few hundred feet away.
Saturday, January 18, 1919
I was up again at 7:00 AM. This is another cold morning. It's always cold, but sometimes it's even colder. All forenoon I did nothing at all but stay inside and keep warm. About six of the civilian workmen moved out to the station this morning. So I guess we all will be going out soon, probably tomorrow. I got the motor truck running, the one that was busted the other day, and this afternoon they are going to take a load of stuff out to the station, cooking utensils, stoves, etc. A bunch of stuff went out this morning, eight teams loaded down. They call these teams droskeys. It's just a four wheel vehicle pulled by a horse. It was some procession: an armed guard went along with them so that none of the stuff would be stolen. Some of the natives on the island are on the warpath. They caused some trouble at the radio station, but they were soon put out of commission by the American soldiers stationed there. There was some shooting, but no one was hurt. They are expecting trouble in Vladivostok any time, but there's not much danger as there are about four of the allied warships in port. At 9:20 AM about six letters came in, one for me from Mother, none from Lucy, but I'll get one next time.
Sunday, January 19, 1919
It's Sunday morning; so didn't get up 'til 7:30 AM. Anderson and I went on a hike to see part of the island. We walked around for a while and then we went down to the prison camp and saw the German and Austrian prisoners. I also saw some of the things they make, all kinds of jewelry which they make out of American half dollars and other silver coins. We hung around there for about a half an hour and then went back to our quaraters. I had dinner and slept for a while. Then when I woke up, I wrote part of a letter to Mother, about 4 pages. The rest of the time I just loafed around. I was invited up to the Red Cross to a little party given by the nurses, but I didn't go as I was too sleepy. And, besides, there's going to be a big job to do tomorrow, as we are going to move out to the station, and hike at that. It's going to be some hiking.
Monday, January 20, 1919
I was up bright and early this morning, had chow, and packed all my duds as we move out to the station today. At 9:30 the Droskeys came up to our quarters; so we packed all our things on them. There were about six teams. We started out about 10:30, the teams shortly after us. It sure was a cold trip, especially when we were walking over the ice. The wind was blowing pretty strong and it would go right through us. The whole gang was strung along the ice, some ahead and others behind. I was near the end as usual. It was about two miles across the ice, and there was plenty of snow--hard walking as the snow was very soft, just like powder. Just as we got across, we came upon a machine stuck in the snow; so we all gave him a hand to get it out. It was another hard job after having walked so far, and we were only half way there. The fellow who was stuck was a Russian officer. We got out to the station about 8:00 PM, and we sure were glad to get there. And, believe me, we were pretty tired. It's about a nine mile hike, and most of the way was through the snow. The Droskeys arrived about two hours after we did. We got them unloaded in about half an hour, and then they started back. We had chow at 6:30, and there was sure a hungry bunch of fellows. About 8:30 three fellows came in that hiked from our other quarters, and they were pretty well all in. They had to carry one guy part way, and he was pretty near frozen stiff. For a while he was out of his mind, but now he's getting better. It's also about 30 degrees below zero on this side of the island. That's too cold.
Tuesday, January 21, 1919
I had a good night's sleep and got up at 6:45 AM. I had chow at 7:10 and was ready for work at 8:00. The first thing on the program was to get water for the cooks. We have a 50 gallon barrel on two wheels, and it takes about five fellows to haul it. It's about half a mile to the spring, and it's some job coming back because it's all up hill. After we got back, we were stringing telegraph wires as we expect to get in communications this afternoon from the USS Brooklyn, which is at Vladivostok. We are just putting up temporary wires, and later on better wires will be put up. I had lunch at noon and nothing else to do but load around and write 'til 1:00 PM. That afternoon we will finish running the wires. It's just 7:00 PM and the day's work is over. This afternoon we finished running the wires. We had to do some it over as a mistake was made. They connected up one of the wrong wires on the telegraph poles. After we got everything hooked up, it still wouldn't work. We think the fault is at the other end. We are in hopes of getting it to work tomorrow. The yard workmen are removing a large engine out of the kitchen into the storeroom. They are doing this to make room for the cooks. Tomorrow I don't know what we will do, but anyhow there will be lots of work for a long time to come. I'm going to bed early tonight. I need sleep.
Wednesday, January 22, 1919
I was up again and ready for the day's work. The first thing we did was cleaning up one of the rooms which was pretty dirty. We worked for about an hour on it and loafed for about the same length of time as there was nothing else to do at present. So I fired up my bunk. I just had boards before; so I spent some time in improving it. I put in canvas instead of the boards, and it worked much better. I will be able to sleep good now. I also finished a letter to Lucy and Mother. One of our men went in for the mail and to mail letters. I hope we get some mail as there is a bunch due us. This afternoon we had some pretty stiff work. They were putting up a temporary aerial so that they can receive press dispatches. I went up one tower, and one of the other fellows, Anderson, went up another. It's some climb up although they are only 300 feet high. I was up on top of the tower for about an hour, making splices in ropes and hoisting the aerial. I took some fine pictures from up there. After we finished the job, we went for another good job, a long hike.
Thursday, January 23, 1919
I got up at 6:45 AM. I had a great night's sleep and chow at 7:15. So I'm ready for anything that comes along. We played a good joke on one of the chiefs. We tied a tin can under his bed and attached a thread from there to our room. After he got to bed and asleep, we started the can arattling. He woke up but thought the noise was in another room; so he didn't pay any attention to it. We waited for a while and started it going again, good and strong. Then we broke the thread. He came aflying out of the room. He thought for sure that there were spooks in the room. He got another fellow, who was in on the joke, to look under the bed with a flashlight, and accidentally on purpose the flashlight wouldn't work. This morning the chief admitted that he was scared stiff. I went to the other side of the island this morning with the Ford to get our receiving apparatus and some other things. When I got there they were working on the big truck, trying to get it started. They goot it started by towing it with the other truck. Then we loaded both trucks and started out for the other side of the island. It took us about two hours to make the trip of nine miles. The large truck got stuck a few times in the snow. As I had skip chains on the Ford, I managed to pull him out OK. We arrived at this side about 4:00 PM, good and tired. There was no mail in town for us. I thought I was going to get some, and maybe someday I will. There was a large steamer that came in today. Maybe they'll have some mail.
Friday, January 24, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM. Anderson and I went out trouble shooting. We were looking for trouble on one of the telegraph lines, but could find no trouble. We tested 12 telegraph lines. It was some job. We had to stand in the snow all the time and lay the instruments in the snow. It's a cold job, but it was the warmest day we have had for some time, only five degrees above zero. When we came back from this job, we did some other odd jobs 'til noon and then had chow and rested 'til one PM. Then we went back to work. We moved a large cabinet weighing about one thousand pounds. Eight of us carried it from one building into another. This was a hard job, and it was a little too heavy for us. It put me out of commission; so I could only do light work for the rest of the afternoon. I was trying to get hold of the telegraph office at Vladivostok from this end, but I couldn't do it. I got some one on the line, but he couldn't understand the good language of the USA, and I couldn't blabber the Russian; so I had to give it up. This evening three new men came to the station--a radio gunner, a chief electrician, and a first class operator. The operator's name is Anderson. This makes three Andersons in the outfit. Some gang!
Saturday, January 25, 1919
I was up at 7:00, chow at 7:30. I feel very bum this morning as I have a dandy cold. I got it the other day when I went to the other side of the island. I had been working pretty hard and was sweating. The ride back to the station was pretty cold. I cooled off too quickly. So that's how I got my cold. It's very hard to get rid of a cold in this country. This morning a bunch of us went down to the bay side to get some lumber to make more tables. The tables were all filled up and when the extra men came out, so there was no room for them. There is still a bunch of fellows to come out to the station, but I don't know when they will get here. The rest of the day up to noon I just did odd jobs. This evening one of the operators went to Vladivostok to get our mail, and he is supposed to get back sometime this evening. I sure hope he will be able to get some as we haven't had any for a long time, and I sure need some. This afternoon they got the receiving apparatus working for the first time, and one of the first stations they heard was one of the Atlantic stations. They also heard the French stations and the station at Rome, Italy. They sure have a fine receiving set. They also got the lighting engine working; so now we have electric lights. It is my job to keep the thing running. They only run it from 5:00 PM to 11:00. This is the only work I have to do. The rest of my time is my own.
Sunday, January 26, 1919
I was up again at 7:00 AM. I still have the cold, but I think it is getting a little better. I wish I didn't have it. The fellow that was supposed to get the mail returned about 10:00 AM. He said that there was nothing for us. I sure was disappointed, as I was sure there was going to be something for me. Anyhow, no news is good news. Next time we ought to get some--at least I hope so. At noon we had a fine chicken dinner. I wish I was at home today to have dinner there and also be able to go out and see my sweetheart, but as it is I guess I will have to do without all. My day is coming sometime, but it's a long ways off. I am writing, but time is going by very slow. This afternoon I am going to have a little snooze and also write a few lines to Lucy. I didn't get my sleep after all. They wanted me to listen in on the receiving set; so I had to do it. But I would much rather have had some sleep. Also I wrote a few pages to Lucy and will write more soon again. I went on watch at 5:00 PM and had a lot of trouble with the engine. There isn't enough water to keep it cool. I was in bed at 11:00.
Monday, January 27, 1919
I was up at 7:00 AM. I intended to sleep late this morning, but no chance. There's too much noise around this place. This morning I had a bad dream. I dreamed that my sweetheart had died. I certainly was glad it was only a dream. I hope I have no more like it. All day I worked on a portable field sensing apparatus. This was quite a job as I had to trace all the wires. It's German-made machine, and all the figures and letters are in German and Russian. This is why I had to trace it and change all the names of the parts to our own language. It's a pretty complicated piece of machinery. I think they are going to use this thing as a temporary transmitter so that we can communicate with the USS Brooklyn at Vladivostok. So far we have been unable to get our telegraph lines working. I had chow at 4:45 PM and went on watch at 5:00. I ran the engine 'til 11:00 and then went to bed.
Tuesday, January 28, 1919
I was out of the hay pile at 7:00 AM, and I sure hated to get up as it was very nice in bed. I didn't sleep much during the night as I had very bad pains in my stomach. This was caused by the hard work, such as trying to start the large lighting engine. I will never do it again. I'm going to get someone else to do the heavy work after this. I loafed around for a while this morning and later listened in on the receiver. I heard my old station at South San Francisco. It certainly makes one homesick to hear San Francisco. The signals came in strong, but they are a long way off, even though I can bring them in at this place. This afternoon I had nothing to do but sleep after I got finished working the engine. I have to stand watch in the radio room for about 4 hours; I have to do some experimenting to do. This morning one of the men went to town to see if there is any mail for us. I hope we get some. At 5:00 PM I recieved one letter which was from Lucy.
Wednesday, January 29, 1919
I got up at 9:30 AM. I slept late as I didn't go to bed 'til about 2:00 AM. I was standing watch in the radio room. All morning I worked in the power house doing odd jobs. This afternoon I worked on the lighting engine for a couple of hours. I had to fix a couple of bearings that were loose. I also had to fix a few other things that had worked loose. The engine is only sitting on a temporary wood base, and it vibrates pretty badly. As soon as they get it on a good solid base, we will have less trouble. After finishing this job, I was checking in stores for the power house. They are getting along pretty well now, and they will soon be putting in the large engines for the radio set. They are moving the large engine bases that were left by the Russians. The power house is full of parts of engines that were never set up. I went on watch at 5:00 PM and worked 'til 10:30. The engine is not working very well.
Thursday, January 30, 1919
I was up again at 9:30 AM after going to bed at 1:00 AM. This morning I worked on the engine for a little while and then was helping to move the large engine base. At 11:00 AM the large motor truck caught on fire, and we had some time putting it out. It took us about half an hour to put it out. The fire did quite a bit of damage, and it will be a couple of days before the thing is running again. They had a fire under the engine trying to thaw it out. This is the only way they can get the engines started. This afternoon I am going to finish a letter to Lucy and write one home. I went on watch at at 5:00 PM. The old engine was running fine all evening except for last half hour when it began to get pretty hot. We haven't enough water to keep it cool. After I shut the engine down--and it was pretty near stopped turning over--the piston on the oil pump busted. It tore the pump out of the casting. It's a good thing the engine wasn't going full speed or else it would have done a lot more damage.
Friday, January 31, 1919
I was up again at the lazy man's hours of 9:30 AM. All morning I just loafed around the power house watching what was going on and learning something new every day. This afternoon I did nothing but a little practicing on the radio, and Morse code. I have to brush up once in a while. I mailed a letter to Lucy this morning. The mail man will probably return this evening--at least he is supposed to. I have hopes of receiving another letter from my sweetheart. The mail is due in about 6:00 PM. I went to work at 5:00 and worked 'til 11:00 PM. I was working on the storage batteries all evening, and I got acid all over my fingers. I had a hard time stopping them from burning. I put some butter on them, and that helped a little. While I was doing this, the mail came; so I had to clean my hands. I received three letters--two from Lucy and one from Mother--and two newspapers. I was sure glad to get them. I'll read them while I'm on radio watch.
(April 16, 2013, was when I started this part of the transcription. I believe the letters USAT stand for United States Army Transport. Bill Lindsay)
Saturday, February 1, 1919
I was up at 8:00 AM, but I didn't get very much sleep as I didn't go to bed until 4:00 AM. I was standing radio waatch all the time, and I'm not standing watch in the power house anymore. They are short on radio operators so I had to transfer over. I don't think this will last very long for me as I would much rather be working in the power house. I can learn more over there, while at radiio you do nothing but copy messages and that gets pretty tiresome. I was on watch this afternoon from 2:00 PM 'til 8:00. It's just 9:15 now so I think I will write a few lines to my sweetheart. I received a very nice letter from her mother and sister. Now I am going to bed and get some good sleep, and I need it badly.
Sunday, February 2, 1919
I was up again at 7:30 AM. All forenoon I helped fix up the motor trucks. I was working on the one that had caught fire the other day. They have it running again. Since the fire they have built a garage to keep them in; so they won't have any more trouble with getting them started in the moning after this. I had a fine dinner today, turkey and everything else. This afternoon I go on watch at 2:00 PM, and I'll work until 2:00 AM. I am working one of the other operator's tricks so that he could go to town. Up 'til 2:00 PM I am going to write letters to Lucy. I went on watch at 2:00 PM and copied a bunch of messages from San Francisco and lots of other stations. While on watch I wrote quite a few pages to Lucy. They told me this evening that I would not have to stand radio watch any more and that tomorrow I would be in the power house. The power house job is the one that I like. Copying press dispatches and messages is too tiresome. I would much raather be on the job where I can move around.
Monday, February 3, 1919
It's 3:20 AM, and I'm just going off watch. I have copied over 5,000 words of press from Berlin, Germany, and I was sure glad to get finished. I wrote a few more pages to my sweetheart and got to bed at 3:30. I was up again at 7:30 and at 8:30 I went on the water detail. We had to haul four loads of waater. I was only able to make two trips. It was too cold for me, and I started to cough too much. I certainly have a bad cold. I wish I could get rid of it. This afternoon I was working in the power house. They were moving parts of the engine that the Russian people left here. One piece we moved weighed more than 20 tons. It was some job moving it. It took six men to move it, using double tackle. They are getting the power house pretty well cleaned up. I went on engine watch at 5:00 PM, and at 7:30 the gasket on the cylinder head blew out. So I had to shut it down. I went to bed at 9:30 PM. I'll have to fix the engine tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 4, 1919
I was up again at 7:30 AM. I had a good night's sleep, and my cold is much better. I wrote a few more lines to Lucy and Mother. About 9:30 AM I had to go down and get more water. It was very cold as the wind was blowing strong, as it has all night. We made three trips. Thbis afternoon I was connecting up telephones and testing out the telegraph lilnes. They are still trying to get a connectioin with the USS Brooklyn. There are about 15 lines to test and it's hard to test and find out the right one. We have one connected up but don't know whether it's the right one or not. I am expecting some mail this evening. The mail man went in this morning and is to return about 6:00 PM. It's getting close to 5:00; so I have to get ready to go to the power house and get the engine started. I ran the engine until 11:00 PM. It ran fine all evening, the first good night in a long time. Well, the mail man didn't get here. I guess he missed the boat.
Wednesday, February 5, 1919
I got up at 10:00 AM, and I feel fierce this morning. It's that bad cold that I have had. When I went to bed last night I was feeling bad, but I thought a good sleep would help. But I'm certainly worse this morning. About 11:00 AM I went over to the power house and worked for a while. I'm trying my best to keep from getting sick and don't want to be laid up now as there is too much work to be done. I had lunch at 12:25 PM and went back to the power house at 1:00 and worked all afternoon there, doing odd jobs, cleaning engines, etc. This evening I couldn't run the engine because we had no water. This evening I feel worse than ever and can hardly get around. This problem seems to be going around to everybody. One fellow is in the hospital, and about four are in bed. Our chief operator is delirious and has completely lost his head. The cold is really something like the influenza or "La Grippe"; pretty soon everybody will have a cold. I feel as though I am going to drop at any moment. I only wish that Lucy could be with me. It would be a great help. We have yet to get through this, but with the help of God we will have much to be thankful for. If only I could see Lucy tonight. I'm going to bed now.
Thursday, February 6, 1919
I got up at 10:30 AM, still feeling bum, but a little better. I wish I could get rid of the cold entirely, but it takes a long time. We had a pretty good meal at noon; so I guess if I am able to eat I will be all right. This afternoon they had to take two more men to the hospital--one of the head men and a foreman. Also a couple more of our men are down in bed. It looks like it's going around to all the men. I sure looks like the 'flu in a mild form. All afternoon I was experimenting with cid (?) trying to get some sal ammoniac, but I could get nothing but sulfate of sulfur. Also I was making distilled water for our storage batteries. It's a slow process. We take snow and boil it. Then the steam condenses, and we filter it. Then we have distilled water. A transport came in this morning. It has 195 sacks of mail; so I am in hopes of getting mail soon. The mail man will probably go in for it tomorrow. I quit work at 9:00 PM and the engine got hot and stopped. We still don't have enough water to keep it cool. I went to bed at 10:30 PM, still feeling kind of bum but better than before.
Friday, February 7, 1919
I was up at 7:30 AM after a bum night's sleep. I was coughing pretty near all night, but I feel much better--still pretty weak. They took another man to the hospital last night and another this morning. The doctor said that it was nothing more than the real 'flu. They have sent out masks for us to wear, but none are doing it so far. All morning I worked at the power house, but I didn't do very much. I'll have to wait 'til I feel better, which will be soon. Today the good ship came in, and we received lots of mail. I got five letters from Lucy, home, Mrs. Butchnut, my aunts, Mother, etc. I will write to Lucy today and the others tomorrow. It's just 5:00 PM; so I will have to get out to the power house and get busy. I shut the engine off at 11:00 PM after having a little trouble with it--as I always seem to have with it. I was in bed by 11:30 PM.
Saturday, February 8, 1919
I was up at 7:15 AM and had chow. I feel much better today; so I guess I will live through it all right. All morning I was working in the power house. I didn't do much work, mostly looking on as I don't feel much like working. If I work for a little while I am all in; so I am not going to try any hard work for a while. I'm going to take life easy for a few days, and besides I need the rest. There isn't very much going on as pretty near everyone is sick with the 'flu. The Naval doctors came out today and gave us some instructions on the prevention of the epidemic, and they left a hospital apprentice to take care of the sick or if anyone should get hurt. He will be able to attend to them. I wrote a letter to Wilma in the afternoon, and I'm going to write more tomorrow.
Sunday, February 9, 1919
It's the fortieth day of the year! I was lazy this morning and didn't get up until 9:30. I don't like to get up early on Sundays: it's supposed to be a day of rest and sleep--at least that's my estimation. All morning I was writing a letter to Mrs. Steel and in the afternoon I wrote part of a letter to Lucy. While writing her, I had to go downstairs to get a cup of coffee, and when I came back, my pen had disappeared. I found it later: one of the fellows had borrowed it. So I couldn't write any more, and besides it was close to the time that I was supposed to start my engine running. All morning and afternoon it snowed very heavy. It looked very pretty to see the fresh snow over the ground. The sun was out in the late forenoon. The sun shining on the snow would make it glisten. It was very pretty. The latter part of the afternoon was very dark and gloomy. At 12:00 midnight it was good night.
Monday, February 10, 1919.
I was up at 7:15 AM. This is another one of those extremely cold days. It would be fine to hug a fire. but there's no fire to hug, and the steam heater is not very good. Pretty near all day I was trying to write a letter to Lucy, but I couldn't do very much as I was too much disturbed. At times it's very hard to write, especially when there isn't much to write about--and there sure isn't much to write about in this country. At 5:00 PM some more mail came in. I received another letter from Lucy and a package containing a very nice scarf, just what I needed. It certainly is great to receive a present in this country, and from my sweetheart at that. I wasn't expecting any birthday presents; so it caught me quite by surprise. I also received a letter from Mother and a newspaper from Aunt Myrtle. This evening while running the engine, I developed a roll of films. They all turned out fine.
Tuesday, February 11, 1919
I was up again as usual at 7:15 AM, had chow at 7:30, and was over in the power house all morning. They are cleaning out the place, getting ready to put in the new engines, which will be started pretty soon. This morning some of the fellows went over to town to get more mail, which was supposed to have arrived this morning. They will be back some time this evening. This afternoon I going to write some more to Lucy. I wrote up to a few minutes to 5:00 and then went on watch. No mail came in; so I guess there will be no more 'til around the first of the week. The transport Sherman left a few days ago for the USA. I sent mail out on her. The transports always bring in the most mail as they come directly from San Francisco via Honolulu. I went to bed at midnight.
Wednesday, February 12, 1919
I crawled out of the hay pile at 7:15 AM. I feel very bum this morning and have another bad cold. I was sweating last night while working on the engine. Then I went outside and got cold. It was only about 40 degrees below zero. It looks as though I'll never get rid of the cold. This morning I was working around the power house, getting my engine in condition, and I brought in a barrel of gasoline. The work is progressing very slow. They don't have enough cement to do the work. They are waiting for some to come from somewhere. The carpenters are fixing up some rooms downstairs. They will have this place looking pretty good when they get finished. This afternoon I'm going to write for a while, and then I'm going to get a little sleep if possible. At 5:00 PM no sleep was possible because of the noise.
Thursday, February 13, 1919
I didn't get up 'til noon. I was feeling very bad; so I remained in bed. My cold seems to get worse instead of better, and I didn't sleep all night, doing nothing but coughing. I slept pretty well in the forenoon. In the afternoon I worked in the power house. Quite a few engines came in this afternoon. Some were in good condition and others in very poor condition. There is going to be lots of work on them. They are all small engines used mostly for pumping and for compression. I mailed a letter to Lucy, Mrs. Steele, and Vilma today. I received my pictures from the USS Brooklyn this evening. Some of them were very good, but others not so good as I expected. It was the fault of the printers. I'm going to print some myself when I get the paper and see if I can do any better. I'm in bed at 10:30 PM.
Friday, February 14, 1919
I slept in again 'til noon and had another bum night. I still have the 'flu in my system, and it looks as though I can't get rid of it. All day I have been so hoarse that I could hardly talk; so I'd do as little talking as possible. I guess the others aren't sorry for that because whenever there's an argument going on, yours truly is always in on it. But never where I have to remain neutral. This afternoon I was working on the lighting engine, and I fixed up a few more defects. There's always something wrong with that engine. Also I was working on the other engines that came in. Yesterday one of them was rusted so bad that none of the parts would move. Thus there are going to be a few days of good hard work on it, to put it in first class condition. This has been our first warm day. The temperatauare went up to two degrees above the freezing point. The snow started to melt, and the roads were in a very muddy condition in just a few hours of that weather condition. If the weather will keep up for a few days, there will be no more ice or snow. But this evening everything was frozen up hard. I expect it will thaw out in the morning. I ran the engine 'til 11:30 PM and went to bed at 12:30. This is Valentine's Day, and I wonder how my valentine is.
Saturday, February 15, 1919
I got up at 7:15 AM and feel much better this morning. All morning I was working on the engines. They sure are in a bad condition. We fiixed up one of them good, and it runs good. It was the worst one. I'm going to fix up another Monday. The plumbers are working on the water main. They are pumping water to the reservoir; so I guess we will have running water in the building pretty soon. I hope so, as we sure need it. I wrote a letter home this afternoon. This is another warm day. The snow is melting pretty fast, but it all freezes up again in the evening. You could stay outside for a while without freezing.
Sunday, February 16, 1919
I didn't get to bed until 1:30 AM. I was fooling with the fellow on the USS Brooklyn. He was telling me about the poor chow they were getting. I was also finding out when the next steamer came in. It comes in tomorrow at 11:00 AM. So I hope I get some mail. The telegraph line to the Brooklyn works fine. I got up at the usual time and had breakfast. I wrote a letter to Aunt Myrtle before lunch, and for a while this afternoon I was scouting around the hills. I didn't stay out very long because I didn't have enough clothes on. It's not very cold, just 34 degrees above freezing (Did he mean zero?). At last we have some running water in the building and it's much better than having to go after it. I'm going to write a few lines to Lucy and then get a little sleep. I slept for about an hour and then got up and started my engine agoing. I ran the engine 'til about 11:00 PM and then went to bed. This is a fine, clear moonlit night, and it's not very cold.
Monday, February 17, 1919
I was up at 7:15 AM, had chow at 7:30. All morning I was working around the power house. I worked for a while on the lighting engine and fixed a few things that were loose. I had lunch at 12:15 PM. In the afternoon I walked down to the pumping plant to see what was going on down there. They were fixing up the pipe lines; some of the pipes had burst from the pressure of the water. There is all kinds of water in the reservoir now, enough to last us two weeks without doing any pumping. This is another nice day. It's still just above the freezing point. They brought out one of the large generators for the transmitting machine. It sure was a heavy machine. They had some time unloading it.
Tuesday, February 18, 1919
I didn't get up 'til noon and was very lazy this morning because I didn't got to bed 'til after 1:00 AM, and I needed the sleep. I didn't do any work this afternoon. I just filled up the barrels with water to keep the engine cool. The rest of the time was spent in looking around and lying around. This morning Mr. Rodman returned to the station. He had been in the hospital for some time with the 'flu. The other day, the fellow who is drilling the well for the station caught a bunch of small fish in his machine. They were about 70 feet underground. The only way that we can figure out they're getting there is that there must be a crevice underneath the whole place. The wind was blowing strong all day. It's kind of cold but not bad. The man went for mail at 10:00 AM and up to 5:00 PM we have seen no sign of him. I guess he went the long way.
Wednesday, February 1919
It's the fiftieth day of the year, and it's my birthday. I'm 23 years old. I was up at 9:30 AM and was a little lazy; so I slept longer. I was kept busy all morning, making different things for the radio set. In the afternoon I did some more work, and I worked hard. Our commanding officer sure is making up for lost time since he has returned from the hospital. I was running the engine all afternoon and doing other jobs in between time. Most of the boys are putting in requests for discharge from service, but before I had a chance to put mine in, the CO said it would be of no use as he wouldn't recommend it to the flag ship. So I guess I am doomed. He said that he would probably consider it later on--very nice of him. Indeed, especially when I want to get out of the service and get home. Today is my birthday and I celebrated it by working less. The men returned from town this evening. They said that there was no mail to greet us.
Thursday, February 20, 1919
As usual I am lazy and didn't rise from the covers 'til 9:00 AM. I was going to write letters this morning to Lucy; and just as I was about to get started, the C.O. came after me with a job, and I had no peace for the rest of the day. I was kept very busy. Most of the afternoon was spent in cleaning and testing storage batteries. The work is progressing much faster in the power house and things are beginning to look like something. About the middle of next week they will probably be setting up the engines. The trucks no longer go over the ice on account of the ice.. It is still warm and very little snow remains. Yesterday morning it snowed very heavy, about 2 inches fell in five minutes. It looked very pretty with fresh snow all around. I received word that a bunch of mail had come in this afternoon from the Russian island (Russky Island?); so some of the men are going in for it tomorrow. At 10:00 PM I cleaned up and afterwards wrote some letters.
Friday, February 21, 1919
I did pretty good this morning: I got up in time for breakfast. Then I went to work, fixing up storage batteries. They are new ones and had never been used before. It's some job unpacking them and assembling. In the afternoon I put the batteries into commission. I had to mix up acid and pour it into the jars. I burned myself a few times. The water would get very hot and boil, with acid and water flying all over the place. I got no mail today as there was no one able to go after it. Sos I guess we will have to wait for a while. I would like to go after it myself, but I can't do it as it's too far to walk at night and no chance during the day as there's too much work to be done. I ran the engine 'til 11:00 PM. It was running fine all evening.
Saturday, February 22, 1919
It's Washington's birthday. I took some pictures of getting mail across the ice. I got up this morning about half hour after breakfast was over; so I got my own breakfast this time. About 9:00 AM the fellows were planning on going on a hike up to one of the Russian forts but later thought it would be better to go after the mail. So at 9:30, five of us went in the truck as far as the ice and then hiked the rest of the way. The fellows that went are O.M. Anderson, Lieutenant Anderson, Palmer, Willouby, and myself. We got to the hospital about 11:00 AM, and there was a sack of mail waiting for us. So when we got out on the road, we sorted our mail. I got four letters from Lucy, one from Mother, and another from the medical department of the US Navy regarding the 'flu. We were certainly glad to get the mail and it was some hike back as the mail sack only weighed 70 pounds. We took turns carrying it. I had to carry it about five miles and most of the way across the ice. It was warm walking as we were making speed. We met the truck at 11:35 and were back at the station at 12:00 noon. Some were glad they got mail, sorry about the others.
Sunday, February 23, 1919
I was up at 7:15, had breakfast, and got ready to go to the hospital to meet a couple of the officers, Mr. Rodman and Mr. Hoar. We left here at 9:30 AM in the Ford, I and another fellow. Two always go together in case anything should happen to the machine. It was a very muddy ride as the snow had pretty well all melted, and everything was sloppy. We got to the hospital at about 11:00 AM, just in time to meet the boat. After meeting the officers, we went into the hospital to see how the sick people were getting along. They were all feeling pretty good. One of them wasn't expected to live, but is getting along pretty good now. After leaving the hospital we decided to take the short cut over the ice. Crossing the ice was fine until we got near the other side of lthe bay. Then we got into a soft place and the old Ford put two wheels through the ice. For a moment we thought we went through the ice, but we put full power on the Ford and managed to get out OK. I was already to jump on solid ice in case we went through it. It certainly was a narrow escape and we arrived safely at the station.
Monday, February 24, 1919
After coming back from the hospital yesterday I wrote part of a letter to Lucy. This morning I wrote for a while and finished it this afternoon. I wish that I was home so that I would not have to write to her, not that I don't like to write, for I do, but what I want is to be with her, for I am certainly lonesome for her. For a while this morning and afternoon I was working in the power house doing odd jobs and fixing up engines. I started the engine at 5:15 PM and had supper shortly afterwards. All evening I was working on storage batteries, putting new ones in commission. I also cleaned up an old storage battery from the Saturn. It had been damaged in the storm outside of Honolulu. I shut down the engine at 11:00 PM and turned in.
Tuesday, February 25, 1919
This morning I sent off a bunch of press to the USS Brooklyn which was received from Lyons, France, ands from Berlin, Germany. Thls afternoon I fixed up a booster for the receiving set. It was quite a job as there was lots of wiring to be done. After I got it working, the signals were coming in fine. We could hear Honolulu in the other room, which was sixty feet away. That is what we call strong signals. The work in the power house is progressing pretty good. They are putting in bases for the engines. It will be two months before the station is in operation.
Wednesday, February 26, 1919 (Dated picture)
I got up at the usual time of 7:15 AM. About 9:00 I sent another big bunch of press to the Brooklyn from France and Germany. It took all morning to send it. It's a tiresome job. That's about all I did this forenoon, and this afternoon I am going to stay and get some sleep as I feel none the best. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. The mail orderly went into town to get the mail if there is any. He will be back this evening. I got a couple of hours of sleep this afternoon. The mail orderly got back about 5:00 PM with no mail. So I guess I will have to wait for a while before I get more mail. I expect a bunch of it around the first of March.
Thursday, February 27, 1919
I was rather lazy this morning and didn't get up 'til 8:00 AM. After gettin up I sent a bunch of press to the Brooklyn, about fourteen pages. It took all morning to send it. This afternoon I was in the power house looking around and seeing how things were progressing. Later I wrote a letter to Mother. The operators are painting the floor in our area. It looked pretty nice after it was finishedd, but it won't last long as there is too much traffic. This evening I had all kinds of trouble with the engine. Last night one of the bearings got hot and this evening I had to take the engine all apart. It was some job, and a dirty one at that. I was in bed at midnight.
Friday, February 28, 1919
I was up at 7:00 AM and had breakfast at 7:30. This morning I did some work in the power houses and fixed up some lights for one of the officers. I had lunch at 12:10 PM and went back to work again at 1:30. I sent a bunch of press to the Brooklyn and after finishing that I went back to work in the power house. At 5:00 PM I started the engine. The first couple of hours it worked very poor. I made a few adjustments and after it got warmed up it ran fine. About 7:00 PM the mail orderly returned from town. He had a bunch of mail for us, pretty near a sackful. I received two fine letters, one from Mother and the other from my sweetheart. I wrote a letter to her at midnight.
(Today is April 17, 2013.
I'm transcribing my father's journal from 1919. He was in Vladivostok, Siberia. I went through his photographs from that time and can identify some of them with some accuracy, but I don't have the records of his numbering system. Perhaps there is information on the backs of the photos, but they would first have to be removed from the album. There is some information lightly written in the album itself. Wm. Lindsay 5/23/31)
Saturday, March 1, 1919
I was up again at the usual time. There is going to be no more sleeping late: a new order put out by the commanding officer. This is a regular nuisance as the fellows coming off the midnight watch cannot get sufficient sleep, and there is very little chance of sleeping during the day as there is too much noise around the place. Today it is all right as a bunch of the fellows have received liberty and have gone to town. All morning and afternoon I have been running the engine and charging storage batteries. This morning the old engine caught on fire. One of the gas pipes broke and the engine backfired. We had a little excitement for a few minutes. I got an extinguisher and put the fire out. There was no damage done to the engine. Also I was making distilled water for the storage batteries. I feel bum today: there's nothing the matter with me. I just feel very lonesome. How I wish I was home.
Sunday, March 2, 1919
All morning I sent press to the USS Brooklyn. I had lunch at 12:15 and had a fine dinner. This morning, one of the German prisoners came out, and all afternoon he played his violin. He played some of our latest pieces and also some others. He is a wonderful player. He could almost make the thing talk. We certainly enjoyed hearing him play. This is about the first time we have had any music. He came up to our room. I showed him some pictures that were taken in Honolulu. He enjoyed them very much. He also worked on the typewriter and is an expert on that. He said that was the first time he had worked one for five years. He also told us some of his experiences as a prisoner. They were very interesting indeed. He could speak but very little English.
Monday, March 3, 1919
I spent a few hours in the power house this morning looking around. The rest of the day I was doing odd jobs and resting. I felt kind of bum this morning, but I feel much better this evening. I was talking with one of the operators on the Brooklyn. He said a mail steamer came in this afternoon with mail from the States. lI hope I get some of it. I also found out that the USS J Thomas was due in here on Thursday morning; so there will probably be more mail on her for us. The mail orderly is going for the mail tomorrow morning. This afternoon one of the fellows took some films in for me to be developed. I'm taking a chance on their doing good work. It doesn't do the films any good to lie around; so I will have them fixed up. There was a dense fog this evening.
Tuesday, March 4, 1919
It's 2:00 AM and I just finished writing letters to Lucy and home. I just felt like writing but could think of nothing to write about. Mail is going out this morning; so I had to have a few letters on the steamer. I turned early about 2:00 AM and was up again at 7:00. I had lots of sleep--I guess not! All day I worked in the power house, doing most everything imaginable. This evening the old engine broke down about 7:00 PM, but I couldn't fix it then as I had no lights and it was too big a job. So I will have to let it go 'til morning. I'm not a bit sorry as I am going to hit the hay early and get heap much sleep. Good Night!
Wednesday, March 5, 1919
It seems as though the more sleep I get, to more I hate to get up in the morning. The fellow who invented beds certainly was a wonderful person, whoever he was, but the fellow who got the idea of getting up early--well, I would like to meet him. I bet he never saw a cold country. All morning I worked on my sick engine and finally got it fixed and running. It had a bad case of indigestion in the carburetor. The balance of the day was spent running the engine and charging storage batteries. This PM one of the fellows brought in some mail, but there was none for yours truly. There was only a few letters and quite a few papers. Most of the mail was from the islands. I worked until 11:00 PM and then went to bed for a night's sleep and to dream of my beloved Lucy.
Thursday, March 6, 1919
I crawled out of a nice warm bed at 7:00 AM. How I hate to get up in the morning! When I get home, I'm going to stay in bed for a week and sleep. All morning I was working on a stencil. I am cutting one out of brass so that I can mark my clothes. According to regulations, all our clothes are supposed to be marked, but none of mine are. In the afternoon I worked around the place doing all kinds of jobs. In the evening I distilled a bunch of alcohol for the doctors. I can't use it as it contains a lot of pepper that someone put in it so that no one can drink it.
Friday, March 7, 1919
There's thick fog this evening. It reminds me of the Richmince district. Oh yes! This is our field day; so everybody has to turn to and clean up the room. We moved everything and swabbed it out. So now everything is clean and sanitary. After finishing that job I sent a bunch of press to the USS Brooklyn. This morning the mail orderly went in for mail and returned about 5:30 with no mail for us, only a few letters from the Philippeans for a couple of the operators. I was sure that I would receive some as the USAT Thomas was in from San Francisco. Maybe next time. The mail orderly brought back my pictures that he took over Monday. They turned out pretty good, but it's rather expensive. I worked steady all day.
Saturday, March 8, 1919
I was up at 7:00 AM. There is a dense fog out, and it's pretty cold. At 7:30 it started to snow, and it's coming down thick. You can't see very far though it, and the wind is blowing very strong. By 10:00 AM there was two inches of snow on the ground. It certainly looks pretty. At 2:00 PM there is no sign of snow anyplace. All morning I was sorting pictures, dating and numbering them. This afternoon I tried to get some sleep, but it was almost impossible. The whole gang is making an awful noise, some trying to sing and the others trying to see how much noise they can make. This is sure some life. At 5:00 I started the engine and ran it until 11:00. After coming off watch I had a good bath, and I feel fine after it. I turned in at 1:30 AM.
Sunday, March 9, 1919
I was up again at 7:00 AM and had breakfast at 7:35. This is a bum day--dark and pretty cold. All day I have been writing letters. I wrote to Francis, Edward and one to Oliver B Mills. Part of the time I was fooling around, pulling off all kinds of stunts. Some of the fellows were singing, and others were trying to play musical instruments--all kinds of noise going on around the place--no chance to get any sleep if you wanted to. I would like to find a nice quiet place where I could sleep for a couple of hours--such a place as Berkeley Hills for instance would be fine--all joy (Maybe Oh Joy!). All evening I ran the engine; it's going pretty good.
Monday, March 10, 1919
I crawled out from under the hay pile at 7:00 AM, consumed a little breakfast shortly after. I sent a bunch of press to the USS Brooklyn. After finishing that job I was working on the shutter of my camera, and it was some job, as I got a drop of oil on the shutter, and it refuses to work. I had to get the oil out by evaporating it, and it was a slow job but effective. The shutter works fine now. I also fixed a piece of the shutter about a month ago. It got broken from the extreme cold. All afternoon I was working on it, cleaning off the oil and giving it a general overhauling. It needs this because it quits often. It's a very cranky engine. The lighting engine ran fine all evening and required but little attention.
Tuesday, March 11, 1919
I came to life again at 7:00 AM and was ready for a day's work, though I don't feel much like doing anything because this is Sunday in good old Frisco and I ought to be making my regular trip Sunday afternoon out to a certain young lady's house located somewheres on Geary Street. But quite a few Sundays will pass before that trip will be made. Well, I didn't do much work today, but I did try very hard to sleep this afternoon. But no can do with the exception of about half an hour, but that didn't do me much good. This evening A. M. Anderson, one of our operators got word that he was going home on the next transport leaving here, which will be in about 15 days. He sure is a lucky fellow, and all because he is married. Why didn't I get married? Good Night!
Wednesday, March 12, 1919
I was up again at 7:00 AM. This is my day for cleaning up. I have to move all the carpets, sweep out, and swab the place. It took me about an hour to finish the job. Everybody had to take their bedding out to be aired out, also their mattresses. We have to do this every week, and it's a very good thing. They have to be left out 'til late in the afternoon. The balance of the morning and afternoon I was working in the power house, doing all kinds of things such as firing engines and making parts. They have the bases for the three large engines all set and cement poured; so they will be setting up the engines pretty soon. I will be glad when everything is finished.
Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14, 1919
I was a little lazy this morning or rather sleepy; so I didn't get up 'til 7:30 AM. This morning and afternoon I was working in the power house going about the usual work. The large and small engines are all set up and on their bases. Some of the units are already in place and in about a week the small set will be in operation. This has been a day of events. This evening the civilians decided to celebrate as it was one of the men's birthday. They got hold of a bunch of booze and started to have one grand time, and most every one of them was lit up to perfection. They kept going after more booze, and about 11:00 PM they were having a hilarious time. I was going to shut down the engine, but three of them came over at 11:00 and took charge of things; so I had nothing more to do with it. Early in the evening the officers had gone to a certain part of the island, a very indecent place. They evidently consumed a considerable amount of vodka because when they came back at 8:00 PM they were feeling pretty good. In fact so good that they could hardly walk. Whatever it was they were doing was certainly not officerlike. Later on, the commanding officer came in and wanted to know why the lighting engine was still running. I explained as best I could, but he was not going to understand it. He bestowed upon me some very nice words of profanity and ordered me to shut down the engine. I did so, but the civilians started to roast me. I explained things to them, but they said they were going to start it up again. I told them it made no difference to me. They didn't do it though. They didn't have enough nerve amongst them. The celebration lasted 'til about 2:00 or 3:00 AM. Then it quieted down. The next morning there was a pretty sick gang at the breakfast table. Some did not appear at all, and others kept at the celebration. At 9:30 AM the commanding officer called me on the carpet and asked if I had anything to say for myself. I asked him to explain exactly what he meant, and he said that I was up for disobedience. He said that I had disobeyed his orders in regards to shutting down the engine at 11:00 PM. I told him again that I was prevented from doing so. He claimed that was no excuse. So he have me 15 hours extra duty, such as hauling bricks in an Irish automobile, which is a wheelbarrow. I thanked him for it and walked out. He was very crabby and still under the influence of vodka. This afternoon I worked off 2 and a half hours of the extra duty hauling bricks. The gang is still feeling pretty good, although some are still sick. One of the officers congratulated our bunch for not being mixed up in the mess. Lucy's birthday card and some presents I received came in. I was certainly glad that she is in good old California and not in this place--if one can call it a place.
Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, 1919
I was up again at 7:00 AM and all morning I worked in the power house I had chow at noon. This afternoon I worked off 2 and 1/2 more hours; so now I have just ten hours left. I spent most of the time just loafing; then I was told to fix the railroad. I did all right. I drove a couple of spikes in a tie and then rested for half an hour. Then I drove a few more and went through the same process again. I am not going to do any more work than necessary, for I think the less you do the more thanks you get--at least that's the way it goes with the other fellows. But I much prefer to be kept busy as that is a fine way to pass the days quickly, and goodness knows I want them to pass quickly. The sooner my time is up, the better it will suit me. I sure want to get out of this place. It is getting to be a regular drag, and I'm getting to be very ornery, also somewhat disgusted. At 5:00 PM I received two letters, one from Lucy and very nice letter, and one from Brother Francis. He is at a place called Spasskoe, (The closest I could get to this name is Spassk-Dal'nil) which is about 200 miles inland. It's a twelve hour ride from Vladivostok. He said he couldn't got off to come down here; so I think I will try and get a week off and go up to see him. I started the engine at 6:00 PM, and it ran fine all evening until shutdown at 11:00. I had water on for a bath and was just ready to jump in when we received a telephone call from the commanding officer to send the Ford in to meet him. We told him that the Ford wasn't here. So he asked if I would bring the truck in to meet them. I told him I thought I could. I tried to start the thing, but a small plug in the radiator was missing. I made a wooden one and was about to start the engine when the Ford came in. So I took the Ford instead. Ahern came along with me to hold the light as there is no light on the machine. It was some ride, and a rough one. It's a good thing it was a moonlit night or else I sure would be out of luck. We arrived at Port Nazier (This name became Podnosia at times. On a map of Russky Island there is a Podnozhye) at 12:45 AM and met the party at the telephone exchange. There was the commanding officer and another army officer and two others in the party. They were feeling pretty good. We arrived at the station at 1:30 AM. The commanding officer told me that my restrictions were lifted and to say nothing of what I saw and that I would lose nothing by it. I am certainly glad I had made the trip as it was worth it. We now can have an understanding with him. I went to bed at 1:42 AM and was called up at 6:40 and was told to get the machine ready for a trip at once. I left the station at 7:30 AM with the Army officer alone and took him to the hospital where he had to report. We went over the ice on the two trips. I had traveled about 50 miles. About 10:00 the commanding officer and a party of two returned to some place I don't know where as I didn't drive the machine. Someone else took it. In the afternoon, Mark, R.W. Anderson, L.V., and I took a walk up to the big guns, and they sure have some big guns. We had our pictures taken and had a little snooze. I started the engine at 6:00 PM. At 10:00 the commanding officer returned to the station.
`
Monday, March 17, 1919
I didn't get up 'til 9:30 as I was feeling pretty bum. I had the cramps, a cold, and feeling pretty bad in general. I wouldn't have gotten up when I did but the doctor gave me something; so I had to get up. He told me to stay inside and in bed as much as possible. The whole trouble is caused by lack of sleep, the excitement going around, and most everything in general. The only thing I need is a ticket on some boat bound for California. Then everything would be fine. This is some day--cold and the wind's blowing a gale, a fine day to stay inside. All afternoon I wrote to Lucy as I am doing no work today. So the time is all my own. In the evening I will have to run the engine as there is no one to take my place. One of the civilians who had been spending two days in town returned. He told us about some of the sights he had seen. In the outskirts of the town, in a vacant lot, there were dead people piled high, one on top of the other. He said there were several hundred bodies and that it was an awful sight. They are having trouble in town every once in a while. They have to bring out the machine guns every once in a while. So I'm going to keep away from the place.
Tuesday, March 18, 1919 (See my notes on this page regarding the USS Brooklyn, where to get information)
I was up at 7:15 AM and had chow at 7:30. All morning I was working inside doing odd jobs. This afternoon I was working in the power house, cleaning the engine and putting it in good condition. I spoke to one of the officers regarding getting a furlough to go into the interior to see my Brother Francis. He said I could have it; so I guess I will get about a week off around the first of next month. A new operator arrived at the station about 3:00 PM to relieve Anderson who is going home on the next transport. The new guy's name is Stevenson. I have been appointed Master at Arms of the station. This is in addition to my regular duties. This is about the same as being a policeman. Some job! I have to see that all the quarters are kept clean. After shutting down the engine I wrote a few more lines to Lucy and went to bed at midnight.
Wednesday, March 19, 1919
I was up again at 7:15 AM. This morning I was working in the power house doing different kinds of jobs. This afternoon I did but very little work, spending most of my time in writing to my sweetheart. I certainly like to write to her, but it's pretty hard to find anything to write about. I wish I could be with her; then we wouldn't have to write. And lately the mail service has been very poor. At 6:00 PM I started the engine agoing and shut down at 11:00. I went to bed at midnight. Good Night!
Thursday, March 20, 1919
I was up at 7:10 AM and had breakfast at 7:30. I spent this forenoon in the power house. I didn't do any work, just looking around and passing the time away. At noon the mail orderly went in for the mail. I sent in two letters with him, one to Mother and the other to Lucy. This afternoon I did nothing but sleep. They moved my engine from the old place to the permanent base. They're having quite a time with the engine; so I guess I won't have to work this evening. l'm glad to get the vacation. After supper the whole gang was very happy. They were singing and going through all kinds of capers. This was caused by the great amount of mail that is to come around 9:00 PM. The orderly called us up and there was a full sack for us. At 11:30 the mail arrived and all letters were read. I was treated very good. I received a package from Mrs. Steele, a letter from Lucy, a very nice one, and two from Mother. There was a post card from Dick Johnson, the operator at Wellcrest station. The letters were all good ones, and I sure enjoyed reading them. More mail came in this afternoon, but we won't get it 'til Saturday.
Friday, March 21, 1919
I was out of the hay pile again at 7:15 AM. I would like to have been able to sleep late this morning as I feel very bum. For a while this morning I worked in the power house, but didn't do very much work, as I'm feeling pretty punk. At noon time I couldn't eat anything. All afternoon I stayed in bed. I feel worse than the last rose of summer. I got up about 5:00 and tried to eat some supper, but no could do. Nothing tastes good. At 6:00 I started the engine and at 7:00 I had to have a relief as I feel worse than ever. I can hardly stand up. I went to bed shortly after and did some tall suffering. I would like to have wrltten some letters, but I couldn't do it. When I feel like this I want to be home.
Saturday, March 22, 1919
I got up this ;morning and ate a little breakfast, but not much, as I have a very funny feeling in my stomach. It sure is on the bum. All morning I stayed in the power house, just loafing around. At noontime I felt much better and was able to eat a pretty good meal. This afternoon the doctor and I went down to the pumping house to fumigate a room where a Russian fellow had been sleeping. He was taken to the hospital with pneumonia. The balance of the afternoon was spent in work, and I did quite a bit. At 4:00 PM I quit and wrote out an application for a furlough, which was granted, to visit my brother at Spasskuke. I'm going to leave here on the 2nd of next month. I tried to write a letter to Edna Bingham but had no success; so I had to give it up. I'll write some other time. I started the engine at 6:00 PM and went to bed at 1:00 AM. I'm feeling fine. Gudnite.
Sunday, March 23, 1919
It's Sunday morning and I got up at 7:15, and how I wish I could have stayed in bed as it is cold and I'm still sleepy. All morning I stayed inside and wrote a leltter to Miss Edna Bingham, Lucy's cousin. Shortly after, I had dinner. After dinner we all had our pictures taken, all of the enlisted men, sailors and soldiers. Then they took the civilians. We had planned on going on an exploring expedition this afternoon, but had to postpone it on account of it being too cold. So all afternoon I tried to find a warm place but could find none. Our rooms are like a regular ice box. They don't give us any steam heat during the day, only at night, and we don't need it then. I wanted to write a letter to Lucy but couldn't get my mind down to it: there's too much to worry about. I slept about an hour this PM, this being the only way to keep warm. At 6:00 PM I tried to start the engine. I had considerable trouble but finally got the blamed thing to run. One of our chief operators, one of the smart guys, started to monkey with one of the rheostats and got too much juice on the line. One of the light bulbs blew up and filled my eyes with glass. The doctor took out one piece a quarter of an inch long. It sure did hurt. He and I had something of a scrap. I told him to get the hell out of here and to mind his own business.
Monday and Tuesday, March 24 and 25, 1919
I crawled from between the blankets at 7:15 AM--and how I hate to get up these cool mornings. It's raining hard this morning, our first rain this season. At 8:00 I went to work in the power house. I and two other civilian fellows started to take down the lighting engine and repair it, and it sure needs it. We put in new parts and had to make some parts that we did not have in stock. I worked 'til noon and then had chow. At 1:00 PM I went back to work on the engine. We were putting it together when I was called upon to do another job, and this job I disliked very much as it meant climbing to the top of the tower to repair the antenna. I started up the tower at 2:30 and got to the top about 5 minutes before 3:00. It is a hard old climb, and it exercises every muscle in the body. I was on top of the tower for about an hour and it was pouring down rain and snow, and there was a gale of wind ablowing. I was nearly frozen stiff. It took me just 7 minutes to come down; that's the easiest part of the job. After coming down I changed my clothes as they were soaking wet. I went back to the power house and they had the engine almost finished. I worked 'til 6:00, and then I was relieved for supper. Then I went back to the engine because it had to be watched closely after getting so many new parts. I heard about my request for a furlough: they said it wasn't safe for men in uniform to go into the interior on trains as the bolshevicks are raising the devil all along the line. The other night in Vladivostok, a lieutenant from the USS Brooklyn was robbed and beat up by the bolshevicks. They took his clothes from him, and he had to return to the ship in his BVDs. That's the kind of people we have over here. After quitting at 1:00 PM I wrote a letter to Lucy and one to Mother. I got finished writing at 3:30 and then went to bed. The mail left this morning so I had to have a few letters on the way. I got up again at 7:15 AM and had breakfast. I went over to the power house for about an hour. They are putting the finishing touch on the engine. I came back to the quarters and went to bed, staying until 3:30. I got a lot of sleep and plenty of rest. This is the only way I can get a day off: going to bed. They called me a few times, but I didn't pay any attention to them. So I guess I wasn't very important to them. After I got up I went over to the power house but did no work. They were still working on the engine. Friday we are going to have an admiral's inspection. So I guess it's up to me to see that our quarters are in good condition. The admiral is coming from the USS Brooklyn and he is going to inspect the whole station. The USS Albany arrived in port Sunday about 10;00 AM. The USS New Orleans is going on a cruising trip. From 5:00 to 11:00 PM I was cleaning the engine. It has been snowing hard all day, and the wind is blowing a gale. It is also very cold. I'm retired with no mail from the mail orderly.
Wednesday, March 26, 1919
It's 12:45 AM, and I have been writing in the diary, bringing it up to date. I was a day behind. I will be in bed at 7:00 AM. My sweetheart is just getting up about his time as it's a little after 7:00 AM in San Francisco. It's now 11:45 PM, and I just shut down the engine; so the day's work is over. I didn't do very much today. I worked for a few hours in the power house. The rest of the forenoon I just loafed around the power house . In the afternoon I wrote a letter to Mrs. Steele and should have written much sooner, but I didn't have the chance. The rest of the fellows are outside hauling coal, and it sure is hard work. It's a wonder they haven't got me out there. They had to load about 10 tons of coal. That meant about five truck loads. I think I have to go over to town Friday some time to get some distilled water for the batteries. We have been making the water ourselves, but our distiller has gone on the bum; so we have to buy some. This will be my first trip around this town, and I hope it's the last. As yet I am not completely sure I am going.
Thursday,. March 27, 1919
I didn't go to bed until 2:30 AM. One of the operators wanted me to stand his trick for a couple of hours as he was pretty sleepy. While I was supposed to be on watch I wrote a letter to Lucy on the typewriter. I had nothing else to do as I couldn't copy press from the German station. I got up at 7:15 and cleaned out our quarters as the admiral is expected to make an inspection tomorrow. He is coming to inspect the station and personnel. This afternoon one of the English trucks brought out our sixty horsepower engine. This engine is for the small transmitting set. Our large truck is out of commission and the small truck couldn't carry the load. I started the lighting up at 6:00 PM and ran the engine 'til 11:00 PM. Then I went to bed for a little sleep--good and tired.
Friday, March 28, 1919
I was up at 7:15 AM as usual. All morning I was working around our quarters getting ready for the admiral. About 11:00 AM I got word that the admiral and his party won't be out 'til tomorrow. This means more work for us in the morning. This afternoon I went for a little walk around the station grounds. The riggers are fixing the antenna. They have it almost finished and I guess they will hoist it up in the morning. It is 400 feet long and made of five wires. The sixty horsepower engine was also set on its base and will be running sometime next weak. It won't be long before we are able to communicate with the outside world. But I wish I could get on the outside world as I sure am getting sick and tired of this place. I want to get back amongst real people instead of being around wild animals such as we have here. I am getting wild myself. Some life.
Saturday, March 29, 1919
I was up again at the usual hour and had breakfast. Then I started to clean up the quarters for the admiral and his party. He will be here some time this forenoon. We all have to be in dress uniform. The admiral arrived at noon and went through our quarters a little after noon. He complimented us on having such a clean quarters. The party consisted of the admiral, a captain, a lieutenant commander, and an ensign and our station force. The party stayed 'til 2:45 PM and then departed for the return trip. This forenoon they got the antenna hoisted. It looks pretty good in its place. This evening they were receiving from the new antenna. They heard stations all over Japan and Russia. I tried to start the engine at 6:00 PM, but had lots of trouble and couldn't get the thing to run until about 9:00. Part of it was busted and had to be fixed. It was some job, and enough to make anyone cuss, but I didn't--even though I did smash a couple of fingers.
Sunday, March 30, 1919 (See my notes to get information on ships)
I was up at 7:15 AM It is getting tiresome getting up this time every morning, and there is no reason for it. They say it is regulation to get up at this time, but I think it is nothing but foolishness on the part of the commanding officer. I would be a happy fellow if I could get out of the service and be able to return to the civil life. This morning the mail orderly went to town to get the mail, and there is supposed to be a lot there. I hope so. All afternoon I spent in sleeping and I sure need it, as I have been on the go all the time. This is my evening off. One of the chief operators is standing a watch now. I am on every other night. They put him in charge, and he has never run an engine before. This certainly is a rotten trick to pull off. But my day is coming. Mail came in at 8:30 PM. I received a lovely letter from Lucy and was indeed glad to hear from her. I also received a package from home with many nice things enclosed.
Monday, March 31, 1919
I went to work this morning at 8:00 AM and from the looks of things it's going to be a real day's work. Part of the forenoon was spent in the power house making shades for electric lights and making them out of tin, but I didn't get to finish the job as we are moving from our quarters to a larger and much nicer room. So I had to lend a hand. We finished the job at noon and had lunch. Then I laid down 'til 1:00 PM and then went back to work. This afternoon I was working on the engine, making a few repairs. After finishing that I went to work on a distiller for our storage batteries. That took up the balance of the afternoon. I had supper at 5:30 and at 6:00 I started the engine up. I shut it down at 11:00. O.M. Anderson received his orders to pack up and be ready to leave on the noon boat for further transfer to the USAT Logan, which is going to take him home, this lucky fellow. And how I wish I could go along with him, but no such luck for this fellow. In the morning the mail orderly is going in to get the mail if there is any. I hope there will be some as I am expecting some films from home. I am missing lots of good pictures by not having the film. Good night!
Tuesday, April 1, 1919
Well, it's April Fool's Day, and I wonder how many jokes will be played today. This morning at 9:15 we were all called out for muster. It was about our pay accounts. They had to make them all over again; so I guess we will be paid this evening some time. O.M. Anderson received his orders to pack up and report on board the transport Logan. He is on his way home, the lucky fellow. The Logan sailed this morning or will tomorrow morning. I wish I was going with him. He certainly was a happy fellow. All day I worked on different kinds of jobs--soldering, making shades and reflectors, and lots of other things. I received a post card this morning from George Larson, an old friend of mine. He is at Kobe, Japan. I don't know how he got my address, but he has it all aright. I wrote a letter home this evening. I would like to have written a letter to Lucy, but I didn't have the time tonight. Tomorrow I hope I will have the time as I sure like to write to her. It's time to go to bed now. So Good Night everybody.
Wednesday, April 2, 1919
All morning I worked outside, stringing lights around the buildings. This afternoon I did the same thing part of the time, and the balance of the time was spent on the engine and doing other odd jobs. Work at the station is progressing pretty good. The three engines are all set up. One is in operation, and the other two will go in operation about the first of this week. The big engine won't be ready for about a month. All the water tanks were set up this afternoon. They are for the cooling system for the engines. The USS Brooklyn sailed today for other waters, and the USS Albany took her place. I worked tonight from 6:00 to 11:00 PM on the engine. It was pretty cold in the power house this evening.
Thursday, April 3, 1919
As usual I got up at 7:15. All morning I was putting up lights in the commanding officer's room. This afternoon at 1:00 PM the doctor and I started out for a hike. We crossed all kinds of creeks, some still frozen over. We ran into three deep snow drifts and some dense forests. We went through many forts, trenches, machine gun posts and other military defenses. We walked along the shores of the Paufer (?) for a few miles, then started out for home, arriving at 5:00 PM very much tired. We had hiked for about ten or fifteen miles. It was a very interesting hike, and I saw many new things. This evening I finished a letter to Lucy. It's snowing hard. About 6 inches of snow this time. It's just 10:30 PM; so that is the time for me to retire. Good Night! I'm kind of sleepy.
Friday, April 4, 1919
All morning I did no work and only loafed around. It's still snowing hard, and there are about 2 feet piled up in places. A bunch of the fellows went out and had a snow fight, I Included. We had a fine time. At noon time all the civilian working party was out having a snow fight. They sure had lots of fun. They rolled some of the fellows in the snow, and they certainly were a sight. At 5:00 PM, the sun came out bright, and everything looks wonderful. The snow has stopped falling. For some reason or other I feel very lonesome and hardly know what to do with myself. I wish I could get back to good old Frisco and my little girl. Probably some day I will. Let's hope so. I wrote a short letter to George Larson at Kobe, Japan. The mail orderly went to town this morning; so I am in hopes of getting some mail from home and Lucy. By 8:00 PM the mail arrived, and I received two letters--one from home and one from Lucy. I was very glad to hear from them.
Sataurday, April 5, 1919
After going off watch at 11:00 PM I wrote a letter to Cousin Margarita and went to bed. I was up again at 7:15. All morning I worked in the power house. I worked on the engine for a while and then did some paper work. Work is going along fine in the power house. They are putting in all the exhaust pipes and the water system. They expect to have the other engine running about next Wednesday. All afternoon I did nothing but try to sleep, but I had very little success. I slept a little, but not enough. This evening some of the officers went to get my films so that they could print some pictures off of them for the official report. They didn't have much paper or else I would have had some made for myself. I went to bed at midnight.
Sunday, April 6, 1919
I was up at 7:15 as usual, and how I hated to get up. I didn't do very much all morning, except for sending a little press to the USS Albany. The Albany has taken the place of the USS Brooklyn, which has gone to the tropics. The Flag also went with her. This afternoon I wrote a few lines to Mother and then laid down for a little sleep, but didn't get very much. For some reason or other I couldn't sleep. Gee, I wish I could get home where everything is fine. This is an awful place. Tomorrow morning I have to go into town to get a few things for the station and also a few things for myself. I went on watch at 6:00 PM and ran the engine 'til 11:00. After coming off watch I wrote a letter to Lucy, the sweetest girl of all.
Monday, April 7, 1919
I went to bed at 1:00 AM and got up again at 5:20. At 6:15 AM, we started out, Ware and I. We got to the ferry about 7:20, and it sure was some hike. The roads were full of mud. It was raining and foggy. When we got there we found out that it was a Russian holiday and that the boat wouldn't arrive 'til 8:00. We arrived in Vladivostok about 10:00. When we got on the dock, there was a big Russian fellow beating up on about half a dozen Chinese fellows. He certainly was a mean fellow. We went up to the YMCA for a awhile and then went up town to get a little chow as the breakfast we had was a scant one. We feasted on tea and Russian pastry which was very good--but expensive. Later we met another fellow; so the three of us went up to a place and had our pictures taken. Then we went down to the Canadian YMCA and had some regular chow. After leaving there we went up to the Expeditionary Building. I sent a telegram to Brother Francis and received an answer an hour later. Then we rode a truck to the Army base, five miles from town. I finished what work I had to do there and then bought some supplies--tobacco, soap, etc. We walked back to town, stopping at the American Counsel for mail--butr none there. We talked to soldiers for a while and then went to the YMCA. We spent the rest of the time there. I saw a movie and part of a newsreel. I had to leave there at 8:45 PM to catch the 9:00 boat. We landed at Russiky Island about 11:00 PM and then hiked back to the station. It took us 50 minutes with the roads in better condition as it was below the freezing point. I went to bed a little after midnight, good and tired.
Tuesday, April 8, 1919
I was out of the hay pile at 7:15, but I was good and tired from yesterday's long day and the hiking. Now, about the town of Vladivostok: it could be a pretty good city if it weren't so dirty, almost filthy. It's no wonder that they have so much disease in the place. While we were there, it was cold and foggy all the time. At the YMCA we enjoyed the movies and the show very much. We didn't see all of the show as we had to leave for home. All morning, back at the station, I worked in the power house. At 11:00 AM I got orders to get the Ford ready to take officers to town. I left the station at noon and arrived there just in time to catch the boat. I left the Ford on the dock and went to the hospital via the ferry. I had to get some gasoline, for the engines were all out of it as the trucks were all broke down. I got ten gallons and came back on the next boat. After I arrived, I got the Ford running after a little trouble with the thing. I got back to the station at 6:00 PM, had chow, and then started the engines up. I ran them as usual until 11:00 and then went to bed, very much tired out. This running around sure tires one out quicker than anything else. When the station is finished, we won't have to do this. No mail today.
Wednesday, April 9, 1919
I'm up and ready for another day's work. All morning I worked in the power house, firing up the engines and other jobs. We expected to have one of the other engines running today, but on account of the trucks being out of commission it delays things, as they have no other means for transportation. One truck will be running tomorrow--the other not for a few weeks. This afternoon I did nothing, just trying to sleep. This evening I had to work on the Ford, and after finishing that I had to start the lighting engine for the other fellow. This was to be my night off. We had a hard time starting the engine--the wind was blowing a gale tonight. It's blowing, throwing boards all around. Windows and doors are slamming. It's a regular stormy night. At 10:00 it's time for bed. So Good Night, all. Xs to you, Lucy.
Thursday, April 10, 1919
Good morning! The snow is still with us--also the storm. It's blowing as hard as ever. Part of the roof on the power house was blown away. These are what they call light winds in Siberia. We all had to go outside this morning to help some men who were stuck in the mud. It was some job, but we got them out all right. After dinner it started to snow heavier than ever. A bunch of the operators, including myself, went outside and had our picture taken. I hope they turn out good as it was some sight. The rest of the afternoon was spent in sleep. This evening the whole gang is making up a paper. They are putting something in it about how everyone acts at the station. If they keep it up, they will have some paper. I wrote a letter to my sweetheart, and how I would like to give it to her myself instead of having to send it thousands of miles to her. Probably some day I will get out of this place.
Friday, April 11, 1919
I'm up this morning, and the storm is still with us, but not quite so strong. It's still blowing hard and snowing a little. This morning I got real ambitious and cleaned the windows on my side of the room and this being a field day helped them to clean up the room. We moved everything , soaped, and then swabbed it out. After we got finished, everything looked pretty nice. This afternoon I shaved, first time in a week. Then I had a little sleep. At noon the mail orderly went after the mail; so I am in hopes of getting at least a few packages. At 10:00 PM no mail has showed up; so I will got to bed and wait for it there. I'm getting kind of sleepy.
Saturday, April 12, 1919
At 12:30 AM the mail came at last. I received three letters--one from a photo concern in Japan, one from Mrs. Steele, and the other from Lucy and her sister Marya. I certainly was glad to get the mail--also the pictures that were enclosed. This morning everybody had to go out and saw wood for the cooks. They have run out of coal on account of the trucks being out of commission. While we were sawing wood, one of the fellows took our pictures. The rest of the day was spent in rest and writing a letter to Mary Steele. After supper everyone just laid around. I was going to write a letter to Lucy, but my leg was bothering me so much that I could do nothing. I guess I will have to go to the hospital after all. They told me I would have to have my leg bone scraped. Some life!
Sunday, April 13, 1919 (See two dated pictures)
This morning as usual I was up bright and early. All forenoon I did nothing but lay around and take things easy. This is all we have to do on Sundays. After dinner I and three other fellows went on a kike. We walked up into the hills and came back by way of a creek that was frozen over. It was very nice walking over the ice and the air was pretty warm. This was the first time we had gone hiking without our overcoats. The grass has just begun to sprout, and the trees also. This is the first sign of spring. This evening I wrote a letter to Lucy. I feel very lonesome for her tonight. It's close to midnight; so I guess I will go to bed. Goodnight!
Monday, April 14, 1919
This is a regular blue Monday, dark and cloudy and fog over the hills. All morning I was checking coal as the Russians were hauling it here. They were hauling it from the pile around the point. That's one thing we have lots of--and that's coal. All afternoon I was also checking coal. This evening I went over to start the lighting engine. They have all the water system installed. Just before I started the engine, I spotted a leak in the water jacket of the exhaust manifold. We changed the water connections and then started to turn the engine over. It made about four revolutions, and then it blew up, completely wrecking the engine. There was hardly a part that wasn't broken. They tried to put the blame on me, but I'm going to get out of it all right. The accident was caused by water getting into one of the cylinders. I had to write a letter to the commanding officer, telling him how it happened. This evening I received two very welcome letters--one from Father and another from Mother and Lillian. I wrote a short letter to them, but willl write a longer letter later on.
Tuesday, April 15, 1919
This forenoon I was doing little odd jobs in the power house--fixing batteries and other jobs. This afternoon I was doing the same thing. About 4:30 PM they started one of the large engines for the first time. They had quite a time starting the engine on account of it being stiff and not running for a long time. But after they got it going, it sure did run fine. So far this is the best running piece of machinery we have in the place. I worked around the engine 'til about six PM, and then we shut it down and had chow. About 6:00 the mail came in. I received a very nice letter from Lucy, also a package of candy which was greatly appreciated. I also received a letter from home. I am behind in my correspondence. There's too much work these days. About 7:00 PM I received word that all of the operators will have to stand guard duty. My watch is from 10:00 PM to midnight. This is some watch! We all have to carry guns. They are afraid that the Japanese or the bolshevicks are starting something. When I came off watch, I was sure ready for the hay pile. G.N.
Wednesday, April 16, 1919
I was up again at 7:15 for another day of hard craft. At 8:00 I went to work in the power house, doing the same work as yesterday. At 10:00 everybody was mustered out for Swedish exercises. They must think that we don't get enough exercise as it is. I don't mind it as it will do me some good. We got half an hour of it, and when I was finished I think that every muscle in my body ached for about an hour. After that we were called up to our quarters to quite a drilling on regulations. They tried to show us the advantage of staying in the Navy. They said we made more money in the Navy than we would on the outside and didn't have so much to do. I disagreed with him, and we had a hot argument. I told him the Navy was no place for a person who wanted to get along and ahead in this world. He couldn't see it that way. Every one of the gobs are very anxious to be released from service. This evening a truckload of provisions arrived about a mile from the station and a guard had to be placed over them. I was the goat again tonight. I went on at 10:00 and off again at midnight. It certainly is lonely work, standing out in the wind. Also, it was cold, but I was well dressed for the occasion. I went to bed about 1:00 AM.
Thursday, April 17, 1919
Another day of grind is over, and it sure was a humdinger. All day I worked in the power house except for a half hour--and that was spent on the Swedish exercises. The bunch sure doesn't like this idea of getting out there and drilling, and I don't blame them as we have too much work as it is and it's not easy work. We had the big engine going pretty near all day. They are making tests with the arc (I think this is part of the transmitter). It takes them most of the day to make it work. One of these days they'll make it work right. Something has to be changed. This has been a pretty nice day, warm but rather hazy. This evening a barge with all the station's equipment arrived at the wharf about a half mile from the station. We had quite a time getting it all here over the ice which is still about 18 inches thick. The whole gang had to get out and haul all the provisions up on small flat cars. There were only two long sleds and 15 fellows to do the work, and they say we still need the Swedish exercises. I have to hit the hay now as I am going on guard duty at midnight 'til 5:00 AM, and I still have to get up at 7:15.
Friday, April 18, 1919
It's 9:00 PM, and I'm all ready for the hay pile after a very hard day of work. This morning from midnight to 2:00 AM I was on sentry watch, and it was a cold one. A brisk breeze was blowing. I sure hated to get up at that time, especially when you had to get up again at 7:15 AM. This was our field day; so I helped clean up our quarters. l was on that job until about 10:00 AM, and then I worked in the power house 'til noon. I was working in the afternoon in the power house on the storage batteries. They will be using them for a few days when the main set goes into operation. This afternoon I had a real job. I and five other fellows were hauling station equipment from the barge up to the station. We used small flat cars. Each car was loaded with about 1000 pounds, and from the wharf to the station it's all uphill. It sure was a hard pull. I am so stiff that I can hardly move around. I was going to write home and to Lucy, but I am too tired to do justice to a letter to them. The mail orderly went to get mail today, but there was none. R. W. Ware, PhM3, received his accounts; so he goes home on the next transport.
Saturday, April 19, 1919
Another day of hard labor is over. I sure did a real day's work, as did the other fellows. From 8:00 AM 'til 4:00 PM we were hauling lumber and coal. Most of the afternoon I was in the barge, passing out sacks of coal. There were two of us on this job. Anderson, LD, and myself. That was the hard graft. We had to lift the sacks about three feet and throw them on the deck of the barge. Each sack only weighs from 135 to 185 pounds. We were doing this for about three hours steady, and it sure is hard and heavy work. Towards the last we had a scrap with the civilians. They wanted us to throw out coal for them also. So when they started that, we quit work. Then they had to do it all themselves. Most of these fellows are getting from five to eight dollars a day, and the enlisted fellows are only getting two dollars a day, most of them less than that. I couldn't see where it was fair to have to work along with those fellows, especially under the existing circumstances. This evening from 6:00 to !1:00 I was running the big engine on the new machine. This was first time I started the instrument. They were listening all evening on the radio but didn't get to work anyone.
Sunday, April 20, 1919
It's Easter Sunday. I was up at 7:15. Before going to bed this morning at 1:00 AM I had a real bath, the first good bath since leaving Honolulu. Yesterday afternoon they got the shower baths installed, and before going to bed I got the full benefit of it. I certainly did enjoy getting under a shower once more. Before we had to take our bath in a small hut or use a bucket, which is entirely unsatisfactory as I like to have lots of water to splash up. After having breakfast this morning, I was walking around outside taking life easy as it was a very nice morning and fairly warm. I and a bunch of the other operators had our pictures taken and if the picture turns out good it will show just how we felt. Some were dressed up and others had on almost anything. About 11:00 AM a bunch of German and Austrian prisoners, also a few American soldiers came out and had dinner with us. They certainly enjoyed it. They all said it was the best meal they had had for some time. After dinner more pictures were taken. They returned to their camp about 8:00 PM. Just before dinner, the officers that were there turned on the engine for the radio, but it was on the bum and blew out one of the cylinders. They won't be able to use that engine for a while. It's lucky that we have an extra cylinder to put in. This afternoon I and some of the fellows went for a hike in the hills. It was a fine day for hiking. In this evening I am going to write to Lucy.
Monday, April 21, 1919
I was up at 7:15 AM and I went to work in the power house at 8:00, working until noon on storage batteries. About 10:00 AM I got burned bad by acid. My little finger is full of acid holes. It's very painful, but accidents do happen. For a while this afternoon I worked on the storage batteries, and the rest of the time I was running the 60 horsepower engine. At 5:30 PM I was returning for chow. At 6:00 I was back to work. I kept the engine going 'til 11:30 and then shut it down. So far they have been unable to raise anyone on the radio. They are doing more testing than anything else. I went to bed at 11:30.
Tuesday, April 22, 1919
I came back to earth at 7:15 AM after a fine sleep. But I didn't get enough of it. I would like to have had about ten hours more. I did no work this morning. They told me I would have this morning off. I was very glad to get off, as I wanted to write a letter to Lucy. I wrote a few pages before chow, and in the afternoon I and four other fellows had to go out in the pouring rain to get three drums of distillate. After I finished that job, I wrote a few more pages to Lucy and then laid down for a little snooze. I didn't get very much sleep, but what I did get was better than nothing. I went to work at 5:50 PM and worked until a little after midnight. Now I go to bed.
Wednesday, April 23, 1919
This morning we only had Swedish exercises for about fifteen minutes, and after that we were finished. They told us that it was going to be discontinued for a while, and I am not the least bit sorry. From 10:30 to 11:30 AM we had code practice. We have this just to keep us from getting stale. This morning the mail orderly went into town for mail. I didn't know he was going 'til I got up this morning and found him gone. I would like to have had a letter on the way to Lucy, but it couldn't be helped. This evening about 6:00 I received two letters--one from Lucy and one from Aunt Myrtle. She said in her letter that my folks had moved to the ranch (Morgan Hill!), but so far I haven't heard from the folks. This evening I was working on the engine from 5:30 to 11:00. Bed at midnight.
Thursday, April 24, 1919
I was up at 7:15 AM and worked in the power house all forenoon, still working on storage batteries. I wish I had these things finished; I am tired of working on them. Pretty near all day the engine was running. We have been working with Cavite. We sent the first radiograms today to Cavite. He said that our signals were loud and clear. I don't think we will have any trouble working with him around the middle of the day, but I'm doubtful that we can work with him at any other time. This evening I was running the engine again. We were charging a bunch of storage batteries for the receiving sets. This sure is a complicated bunch of junk they are putting into this station. It's enough to get anyone's goat. I shut down at 11:00 PM and went to bed. G.N.
Friday, April 25, 1919
I was up again at 7:15. I wish the time would come so that I wouldn't have to get up at this time. This regulation stuff is a nuisance. I didn't do very much work this forenoon. I was running the engine for a while. About five British officers came out to inspect the station. They didn't seem to understand very much about the system. I don't blame them as it sure is a dandy. Most all afternoon I was setting up the large storage batteries. It sure is heavy work as each case weighs about two hundred pounds. One of them fell on my arm and put me out of commission for the rest of the afternoon. This evening I was helping to hook up the 60 horsepower engine. One of its cylinders went on the bum. I couldn't finish the job because it got too dark. So we knocked off work 'till tomorrow. I went to bed at 10:00.
Saturday, April 26, 1919
After breakfast I resumed work on the sixty horsepower engine, finishing the job about 10:00 AM. From then 'til noon I was soldering joints on the gasoline lines to the engine. I had to do this an account of all the joints leaking. All afternoon I was running the backup engine. They have been sending a bunch of messages to Cavite. He seems to get us pretty good. He said our signals are strong and clear. The station is beginning to look pretty good and it will soon be completed. They are rushing things along so that they can get the next transport home. I wish I was going along with them, but no such luck for this fellow. We have the smaller lighting engine running. This is the first evening. I worked from 6:00 PM 'til 11:00.
Sunday, April 27, 1919
This is a fine spring morning; so after breakfast Ware and I took a stroll along the beach of Ruskie Island. There was quite a bit of ice on the shore that had formed during the night. We walked for a couple of miles along the shore. Then we came back over the hills. On the way back we picked quite a few violets, the first flower of spring in Siberia. They reminded me of home very much. After dinner I had to work on one of the engines. I had to change the timing. After finishing that job, I had a good bath, and I feel fine. This afternoon it was dark and cloudy, but it has been one of our warmest days with the temperature at 50 degrees above zero. I had a little sleep this afternoon. I was too tired to write anything, but I have hope of having time tomorrow. From 6:00 PM to 10:00 I was running the lighting engine. I had to stop early on account of the engine getting hot.
Monday, April 28, 1919
I was up again at 7:15, but all morning I did no work. I did nothing but sleep. I don't know how they came to let me off. It sure is a wonder. This afternoon I worked 'til about 3:00. Then they told me to knock off as I would probably have to work this evening. They seem to be getting pretty good all of a sudden. They have been testing the engines and the radio all afternoon and have been keeping me on the jump all the time. All afternoon I wrote a letter home, but I didn't get a chance to finish it as the supper bell rang. So I had to go to chow, and after that I went to work. I kept the big engine going 'til 10:30 PM and then shut it down. I had to stay up 'til midnight as I was breaking a fellow in on the lighting engine. After this he will have to run the engine every night. I was in bed a little after midnight.
Tuesday, April 29, 1919
This morning I had things easy as I did nothing all forenoon but sleep, and I certainly enjoyed it. I would rather sleep than do anything. This afternoon I was working on and off. For a while I would be in the power house working and then back to quarters. About 3:00 PM the captain of the USS Albany and his staff paid a visit to the station. The captain looks like a hard boiled guy and from what I've heard of him I guess he is. He left the station about 4:30 in his small steamer. At 6:00 PM I went on watch in the power house and worked 'til 10:00. I chewed the rag with the fellows for a while. Then I hit the hay pile. Good Night.
Wednesday, April 30, 1919
I was lazy this morning and didn't get up for breakfast. We are supposed to get up at 7:15 every morning, but so long as they don't catch you sleeping in, it's all right. All morning I worked on engines and cleaned up the place. For about an hour we had instructions on how to turn on the radio. Our commanding officer must think we don't know anything about it. I worked this afternoon 'til about 3:00 and then knocked off. They are getting ready to hoist the large antenna. Part of it is up, and the rest will go up tomorrow morning. This is a fine warm day. Every day it gets warmer. I went to work again at 6:00 PM and worked hard 'til about 1:00 AM. Then I went to bed. I am just about all in. This afternoon I wrote a few more lines. I might even get it finished some day.
(Today is April 19, 2013. There are a number of pictures that go with these narratives. Some are numbered and/or dated. I don't have a list; perhaps one exists. (References to "Cavite" refer, I believe, to a place somewhere in the Philippeans, on the Island of Luzon's Cavite peninsula, which is in Manilla Bay; and it probably is or was a naval base.)
Thursday, May 1, 1919
I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning. For sure I was a sleepy fellow. These long hours don't agree with me. I went to work at 8:30 AM and worked hard and steady 'til 1:00 AM the next day with no stops except at meal times. In the forenoon I was running the 60 horsepower engine. In the afternoon I was making adjustments on it, and I gave the engine a good cleaning. In the evening I was helping them start the 150 HP engine but didn't have much success with it. It still needs lots of adjusting. I worked on that engine 'til about 10:30 PM. It was heavy work turning the large flywheels around. It takes five men to move it. After quiting on that job, I started the 60 HP engine and ran it 'til a little after midnight. They are sending messages to Cavite and to the USS Brooklyn. The 60 HP engine runs; so far it gives but very little trouble and I hope it never will. We need at least one engine that will run. This job is getting tiresome: too much work.
Friday, May 2, 1919
I was up at the usual time, but I don't intend to do any work today if I can get out of it, for I feel very bum and sleepy. After I got up and had breakfast, I went back to bed and had a good rest all morning. After dinner I was informed that I was on report for not going to work this morning. This sure was a dirty trick after I have been working long hours all these days. For punishment they said that I had to sweep out the power house every day for a week. I told them I wouldn't do it and that they could give me a court martial if they wanted to. I don't know what they will do now, but I don't give a D___. I sure am getting tired of this outfit, and they will never get me in the service again. And the class of officers we have at the station certainly act in a very unofficer-like manner, The CO is unjust to the men under his charge.
Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, 1919
Everybody is up early this morning, and there is lots of hustling going on. The biggest part of the civilian working party is returning home this morning. Also one of our men, Robb W. Ware, is going. They took their departure at 9:30 AM. It certainly made me lonesome for home when I saw them all leaving, but they were very happy. Some day I'll be going; then I shall be a happy fellow. All afternoon I worked on the large engine, soldering leaky gasoline pipes. From 7:00 PM 'til midnight I was running the engine. They are sending messages to Cavite and to the USS Brooklyn. After shutting down the engine I went up into the operating room to wait for the relief operator Doherty. He came over a little after midnight and brought mail with him. I received two letters from my sweetheart--and very nice ones. I'm always glad to receive her letters. They got here in a little less than a month. With her letters I also received one from Aunt Ella, and I was certainly glad to hear from her. I went to bed about 1:00 AM and got up again at 7:15. For the greater part of the forenoon I was running the engine. After dinner I went over to the power house to get my overcoat, which I had soaked in gasoline. On my way over I took a spill and cut my left leg pretty bad: two cuts about six inches long. It certainly doesn't feel very good. About 2:00 PM the mail came in. I received six packages. It's my films and developing stuff. I'm sure glad to get them. I took a few pictures of some Ruskies. This evening I worked from 4:00 PM 'til midnight, running the engine.
Monday and Tuesday, May 5 and 6, 1919
Well, it's another day of hard labor over. I worked from 8:00 AM 'til 5:00 PM and then from 6:30 to midnight. All during the day I was working on the engine, cleaning a belt that has been giving us trouble, and it certainly was hard work. This afternoon I wanted to get off as my leg was bothering me, and I was also pretty tired. But nothing doing! They wouldn't give me relief; so I had to stick it out. Someone else could have done this job as well as not, as there is bunch of fellows lying around and doing nothing. This evening I spoke to one of the officers about having to work such long hours, but I got no satisfaction. So I went to see the commanding officer. He just said he would let me know. About 10:00 AM they told me that I would be relieved of my duties in the morning. So this helps a little. But I don't imagine that it will last for long as they change orders faster than they can make them. I went on watch and wrote part of a letter to Lucy, watching the engine at the same time. After shutting down at midnight I went upstairs and finished the letter to Lucy. I went to bed about 2:00 AM. The mail left the station a 5:30 this morning--a letter for someone special was in the mail. After getting up this morning, I was told to shift into undress blues as I was going to have the whole day off. This sounds good, but after dinner they mustered us all out to haul distillate drums from the wharf to the station. I'm sure that this is the way I have my time off. I was on this job 'til about 3:00 PM. Then they told me to knock off work. I went up to my quarters and read for a while. Then I took some pictures of our room. At 4:00 PM they told me that I was relieved of my duties on the engine and that I would stand radio watches until further orders. They put a civilian engineer in charge of the engines. It makes no difference to me where I work. I can do just as well on one job as on another. From 6:00 PM 'til midnight I was working with Civite and other stations.
Wednesday, May 7, 1919
I was up at 7:15 AM, had breakfast, and then I laid down for another snooze. I went on watch at noon. I am working a trick for one of the operators who is on liberty. This afternoon I didn't do very much work: copied a few messages from the USS Albany which is out on target practice. I was Off watch again at 4:00 PM. This evening I did a little developing, doing three rolls--one of my own and two for one of the other fellows. They all turned out fine. This is the first developing I have done for many years. I went to bed at 10:00 PM as I have to get up at midnight to go on watch. Love and kisses to everybody. G.N.
Thursday, May 8, 1919
It's 3:45 AM. I was called to go on watch at 12:30 AM; and, gee, how I hated to get up, and I was sleeping so nice and peaceful. But then it had to be did. So far this morning I have done nothing but listen to some nutty Jap sending to another like himself. Also I can hear old Berlin pounding away, but I can't read him too much because of the static. And, besides, I don't want to. I have some fine coffee on the stove. Oh yes, it's good coffee--because I made it myself. I wish someone else was here to share it with me. Today is Mother's birthday. She is 48 years old. I would like to have been home with her, and I hope to see her before she has another birthday. I'm going to write a letter to my sister now; so this journal will have to wait to be continued at some future time. I went off watch at 8:00 AM, had breakfast, and then I went to bed. I didn't get up 'til 5:00 PM. I had a fine sleep most of the time. Some time during the afternoon, they tried to wake me up, but they couldn't wake me because I was already awake, but I showed no signs of life. I found out later that they wanted me to do some work outside. I went to work at 5:30 and worked 'til 12:40 AM. I sent quite a few messages to Cavite, the USS Brooklyn, and the USS Albany. I also received a bunch from them. They kept me on the go all evening. I went to bed at 1:00 AM.
Friday, May 9, 1919
This is another one of those gloomy and dreary days that are so popular here in Siberia. All day it has been pouring down rain, and the wind is blowing a gale. This has been a pretty easy day for me, as I have done nothing but eat and sleep. The only reason I had this day off is on account of the rainy weather. Pretty near everybody had the day off. It's just 6:00 PM; so I'm going to write a few lines to Lucy and then print and develop some films and pictures. I didn't write after all. It's now after 11:00 PM, and I have been printing pictures all evening. I had very good success: only a few were spoiled. I did about 200. I also developed a roll of films, and they turned out fine. I feel kind of sleepy; so I guess I will hit the hay pile. It's very foggy outside, just like Richmond. (?)
Saturday, May 10, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was ready for the hard day. In the evening the day's work was over and it sure has been some day. All day long I have been testing the apparatus and experimenting. I had one explosion on the transmitter and set all the transmitting instruments on fire. The fire was easily put out with no damage to speak of. A little while later I had another explosion that was a good one. The 150 horsepower engine backfired and blew the muffler chamber all to pieces. The chamber was six feet square and two feet thick, made of solid concrete. Some force, you can bet! But no one got hurt. A few hours later the same thing reoccurred. This time the concussion broke all the windows in the tank house and quite a few in the power house. This sure is some expedition. I wish it was over and that I was on my way home--home, sweet home. At 7:00 PM I received two very welcome letters--one from Mother and the other from my sweetheart. How I like to get those letters. But how much better I would like to be with her. I'm going to write a few lines to her; then I'm going to bed. Amen.
Sunday, May 11, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM. This time I am working for one of the other operators. He has gone on liberty. All day I was kept busy, sending and receiving messages. I also did quite a bit of testing. I was in hopes of this being an easy day, as I had wanted to do quite a bit of writing. But no such good luck. This evening I printed quite a few pictures and they all turned out fine. I will sure have some fine pictures to remember this expedition by. And if I ever get lonesome for Siberia, all I will have to do is take a look at those pictures, and that will cure me.
Monday, May 12, 1919
This morning everybody slept late. No one heard the bell; so we were all late for breakfast. At 8:00 AM I went to work. I was presented with the job of taking charge of the cleaning up of the transmitter. So all morning I kept the broom in motion, and I sure raised a lot of dust, also a little H ___. I heard a little explosion with the big transmitter. One of the pole pieces was blown out of the machine. It only weighs 200 lbs. There was some force behind that thing. I went to work at 1:00 PM and worked for about an hour; Then they told me to knock off work. So I had a good bath. After that I got a haircut and a shave; so I'm all dolled up with no place to go. I wrote some lines to Lucy, and this evening I printed some pictures. And after finshing that job, I wrote a few more lines, and now I'm going to bed very shortly. G. N.
Tuesday, May 13, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM but didn't stay there very long. About 10:00 a fire broke out on an antenna wire, and they had me climbing the tower to see how much damage was done by the fire. The damage didn't about to anything. I went back on watch and stayed there 'til noon. This afternoon was spent helping to unload the motor sailer from the USS Albany and also our new motor sailer. I was wading out in the icy water, rolling in drums of distillate. I had on boots that weren't long enough: not good! I was soaking wet. And, gee, how cold that water was. I was in the water for about an hour. This evening I was on watch.
Wednesday, May 14, 1919
I went to work again at 8:00 AM and did a good day's work. But I didn't complete the day on account of an accident to myself. This morning I was bringing stores into the power house, and it sure was heavy work, each case weighing about 700 pounds. After dinner I started down to the dock to help unload the motor sailer. I was going down the track on one of the flat cars. We all had to jump off to avoid running into another car on the track. In jumping off the car, I slipped and went about six feet in the air and landed on my tummy and hurt it quite bad. I also got my leg cut up a little, and one of my arms. This will mean that I stay off the heavy work for a while. Today we got our phonograph that we had been hollering for, for some time.
Thursday, May 15, 1919
I was up at 7:15 AM as usual and went on watch at 8:00. I stayed on watch for a little while and then went down to the dock to help them unload the motor sailer. But I did very little work, as I am in no condition to do any heavy lifting. The spill yesterday was too much for me. I went on watch again about 10:00 AM, Around noontime I was busy copying messages. I copied one message that said that the Naval Reserve Force would soon be released from active duty, and I sure hope it will be very soon as I want to get out BAD. This evening the German prisoners came out with their musical instruments and played for us. We enjoyed it very much. It's not very often that we get a chance to hear good music. Later on this evening I wrote a letter home. I went to bed at 11:00. I sent a bunch of pictures home.
Friday, May 16, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM. All morning I was working outside, bringing things up from the dock, and part of the forenoon I was fixing instruments in the transmitting room. This afternoon I had off up 'til 4:00. During that time I did nothing but sleep. I went on watch at 4:00. From 9:00 to midnight I tried to get hold of Peking, China, but had no success. I guess he wasn't listening for us. I quit at midnight and went to bed. It's raining hard.
Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, 1919
I was up bright and early this morning. I cleaned all my clothes and got ready to go on liberty. Doherty and Ahern are also going in. I let the station at 10:00 AM to catch the 1:20 boat. It's a long hike to the ferry. On our way to the ferry, we took a few pictures. Everything is very pretty along the road, green grass and leaves coming in on all the trees. I got to the ferry in plenty of time to catch the boat, but we were informed that there would be no boat until 6:15 PM. We certainly were disappointed. It was a long wait. There was a bunch of hay on the docks so we laid down and slept. We arrived in Vladivostok about 9:00 PM, and we're all good and huingry. So we went to the Commercial Cafe and had something to eat. We walked around for a while and then turned at the Army headquarters. We were up Sunday morning about 9:30. We chewed the rag for a while and then left. We walked around the city for a while, taking pictures of anything interesting. It rained for the greater part of the morning. I had lunch at the Canadian YMCA and then went up to the expeditionary Building and chewed the rag with one of the operators for a while. I couldn't get a chance to get the pictures that I wanted as all the markets were closed. I went to the American YMCA and heard a talk on India. In the evening I saw some good movies. Over.
Monday, May 19, 1919
I got on board the ferry at 8:00 PM and we left shortly after for Russky Island. I arrived at the Island at 9:00 and about 11:00 at the station. I had a cold shower and then went to bed. I got up at 7:15 AM and went to work at 8:00. I helped to bring up some gasoline and was working on one of the small engines for a while. This afternoon I have off 'til 4:00. I went on watch at 4:00. About 7:00 I copied few messages from Cavite and at 11:30 for the first time we got in contact with Peking, China. I sent him four messages and told him I would contact him at the same time the next day. I went off watch at 1:00 AM and was in bed shortly after.
Tuesday, May 20, 1919
I was up again at 7:15 AM and had chow. All morning up to noon I just loafed and slept. At noon I relieved the operator on watch and copied a bunch of messages from Cavite and sent quite a few to him. I was relieved at 1:00 PM, and all afternoon I slept and I sure had a good sleep. I went on watch at 4:00 PM, and about 5:30 the mail came in. I received three letters--one from Brother Francis in Siberia and others from Lucy and home. I certainly was glad to get those letters. I wrote a few lines to Francis, but I didn't get a chance to write any more as I had to get busy. I copied messages from Cavite, and later copied press messages from San Diego. At 12:00 AM I cleared with Peking, China. I had a hard time getting him on account of so many Ruskies and Jap stations working. I quit at 12:30 AM.
Wednesday, May 21, 1919
Well, as usual I crawled out of the hay at 7:15 AM. After breakfast I got industrious and cleaned up our room--and it really needed it, as it had not been cleaned for three or four days. I finished a letter to Francis and then relieved the operator on watch. I cleared with Cavite. Then I received and sent quite a few messages. This afternoon, almost all the fellows are outside, rolling drums of distillate. This is my afternoon off; so I had a little sleep. I should have written some letters but I was too tired. I went on watch at 4:00 PM. I had a hard time working with Peking this evening. I think every Jap and Ruskie was working at the same time. I managed to clear him at 12:30 AM, and that sure was hard work--just as bad as doing manual labor.
Thursday, May 22, 1919
All morning I was busy in the power house, cleaning up the rooms and clearing up the messages with the Albany. This afternoon a bunch of Russian officers and sailors came to the station to inspect it and to turn it over to us. At 4:00 PM I went on watch. Later I was relieved so that I could print some pictures. They all turned out fine. About an hour later I went back on watch. As usual I had a hard time clearing with Peking, but I managed to do it OK.
Friday, May 23, 1919
I didn't get up 'til very late this morning, about 10:00 AM. I sure was sleepy and was still sleepy when I got up. Later I had to go over to the office and fix up some messages. After lunch I had some more sleep, but later I had to get up and pump gasoline. I was doing this up 'til 4:30 PM. Then I quit. Then a Ruskie brought me a note saying that there was a package at the Russian post office at old Posnosia (Podnozhye). I wrote a letter to Lucy and went to bed about 10:00 PM, good and sleepy.
Saturday, May 24, 1919
I was up early this morning as I had to go on watch at 8:00 AM. All day I was kept busy testing the apparatus and sending messages. I was trying to work with Cavite, but didn't have much success. We have used our high powered transmitter but very little. They are having considerable trouble with the engine. This evening Doherty and I took a walk around the hills. It was a lovely evening, too nice to stay inside. In bed at 10:00 PM.
Sunday, May 25, 1919
I was up early this morning. I was going to go the Port Nazier (I think this is Podnosia, a town on the coast of Russky Island). We started in the motor sailer, but later decided not to stop at that place as the rest of the party were in a hurry to get to the hospital to get a party of officers who are going to visit the station. After arriving at the hospitalwe had dinner and then started for the station with the officers. The boat from the Albany also had a load. We were having a race back to the station. The other boat rammed into us in a narrow channel and we hit some rocks. No damage was done to the boat. I was on watch from 4:00 to midnight.
Monday, May 26, 1919
About 10:00 AM I left the station for Port Nozier (Podnosia), on my way to the post office to get my package. It's about a four and a half mile hike each way. I made it in two hours flat. My package consisted of two post card albums and a dozen rolls of film. These were some of the things that I had ordered from Yokahama, Japan. This afternoon I was pumping gasoline, on the job until 5:00 PM. All the gasoline is in the tanks so no more of this work. This evening I developed four rolls of film. All of them turned out fine. Later I wrote a letter home. I'm going to have a bath and then go to bed for some sleep. G.N.
Tuesday, May 27, 1919
I went on watch this morning at 8:00. All day it was a busy one for me. We were testing the high power set and I had lots of trouble with it. It wouldn't stand the high power. The tips would burn out all the time, and that would mean more work, as the chamber would fill up with water. It would have to be dry before it could be used again. This outfit sure is a fake. This evening I printed a bunch of pictures. They all turned out fine. It's just 9:00 PM; so I think I will go to bed as I am pretty tired.
Wednesday, May 28, 1919
All morning I worked in the power house, cleaning up the instruments in the arc room. I was on this job 'til noon. Then I was finished 'til four PM. All afternoon I pasted pictures in the album, which I got from Japan (This is probably the album that I have in my possession). I got about fifty pictures in, and at the rate I'm going it will take a month to get them all in. This evening while on watch, I wrote a letter to Aunt Ella. The balance of the evening I was kept busy with Cavie and Peking. I went to bed at 1:00 AM, good and sleepy.
Thursday, May 29, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM. I had to fix up the office as we are going to have inspection at noon. I finished cleaning up about 10:00. Then I had to shift into liberty (dress) blues, as I have to take charge of the watch during inspection. The captain from the Albany and his staff gave the station the once over. He didn't get a chance to take a good look as I was busy working with Cavite. His party left about 2:00 PM. We now have two more new men attached to the station temporarily--one to take charge of the motor sailer, the other is an operator, here for two days.
Friday, May 30, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and worked 'til 4:00 PM. I was kept busy all day. I sent quite a few messages to Cavite. He was getting us pretty good today. We new have the files almost clear. If this keeps up for a few days, we will be clear. After supper I and two other fellows took a stroll around the hills. It certainly is a fine evening, too nice to stay inside. We walked around for a couple of hours and then came back and had a good shower bath and went to bed.
Saturday, May 31, 1919
This is another fine morning--just such a morning to start out on a picnic for the day. But instead I have to work. All morning I and a bunch of other fellows had to take the motor sailer and put her on the beach. It sure was some job, and we were working in the hot sun. But this is better than working in freezing weather. I was off all afternoon; so I had a good sleep. I went on watch at 4:00 PM and worked good and hard 'til midnight. Then I went to bed--went there because there is no other place to go.
(Today is Saturday, April 20, 2013. Lucy's out shopping. I learned today that an old friend had died--and I mean OLD. He was 87, a veteran of WWII and Korea. He worked with Lucy at ENMS, and I played a lot of tennis with him.)
Sunday, June 1, 1919
Last night a draft of five men came to this station. This makes seven in the last few
days, and there are still many more to come. All this morning I did nothing but loaf and clean up. I also developed four films for one of the new fellows. This afternoon I and four other fellows went for a hike around the hills. We hiked over to the ocean. On the way we took quite a few pictures. It sure was a wonderful day and very warm--the warmest day so far, 75 degrees above in the shade. That's some difference from the 60 degrees below. We got back from the hike just in time for chow. This evening I developed the films taken on the trip. They all turned out fine. This is another fine evening, but I'm too tired to go out. So to bed instead!
Monday, June 2, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 PM and was busy all morning with sending messages to the USS Albany. Then the transmitter burned up, due to no water. There's plenty of water in the tanks, but it's impossible to force hot water down without a high powered pump. The rest of the day I was kept busy repairing it. I got finished about 4:00 PM. This morning all of the civilian workers left for the United States on the transport Sherman. Gee, I wish I was going back with them, but no such good luck. This evening the mail came in and I received four very welcome letters--one from Ware Mateos at Manilla, one from Mother, one from Edna Billngham, and the other from my only sweetheart, a very welcome letter. I wrote a letter to Lucy and went to bed.
Tuesday, June 3, 1919
This morning after breakfast I started the truck as I have to go to Port Nazier (Podnosia?) at noon to bring in supplies. The greater part of the morning was hauling stuff around the station. I also made a trip to the pump house. I left the station at 11:00 for Port Nazier and arrived there about noon. I left shortly after the arrival of the boat. I brought back four officers but no stores. I got back to the station about 2:00. We had a few very heavy rain storms with the wind blowing a gale. This afternoon I made another trip to the pump house, and the rest of the time I spent in sleeping. I went on watch at 6:00. This evening I wrote a letter home. I had it pretty easy this evening, not very much work.
Wednesday, June 4, 1919
This was another day of hard graft. All morning I was very busy, making stuff for telegraph instruments. This afternoon I had to climb one of the towers to cut some line loose. It sure is tough work, climbing. I have two more towers to climb. I am fixing a rigging to hoist the flag up. At 4:00 PM I had to take the truck to Port Nazier to bring in more supplies. The boat never arrived 'til 10:00 PM. It was a hard trip in as I had no lights, not even a flashlight. Part of the way, one of the fellows had to run ahead of the truck so that I would keep on the road. Some trip! Never again!
Thursday, June 5, 1919
I'm all fired up for another day of work. All morning I was working on the telegraph instruments, also making different parts. This afternoon I was on the same job. All day we have been having a bad wind--rain, thunder and lightning storm. For a while it put the radio instruments out of commission. It certainly was a bad storm. Quite a few fellows were shocked. I also got a good crack from the telegraph line. This evening I wrote a letter home and went to bed about 11:00.
Friday, June 6, 1919
This is a nice clear, calm, warm morning: "The calm after the storm." All morning I was working on the towers getting lines ready to hoist the flag up on Sunday. I have to stretch a line between the two towers. At noon I relieved the operator on watch so he could get chow. All afternoon I was working on the same job. I went up one tower twice. It sure is very tiresome work. l went on watch at 4:00 PM and worked 'til midnight. I copied a bunch of stuff from Cavite. I also wrote a letter to Brother Ed but didn't get a chance to finish it as I had to clear the schedule with Peking, China. I quit at midnight.
Saturday, June 7, 1919
This is another fine day, and very warm. This morning I had to go down and help them launch the motor sailer. The launching was successful. They were repairing the engine and also fixing up a few leaks. After finishing that job, I went to work again on the towers. At noon I was finished with one tower. I had to hoist a one inch line to the top--a very hard and heavy job. This afternoon about 4:-00 PM I finished the last one, and the job is over. Thank Goodness! That makes three trips up those towers today. And believe me: it's hard work. I went on watch at 5:00 and was relieved at 8:30. I had a bath and shave and went to bed at 10:30.
Sunday, June 8, 1919
This morning I went on watch at 8:00, and I sure hated to go to work as it is a beautiful day, almost too good to be real. Two years ago today I joined the Navy; so I am now over the hump. I'm going downhill, and I hope the next two years will pass quickly. This morning I had the honor of hoisting the first American flag at the station and probably the first American flag to be hoisted at any station in Siberia. All afternoon I did nothing but listen for signals and wait until 4:00 for quitting time to come. This evening I and three other fellows hiked around the hills for a few hours. Then I came back to the station and went to bed. Buenas Noches.
Monday, June 9, 1919
I went on watch again at 8:00 AM and was kept pretty busy all morning. I was cleaning the high power transmitter. This was the first time it had been cleaned for some time. I had a hard time clearing with Civite today because the static was very heavy at both ends. This afternoon I had nothing to do but listen to the Russians and the Japs. I wrote a letter to Lucy. This evening everybody was singing and having a good time in general. I went to bed at 10:00 as I have to get up early. I'm going to have a working party tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 10, 1919
I was up early this morning, but there was no working party for me. They said I didn't have to go unless I wanted to. Well, I didn't want to as it has been raining hard all night, and it's still raining. Instead I did a little work around the power house. I loafed around 'til noon and then relieved the operator on watch. I had a hard time with Cavite. He couldn't read us and I couldn't read him--too much static. All afternoon I did nothing but sleep. This evening I and the rest of the gang had to go down to the docks and bring up stores. It was some job, pushing those cars up the hill. It was raining and very muddy. After finishing that job, I fooled around for a while and went to bed about 10:30.
Wednesday, June 11, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was busy all morning with messages for Cavite. I sent and received quite a few from him. We got clear pretty early as conditions were very good. This afternoon I was calling Omsk (?), which is in the interior about 4500 miles. I don't think that we will ever be able to raise him, as the distance is too great, and there are too many mountains in between us. I went off watch at 4:00 PM. This evening I developed a bunch of films--some of my own and some belonging to others. I went to bed at 10:30.
Thursday, June 12, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM, but I didn't work very long, as they sent me with a working party to Vladivostok. We went in our motor sailer. After arriving at Vladivostok, we had to wait for orders. So in the meantime I and the rest of the gang went uptown and had some chow. When we came back, the orders were there. We had to go to the hospital to get a bunch of pipe. On the trip I took quite a few pictures. It was a fine trip and we got back to the station about 3:30 PM. When I got up to quarters, they had a fine job waiting for me: the small antenna had fallen down and I had to climb up the tower and let the other end down. It was a hard job, but I managed it OK. This evening we developed more films. I was in bed at 11:00.
Friday, June 13, 1919
I'm all set for another day's work. This forenoon I was working in the power house, taking boards down from the upper works of the power house. In doing this, I again sprained my right arm. I sprained it the first time last night while working on one of the towers, and tonight I fixed it up for sure--this time pretty bad. It still bothers me considerable, but then we can't be worried. All afternoon I was working on the small aerial, splicing one of the yard arms. It is some job, and we may well have it finished in a few days. After supper I had to rig up a small antenna until we get the other one fixed up. I had to climb the old tower again. I went to bed about 10:00, good and tired. G.N.
Saturday, June 14, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was busy all morning. I received another message from Washington via Cavite in regard to the releasing of the Naval Reserve Force. They said that they wanted all the Reserves to be released by July first, but I think it will be much later before we get released, as we will have toi wait 'til we can get relief, and no one knows how long that will be. This afternoon while on watch, I wrote a letter to my folks at home. I went off watch at 4:00 PM and had a good bath and a shave and then a good supper. I went to bed about 9:30.
Sunday, June 15, 1919
This is supposed to be my Sunday off, but instead I had to work all day. Last night some of the fellows went out and had a good time and came back a little under the weather; so I had to work their tricks from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. It was a long and tiresome day with lots of work. The station was left in my charge; all the rest have gone to town. The commanding officer has been pulling off more of his unofficer-like stunts, and some day he is going to get in trouble. But I should worry? I went to bed at 10:30.
Monday, June 16, 1919
This morning real early I got a very nice surprise. It came at 12:00 AM in the shape of six letters--one from a photo concern in Japan, one from Brother Ed, which had taken four months in getting here, one from Cousin Alice, one from Mother, and the other from my sweetheart. I sure was glad to get those letters. I read Lucy's and Mother's first and read the rest in the morning. I had to get up early at 6:00 AM to work with Omsk. I just barely could hear him, but his signals were hardly audible, and I couldn't make out anything--only the call letters. I was busy up 'til noon looking after all kinds of work, and there sure was plenty of it. I fixed up quite a few batteries which were connected up wrong and lots of other things. All afternoon I did nothing but sleep and I sure was sleepy. This evening the clocks at the station were set ahead an hour. That means I will have to get up an hour earlier. So Good Night at 10:30.
Tuesday, June 17, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM, but there is nothing much doing today. I sent a few messages to Cavite and few to the USS Albany, which has pulled out to sea for target practice. She left this morning at 8:30. All day it's been cold and foggy, just like Frisco is sometimes. This evening I wrote a letter to Lucy and then went to bed at 11:30. Now for a good night's sleep.
Wednesday, June 18, 1919
The CO pulled another stunt! I was up this morning early and to work at 8:00. All morning I had to make repairs on the arc, making new parts for circuit breakers , and a few other things. This afternoon we had a regular job: I and another fellow, Rice Punchon, had to go out trouble shooting. Something was wrong with the telegraph line. It was a hard job, as we had to climb poles and go through all kinds of underbrush--and it was very thick. We cleared a few broken lines and followed along the line, finally finding the trouble. At the station they had reversed the batteries. I went to bed early this evening.
Thursday, June 19, 1919
This is a fine morning, and it's my morning off. So I did nothing but loaf and lie around in the sun--and I sure enjoyed it. I wish I could have a little more time like that. This afternoon I had the job of painting all the railing around the stairways. This was the first painting I have done since I came into the Navy, and I don't like it in the least. This evening I was working on the camera. I took the lens all apart, looking for trouble.
Friday, June 20, 1919
The day's work is over and it surely has been some day of hard labor. We hoisted the small antenna up. Punchen and I did all the tower work while the other fellows cleared the cables. We had to climb up the towers four times. It's quite a job, working on towers, and it's very dangerous--especially this afternoon as it was very foggy and everything was slippery. You sure had to watch your step. We got the thing all up and secure without any mishaps, and I hope it will stay there 'til after I get away from this station.
Saturday, June 21, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM and was working the large arc transmitter, fixing up a few minor repairs. About 10:00 the motor sailer from the Albany arrived with a bunch of Marines to relieve the ones at the station. They are relieved every ten days. The CO told Punchen and me to get ready to go to town to get supplies for the station. So we hurried as the Albany boat was supposed to leave in about a half hour. But they never left 'til 1:00 PM. After we arrived in town, we walked all over the place, getting different kinds of materials. And it sure was miserable--windy and raining hard and everything muddy. There were no boats running back to the Island; so we had to stay in town all night.
Sunday, June 22, 1919
I got up about 9:00 AM after a hard night's sleep. I got very little sleep. There were too many pests, namely bed bugs. This hotel looked very clean. They had clean rooms and linen, but there must have been a billion bugs in it. It was some night. About 2:00 AM I got up and sat in a chair, hoping the bugs would vacate our beds, but they never left us 'til daylight. We then got in a few hours sleep. After getting up we went to the Canadian YMCA and had some chow. While it wasn't raining we walked around town. There were many interesting sights to see. At 4:00 PM we went on board the Russian ferry, but the damned thing never left 'til 8:00 PM. Coming over we had a fine trip, and I saw the most wonderful sunset I have ever seen--impossible to describe it. We arrived at the station at 10:30 PM, covered with mud and loaded with packages--and about all in.
Monday, June 23, 1919
Just before retiring last night, we had a good shower bath as it was very hot hiking. The weather had turned to good, but it sure was muddy. We were about all in when we arrived. It was hard, hiking through the mud. I got up early this morning and went on watch at 8:00. I was pretty busy all day with lists and schedules. L.L.D. Anderson was released from the station and transferred to the SS Archer who's bound direct for the USA. Their first stop will be San Francisco. I wish I could have gotten that job. Anyhow, some day I will be going back. The HMS Kent left Vladivostok today at 8:00 AM, flying the "homeward bound" pennant. I was talking to some of the fellows yesterday, and they were all very happy about going home. Well, who wouldn't be after they have been in this country for 10 months and away from home close to two years. This evening I worked on the camera and went to bed at 11:00.
Tuesday, June 24, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was busy all morning. I had a bunch of messages to make up. While sending messages to Cavite, one of the large coils on the transmitter burned out; so I had quite a job fixing that. The SS Archer sailed this morning about 9:00 AM. So old Andy is well on his way to God's country. I went off watch at 4:00 PM. I and a bunch of other fellows went down to the dock and went in swimming. The water was pretty bad and not any too warm. Today has been the warmest day so far with the temperature going up to 99 degrees. This evening Palmer was transferred from the engine room to the radio room. He had to do this because of Anderson leaving. I went to bed at 11:00, expecting mail.
Wednesday, June 25, 1919
The temperature this morning was 101 degrees. I got on the job at 8:00 AM after they got clear with the Omsk schedule. I repaired the coil that had burned out yesterday. It was some job, as the coil stands six feet tall. Five turns were burned out--or about 100 feet. This afternoon I did nothing. I tried to sleep a little, but nothing doing because of too much noise. I went on watch at 5:00 PM and was very busy, after clearing with Cavite. I had to change the water system on the arc transmitter. It was some job. I finished work at 12:20 AM. I had a hard time working with Peking. Also I was working with the HMS Kent.
Thursday, June 26, 1919
Last night just before quitting I received a message from the Albany saying that Peace had been signed at 5:00 PM on the 24th. It was signed by British officers. I hope it's true, for it well mean we will soon go home. This is the big day: housecleaning. The whole building was cleaned from top to bottom--windows washed, rugs cleaned, and floors shellacked. I was good and tired when I got finished. l This will hold us for a couple of weeks, but next time it won't be so bad. This evening I received word that the Americans were fighting the bolshevicks: 23 or 30 were killed and about twice as many wounded. Most of the Americans were killed while in bed. They were taken by surprise early in this morning. About fifty American soldiers held back about 700 bolshevicks. The fighting was only a few miles from Vladivostok--about 18 miles, I think. We look for more trouble soon.
Friday, June 27, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was very busy all day. I had a bunch of messages for Cavitie, but he wasn't getting us very good today. So we got clear of only a few of them. Also, I had a lot of wire work with the Albany. I was kept on the jump all the time. This evening I finally got my camera together. I had a hard time getting all the stuff back in. After I got it all in, it worked fine. I wrote a few pages to Lucy, and now I' m going to bed. It's after 11:00. It wasn't so warm today: the temperature only came up to 72.
Saturday, June 28, 1919
It's Peace Day! I went to work at 8:00 AM and was busy all morning, fixing up a work bench, also many other things. I made a few minor repairs on the small arc transmitter. This afternoon someone fired a shot at the radio room. It busted one of the windows and just missed one of the operators by about 10 feet. I don't know if was the work of bolshevicks or just a stray bullet. The Albany is sending all her marines out to the firing line, and we sailors have to patrol the area. I guess something must be up. I went on watch at 5:00 PM and was fairly busy toward the latter part of the evening. The transport Sheridan is anchored outside the harbor, but can't come in because of the dense fog. I wrote a letter to Mother and went to bed a midnight.
Sunday, June 29, 1919
I was up early this morning and all ready for the trip. Just before we started, a small fawn, the old buck, and a doe came on the reservation. The whole gang turned and tried to catch it, though they couldn't do it. So one of the fellows shot it. He shouldn't have done it, as it was too young. We started on the trip about 9:00 AM. When we started it was very foggy, but it soon cleared up. At noon we stopped on one of the small islands and cooked some chow. We had a very good time there, running and some of the fellows went swimming. We left there shortly and went to another island. We all went in swimming then. The water was kind of cold, but after we got in it was all right. We fooled around there for a while and then shoved off and rode around few other islands before heading back to the station. We arrived there in time for chow. Last night the "60" (?) pulled out in time for chow. I went to bed about 9:00 PM, ready for a good night's sleep.
Monday, June 30, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM. All day I was kept very busy. They are having lots of trouble in town. The USS Albany is leaving port this evening for parts unknown. They are going out to fight the bolshevicks. They are going to land a party up the coast a little ways. The Albany also carried a load of soldiers. The whole ship is cleared for action. So I guess they are going to have some fun. I wish them good luck. After supper the whole gong took the launch and went a ways out in the bay. We all went in swimming, and it was great. Everybody wore nature's uniform. We used to swim at the dock, but can't do it anymore an account of the sea weed. I went to bed at 10:00.
Tuesday, July 1, 1919
It's 11:00 PM. This has been a very busy day for me. All kinds of messages were coming over the radio. The USS Albany is up the coast fighting the bolshevicks, and from the radio messages I have received, they are having a hard fight. This afternoon a major from the Canadian Army came out and offered to give us enough men and to install a field telephone set and to protect the station from harm. He also wanted to mount machine guns on the station, but there's no one here to give him the proper authority. Our CO was on the dock, but he refused to come up and see him, sending word back that he wasn't at the station. This afternoon the CO accused one of the men of being disloyal to his country. This man is no more disloyal than I am or any other man here. The CO showed signs of disloyalty when he refused to come to see the major. It was for the protection of all the men in Siberia, because they depend upon this station for many things. This evening all the men available were put on guard duty at various points around the station reservation. A raid is expected at any time. I went to bed at 11:15 PM--for a very light sleep.
Wednesday, July 2, 1919
I was busy all morning working on the arc transmitter, cleaning and putting it in condition for a test with Cordova. This evening I and another operator went to the row boat and sailed to the other side of the bay. After we got there, we gathered a bunch of mussels and had a regular feed. We stayed there for a while and then came back to the station. I enjoyed it very much. It was something different. I'm on watch about 9:45 PM.
Thursday, July 3, 1919
I was up early again this morning and on watch at 8:00 AM. I am working for a fellow that has gone on liberty. I was kept busy all day and went off watch at 4:00 PM. I wrote a letter to Lucy. I had lots of work with Peking, China. I got clear about 1:45 AM. I was just getting in bed when a heard the guard yell, "Halt! Who goes there?" He yelled it twice and then fired three shots. It looked as though someone was coming up to him, smoking a cigarette, but it turned out to be only a fire fly. The whole station was turned out. They thought at first it was a bolshevick attack.
Friday, July 4, 1919
It's the Fourth! I went on watch about 10:00 AM and as usual I was kept busy all day. After coming off watch I had to deliver a message to the commanding officer, who was on an outing across the bay. After delivering the message, we came back to the station. The fellows wanted me to take them for a ride in the truck; so we all started out about 5:30 PM. We just went to Port Nazier and then up to the English and Canadian camps. We took the long road back to the station. It was a fine trip and we all enjoyed it very much. We got back to the station about 9:30, and the fellows came back from liberty at 10:30. They said that it was reported in town that the station had been captured by the bolshevicks. Some chance! I finished a letter to Lucy and went to bed at 11:00.
Saturday, July 5, 1919
It's 8:00 AM. I went to work in the arc room. I adjusted some of the transmitting apparatus and made a few repairs. I only worked 'til 10:00, as I am going on liberty this afternoon. Punshson is going with me. We left the station at 3:30 for Port Nazier and upon arriving there, our launch was waiting for us. So we got to Vladivostok in pretty good time. We went aboard the Albany to get some shoes. We sure had to make speed as the Albany is leaving for parts unknown to fight the bolshevicks. We think they were going up one of the rivers to bring supplies to our Army, which were cut off by the bolshevicks. In the evening we went to the show and enjoyed it very much. The show let out about midnight. We camped out at the Army headquarters for the night.
Sunday and Monday, July 6 and 7, 1919
I got up this morning about 10:00 AM after a pretty good night's sleep. I went up town and had breakfast and then walked all over the town, taking pictures. We got pictures of all the allied headquarters and many other scenes. It was a fine day for taking pictures. After lunch we went to the other side of town, to their famous beaches. We got many interesting pictures there: the people all go in swimming naked--both sexes. It's their custom. Later we went down to the famous Trans Siberian railroad. We got more pictures there. By that time it was time for dinner; so we went to one of the restaurants and had a very good meal--in typical Russian style. After leaving there we had to go down to the replacement barracks to get two sailors who were on the Albany, to take them out to the station. We left for home at 8:20 PM and arrived at the station about 11:00. I was supposed to go on watch at midnight, but one of the operators took the watch 'til 4:00 AM, and then I went on. I was kept busy up 'til 8:00 AM, copying long code messages for the Albany and they sure were long ones. I went to bed about 10:00 AM and slept 'til late in the enening--but got up in time for dinner. About 7:00 PM I and a bunch of other fellows went in swimming and the water sure was fine. After the swim, I developed the films, and they all turned out fine. I developed five rolls. I went to bed about 10:00 PM for a good night's sleep.
Tuesday, July 8, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM, and all day 'til 4:00 I was kept on the go, handling messages of all sorts and sending quite a few. After supper, I and a bunch of the other fellows took the truck to Port Nazier to meet the mail orderly. We had lots of time; so we went up the road a ways and went in swimming. The water was fine. The boat arrived about 9:30, and we got back to the station about 10:00. I received two very welcome letters from Lucy and her mother.
Wednesday, July 9, 1919 (Ostrov Russki: the island where the station was located)
This is my morning off; so I'm doing nothing but lying around and taking things easy, also doing a little writing. But this afternoon I will have lots of work, as I am going to take the large transmitter apart, fix the leaks, repair, and clean it. I won't be off 'til midnight. All afternoon I was busy with the arc. I took the thing all apart, and it sure was a dirty job. I didn't get the thing together 'til after 10:00 PM, and then it wasn't finished. The rest of the time was spent in trying to work with Peking, but I couldn't do it on account of the darn Japs. How I love them!
Thursday, July 10, 1919
I was lazy this morning and didn't get up until 8:30. I didn't go to bed until 1:30 AM. After I got on the job, I had to finish fixing up the arc transmitter. All morning I was busy soldering up leaky water joints, and that's no easy job. Finally I got the thing all together about noon, and everything held up fine--no more leaks, for a while at least. I wonder what the next big job will be. This evening I wrote a letter to Lucy and am going to write a few lines to (sister) Lillian. Today is her birthday--sweet sixteen, the best year of all.
Friday, July 11, 1919
I got up at 6:30 AM, had breakfast, and left the station at 7:00 for Vladivostok. I took the launch. I had to go downtown to get a bunch of electrical supplies for the station. I arrived at Vladivostok about 10:00, and it was very hot. I went to a few shops and then up to the American consulate with the mail orderly to get the mail. I received four letters--one from Brother Francis, another from Aunt Margaret, and the other two form my seetheart and Mrs. Dealthey, Lucy's aunt, and they were very sad letters. Lucy's said that her father was very, very sick, and Mrs. Dealthey's said that he had passed away June 18th. It surely made me feel very sad, for he had been a very good father to his children, and he will be missed very much. I cannot express just how sad I feel, but I am very, very sorry. And oh, what I would give if I could be with them now, for I may be able to help a little.
Saturday, July 12, 1919
I was on watch 'til 11:00 PM last night. I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was busy all forenoon. I sent quite a few messages to Cavite, and then I was relieved about 11:30, as I had to take a liberty party to Port Nazier. I left the station about 11:50 with the truck and arrived there just in time to catch the ferry. I got back to the station at 1:00 PM and laid down for a while as I didn't feel very well. I went on watch at 4:00 PM after a bum sleep. I feel no better. At 12:15 AM I was still working hard trying to clear Peking and having a hard time with him--all kinds of interference around this place with the Japs and Russians working all the time won't give me a chance. But I can't be worried. I would give anything if I could be home now. I am sure am sick of this country. I want to be with my Lucy. I feel very sorry for them all--a great loss indeed.
Sunday, July 13, 1919
I got up about 9:00 AM and had chow. Then laid around for a while. Later we all decided that it would be nice to go for a truck ride. So we started out about 10:00 and got back about 2:00 PM. We enjoyed it very much, as it is a nice day. After coming back I had a little snooze and then chow. I went on watch at 4:00, wrote letters to Brother Francis and to the folks. I was relieved at 9:00.
Monday, July 14, 1919
I got up at 6:30 AM, had a little breakfast, and then went back to bed, as I sure feel miserable this morning. Everything I eat seems to go against me. I guess I ate too much. l slept pretty fair 'til noon. Then I got up and had a piece of pie. I went to work at 1:00 PM, stringing wires for lights on the dock. I didn't do much work, only bossing. I quit at 4:00. In the evening I tried to do a little studying, but nothing doing because I feel too bum. I am supposed to go up for examination for chief electrician tomorrow. I don't know whether I will pass or not, and don't really care. I wrote a letter to Lucy and then went to bed at 11:00. The mail leaves in the morning.
Tuesday, July 15, 1919
I was up a little early this morning, 6:00 AM. Breakfast was at 6:30, and I left the station for the USS Albany at 7:00. I was still feeling bum. I had a little sleep on the way over to the Albany, arriving there about 9:45. I reported to the examining officers. They asked me if was satisfied with the examining board. I felt like telling they that I was satisfied with nothing pertaining to the Navy. I was examined at 11:00, and they kept me busy 'til noon answering questions--and they sure were dandies--but I had an answer for every one of them. They didn't tell me whether I passed or not. Later I went uptown for a while and then came back to the ship to help load on stores for the station. It didn't take long for this job. Later I went up to the American Headquarters to get some drawing materials for the station. I left Vladivostok at 8:30 PM on the Russkie boat and arrived at the station ata 10:30. I was in bed at 11:00.
Wednesday, July 16, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM. All morning I was working under the dock, putting up wires. It was hard working as we had to work from a row back. We are making some job of it. It's just like trying to make something out of nothing. We are using some Russian material that they left at the station. About 10:00 a small Japanese cutter came alongside the dock. It was loaded with officers. They came to look the station over. If I had my way about it, I would kick them off the dock. I have no use for those fellows, nor has any other American in the country. They are the cause of practically all the trouble in this country. They stayed out to the station 'til about noon and then shoved off. We quit our job a little after noon, had chow, and then loafed around for a while. Later I took the truck and the station force out for a ride. We all went in swimming on the other side of the island. The water was pretty cold, but not too much. I swam about a mile along the beach, and then we came back to the station. I went on watch at 4:00 and was fairly busy 'til midnight.
Thursday, July 17, 1919
It's 1:45 AM, and I'm still on the job, waiting for my relief. He was too sleepy to get up at midnight, and I told him I would stand it 'til !:30. If he knew how sleepy I was, he would show some speed in getting here. I was relieved at little after 2:00, went to bed, and got up at 6:30, and went back to work at 8:00. I worked hard all morning. Everybody had to turn to and help clean up the grounds for an inspection that is soon to be pulled off. It sure was a hot morning, and I don't think I have ever sweat so much before. We knocked off work at noon and had chow. At 1:00 PM we all had to muster in front of the power house to get a bawling out. The old man said that some of us weren't working hard enough and that we were turning bolshevick. Sure, I guess we are all bolshevicks. We then worked extra hard for an hour and a half and then quit. We took the truck and the whole station force to the Russian playground and had a game of ball. It sure was great, and I enjoyed it. After the game we drove down to the beach and all hands went in swimming--and that was the best of all. We were having such a good time that we forgot all about returning to the station. We got back to the station a half hour late for supper, but they had the chow waiting for us. We sure were a hungry gang. This evening I developed a bunch of films and went to bed at 10:30.
Friday, July 18, 1919 (Orphans)
It's 4:00 AM. I went on watch at midnight and gee how I hated to get up. After I came on watch, I had a little chow: canned sardines and bread. Then I went to work, but I didn't do much. I received one message from Peking, China, and it took me a whole hour to do it. I'm going to write a letter now; so see you later. I went off watch at 8:00, had some breakfast, and then went to bed. I slept 'til about 1:30 PM and then got up. We took the truck and the whole gang went to Port Nazier. We all went swimming, and it sure was fine. We stayed in the water for about 3 hours and then came back to the station. On the way back, we picked up a bunch of orphans from the home and took them for a ride around the country and then brought them home. They certainly enjoyed it. Every time we go past the home, we take them for a ride unless we are in a hurry to meet the boat. It does the kids lots of good, and they think the Americans are all right. I went to bed about 8:00 PM--real happy.
Saturday, July 19, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM and was real busy all morning. We are cleaning up the grounds, getting ready for inspection. I certainly do not like this job; nor does anyone else. It's going to take a long time before we get the grounds in good condition, as there is lots of space to go over. I finished work at noon, and in the afternoon we took the truck and went to our usual swimming grounds. The water was pretty chilly, much colder than usual, but just the same it was all right. We got back to the station in time to go on watch at 4:00. Now I'm not very busy. I wrote a letter to Brother Ed and one to Aunt Myrtle.
Sunday, July 20, 1919
I got up at 9:00 AM this morning and had breakfast. I don't have to get up early anymore on Sundays. We have breakfast at 9:00 and dinner at 4:00 PM. It's much better this way, as it gives the cooks a little time off. About 10:00 we left with the truck for a little spin. We went over some roads that we hadn't seen before, and it was very pretty. The road was very narrow--just room enough for the truck--trees thick on both sides of the road, and all kinds of wild flowers. We took another road coming back by way of the English camp and then to the Port Nazier beach. Some of the fellows went in swimming, but I stayed out. I didn't feel like swimming today. We got back to the station about 3:15, and at 4:00 we had a big dinner. I went to bed at 9:00, as I have to get up at midnight. Buenos Noches.
Monday, July 21, 1919
It's 3:00 AM. I went on watch at midnight. I didn't feel much like getting up, as I certainly was sleepy. After going on watch, I tried to clear Peking, but nothing doing--too many Japs and Russkies working. So I shut down. I'm going to try him again about 5:00. After going off watch at 8:00, I had a little chow and then went to bed about 9:00. I didn't get up 'til about 2:30, and believe me I sure was sleeping. About 3:00 PM the whole station force went to Port Nazier for a swim. The water as usual was great. In the evening I went to Vladivostok to see a show that the USS Albany was giving. It was very good. We got back to the station about 4:00 AM. It was some trip through some very dense fog.
Tuesday, July 22, 1919
I was up at 6:30 AM, and oh how i hated to get up. And I surely was sleepy. This night life doesn't agree with me anymore. I went on watch at 8:00 and was kept busy all day with schedules with first one station and then another. Also I was doing a lot of cleaning up as we are going to have inspection tomorrow sometime. I wish they would cut these inspections out. I don't like them. I went to bed really early at 8:00, the earliest I have gone to bed for some time. I had to do it, as I need the sleep.
Wednesday, July 23, 1919
We were really early birds this morning. Everybody had to get up at 5:00 AM. We had some coffee, and then we had to go to work, cleaning up everything. I took care of the operating room, also looking after out quarters to see that they were properly cleaned up. I got finished about 10:30. and then everybody had to shift into whiles. About noon the captain of the USS New Orleans, the captain of the USS Albany, and two other officers went over the whole station, also the personnel. They were apparently satisied with the place--at least he had better as we had certainly worked hard enough. I took pictures of the party as I want to remember the cause of MUCH work. In the afternoon I took the truck and the gang to the beach and had a good swim. I went on watch at 4:00 and was busy until midnight when I was relieved. Then I retired.
Thursday, July 24, 1919
Once again I got up at 5:00 AM--also two other fellows, a sailor and a marine. We took the truck and went to the other side of the island, to the hospital, to get our 5 ton truck, which is broke down. It has been over there for a long time. We left the station about 6:00 and got to the hospital about 8:00. It was a pretty fast trip, and a fine morning for a ride, although it was pretty foggy. After we got there, we tried to tow the truck up the grade, but couldn't do it. So I went up to the hospital and made arrangements to get the Army truck. I finally got it about 1:00 PM. We made the grade OK and all the rest of them. In places it was very steep and towing on the grade was long and heavy. We got back to the station about 3:30, and we could say we made good time. I certainly was tired when I got back, as the truck springs are pretty stiff, and the road was very rough. I went to bed about 8:00 for a few hours sleep.
Friday, July 25, 1919
I went on watch at midnight, though I didn't like the idea of getting up at that hour--but it had to be done. I didn't do very much all night as static was very heavy. I was bothered considerably by bugs, spiders, and moths. The place was thick with them. I went off watch watch at 8:00 AM and was in bed shortly after. I got up again at 2:00 PM after a fair sleep, but it was hot all afternoon. We had lots of thunder and lightning---and rain. The thunder was very close. I certainly liked to hear it. This evening the gang was having arguments about perpetual motion, mars, and other subjects. Very interesting facts were brought out, and I decided that perpetual motion will never be realized. I went to bed about 10:00.
Saturday, July 26, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was kept very busy all day with new schedules. I sent more messages today than for any other day since the station was opened. Cavite was getting us very good today. He kept telling me to send faster--the first time this has ever has happened. At 4:00 PM the USS Albany pulled out to sea. She leaves for Shanghai. After the Albany left, the USS New Orleans pulled into her berth. This is a rather stormy evening. The wind is blowing a gale. It is also quite warm. There is not much exciting this evening; so I went to bed about 10:00.
Sunday, July 27, 1919
It's 11:50 PM, and a busy day is just about over. I was called up at 6:00 AM to take the watch as all the operators are leaving the station on liberty, also the officers. So the station is in my charge. All morning and afternoon I was busy with schedules. I had to start the engines and run the machines. I had a man in the engine room watching the engines. It's too much work for two persons, and I was surely glad that it doesn't happen very often. All during the day we had visitors; so it was up to me to show them around. This evening the French Counsul of Petrograd and Amok and other French and Russian officers visited the station. Thje French counsul could speak perfect English but he wouldn't converse with the other officers--only through the French officers. Thils sure is some life, but I wish it was over so that I could get home again. G.N.
Monday, July 28, 1919
I got up this morning at 6:45 AM, had some chow, and spent the morning cleaning up our room and sleeping--mostly sleeping. I went to work at 1:00 PM and had quite a bit of work to do on the large transmitter. Some of the bushings were burned out, and I had to replace them. I knocked off work at 3:30. I expect to be kept very busy the next five days as a load of stores and supplies has arrived for the station. I'll start bringing them to the station tomorrow. This evening I was kept busy: jumping around, helping to fix up the Ford and the truck. I went to bed at 9:30, feeling fine and very tired.
Tuesday, July 29, 1919
I went on watch at 12:15 AM. I had a hard time getting up and had to be called twice before I came to life. I was busy all morning with many schedules. I was feeling pretty bum for a few hours, but I got over it OK. So I'm now "Jake." It's just 6:10 AM and lots of works yet remains to be did. At 8:00 I went off watch and went to bed at 9:00. I slept 'til 2:00 PM, got up for a while, and then went back to bed and slept 'til 4:00 when I went on watch. After supper I wrote a few lines to Lucy. Also I received a very nice letter from her this afternoon, one from Mother, and another from A.B. Millls. This is the first mail for pretty near three weeks. I was kept busy all watch and went off at midnight.
Wednesday, July 30, 1919
I got up this morning in time for chow, fooled around for a while, did a little work, and then went to bed again. I got up for lunch and for a couple of hours this afternoon I was doing miscellaneous work in the power house. After that I laid down for a while, but no sleep would come. At 6:00 I had dinner and then went for a little walk around the buildings, but I didn't go far as it was raining and blowing pretty hard. It's sure some weather for this time of year. It's fine to stay inside. I went to bed about 10:00. I sure wish this irregularity would come to an end. It does no one any good.
Thursday, July 31, 1919
I was up and on watch at midnight. I made some chocolate, the first that I have made for a long time. I finished a letter to Lucy and then I went to work with Peking, but I could do nothing with him. Later I had a schedule with Cavite, but "SOL" (S___ Out of Luck?) I couldn't raise him. I copied quite a few messages from him, nothing of much importance. At 8:00 AM work is all over. I had a little breakfast and then went to bed and slept 'til about 2:00 PM. I got up for a while and then went back to bed and slept 'til 4:30--or rather tried to. After getting up, I went on watch at 4:00 PM and was kept pretty busy all evening--and I sure was glad when it was time to be relieved.
Friday, August 1, 1919
I was up at 6:30 AM, had some breakfast, and then did a little work in the power house, but I did very little. I'm not going to do much work anymore--that is if I can get out of it. I had a little snooze before lunch and sat up a few hours more. Then I went back to my bunk for another 40 winks. About 3:00 PM I was called upon to relieve one of the operators. He pulled the wrong switch and burned his hand very bad. I was relieved at 4:30. About 7:00 I left the station with a load of gobs, including myself, with the truck. It was loaded with gasoline. On the way back we all went swimming, and the water sure was fine. I got back to the station about 9:00 and was in bed by 10:00. Da Da!
Saturday, August 2, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM, and all day I was kept fairly busy, but I didn't receive many messages on account of weak signals at both ends. I went off watch at 4:00 PM. In the evening I was helping the new operator. This is his first watch that he is standing at the station. He came here about a week ago from the USS Helena. We were also paid our monthly wages this afternoon. I received the enormous sums of 85 bucks for a hard month of labor. This evening the machinist mate and I went for a little stroll along the country roads. We hiked for a couple of miles and then returned to the station. The CO is still pulling off his regular stunts--only they are more frequent and bolder than ever.
Sunday, August 3, 1919
I got up about 9:00 AM and had breakfast. This is a bum day: raining hard and everything is muddy. I spent the greatest part of the day in sleeping--about the only thing one can do with this kind of weather. I had more chow at 4:00, and after finishing that I went on watch and was kept fairly busy all evening. I wrote a letter home: I always find a little time to write in between working schedules. About midnight the weather cleared up a little, but it's still raining--but no wind. I went off watch at midnight and went to bed shortly after. Teary eyes hour.
Monday, August 4, 1919
I was up real early this morning. I had breakfast at 5:30 AM and left the station at 6:00 for the Army base to get a load of furniture for the station. I arrived at the base about 9:00 and took a load of dressers. I returned to the station about 12:00 noon, had some chow, and took another trip. This time we took a load of beds and springs; so we are going to have some real beds to sleep in tonight. I arrived at the station after the second trip about 7:00. All evening the whole station force was busy fixing up their new beds. I got into mine about 10:00 but didn't go to sleep 'til early morning. I wasn't used to sleeping between white sheets and on a soft mattress. Some soft life this is.
Tuesday, August 5, 1919
This was another morning that I had to get up early because one of the operators was taken sick--at 4:00 AM. So I had to relieve him. I worked 'til 6:30 and called another to relieve me. I had some breakfast and left the station at 7:00 to get another load of stuff for the station. Going over we had a very rough trip, and every one of us was soaked to the skin. That Ford sure did some jumping around. I arrived at the New Orleans about 8:30, stayed there for a few minutes, and then proceeded to the Army base. We got the balance of stuff on this trip and got back to the station about 1:00 PM. Then we took one last trip for a load of gasoline to take to the New Orleans and to the Army base. On the way back, we stopped at the USS New Orleans and took on a load of stores for the station. We arrived at the station at 8:30.
Wednesday, August, 6, 1919
I was up at 7:10 AM and went on watch at 8:00. All day I was kept on the go--first one thing and then another. I copied all kinds of schedules and new test schedules. They always manage to have their test schedules on my watch. This morning I picked up the new radio station at St. Paul, Alaska, and I think we are going to start a new test schedule with him. We were getting his signals pretty fair. At 4:00 PM I was relieved; so I had the rest of the day to myself. So I loafed around for a while in the evening and went to bed about 11:00 for a good night's sleep in my new BED! Oh Boy!
Thursday and Friday, August 7 and 8, 1919
I was up once more at 6:00 AM. I got up a little earlier than usual: I wasn't able to sleep anymore. I had chow at 7:30 and went to work at 8:00. I was showing the new operator how to take care of the transmitting machine in case anything should go wrong while he was on watch. I was busy up 'til noon and then knocked off work for the rest of the afternoon. I tried to sleep for a few hours this afternoon, but I don't think had much success. I got up and went on watch at 4:00 PM and was very busy 'til midnight. I called the relief, and after they got here we had some nice hot chocolate and chewed the rag for a few hours. Then I got in bed about 2:15 AM. It's getting kind of foggy this morning. I was up at 11:00 AM after a fine sleep. I had lunch at 12:15 and all afternoon was busy in the arc room, fixing up the arc. The machines are going along pretty good now. We're not having much trouble with them. That's the way I like to have things go. This evening I went for a little stroll, but wasn't gone for long: it's too hot for hiking. I went to bed about 10:00 and was up again at midnight. I didn't get much sleep, but it was better than none.
Saturday, August 9, 1919
I went on watch shortly after midnight and was kept moderately busy all night--but nothing pressing. I copied quite a few messages from Cavite, but I was having lots of trouble trying to keep awake. I went off watch at 8:00 AM and went to bed at 9:00. I slept pretty fair all morning and part of the afternoon. It has been pretty hot all day. The temperature was hanging around 100 all the time. In the evening I took a little walk, had a swim, and was in bed about 10:00--to get up at midnight again.
Sunday, August 10, 1919
I went on watch at midnight. I rather disliked the idea of getting up at that time--but it had to be did. I shifted watches with one of the other operators so that I would have all day off. The gang wanted to make an excursion in the motor sailer. The old man said nothing doing unless I went along to watch out for the boat. We went to one of the islands called Popov Ostroz about 20 miles from Russky Island. We got there just in time for chow--and, believe me, we had a real feed: fried chicken. It sure tasted good. Later on we all went in swimming. The water was pretty rough, but very warm--just the kind of water I like to swim in. The waves were breaking pretty light. We got back to the station about 7:30. The trip was enjoyed very much by all. I turned in about 10:00, the usual time.
Monday, August 11, 1919
I was up bright and early this morning, and it sure is hot--only 107 at 9:30 AM, a little too warm. All morning I was busy in the arc room doing a little of everything and not much of anything--it's a little too warm for doing much work. I guess I spent most of the time in loafing. At 4:00 PM I went on watch and was very busy that whole watch. There was all kinds of business to be cleared up, and it sure was warm working. I had every door and window open and was working in shirt sleeves. I was sure glad when midnight came as I was getting pretty tired and sleepy. This is a fine, clear, moonlit night.
Tuesday, August 12, 1919
At 9:00 AM one of the officers came over and woke me up and wanted me to take the truck to the other side of the island. He didn't say what for--but I soon found out why. Last night the commanding officer and gunner had the Ford out. They also had COMPANY!! They were having a pretty good time from the look of things as the old Ford was in the ditch. But as luck would have it, no damage was done. Between the two of us we got it out without too much trouble and got back to the station about 12:00 noon. All afternoon I was working on my printing outfit, and at last I have it ready for work. I expect to print some pictures very soon. I went swimming this evening.
Wednesday, August 13, 1919
I was up at 1:00 AM and went on watch, but I had to be called twice before I snapped out of it. This has been a pretty easy night for me: I only copied six messages, the easiest watch in many a day. I went to bed at 9:00 AM and slept 'til 3:00 PM. So I did very well. This has been a fierce day, raining hard all night and all day long. In the evening I printed a bunch of pictures, the first for a long time. I have all kinds of paper now; so I expect to have many pictures soon. I went to bed about 10:30. Good Nite!
Thursday, August 14, 1919
I was up at 6:30 AM and had a fine night's sleep. Those new beds sure do agree with me. It was kind of hard at first to get used to them. I went to work at 8:00 AM and was busy all day--but didn't accomplish very much. Our big engine is on the bum, a bad crack in one of the cylinders. They are trying to patch it up, but I don't think they can make much of a success with it. The small engine is not of much use for long distance work. I was off watch at 4:00 PM. The rest of the day I loafed. I went to bed about 10:30, the usual time.
Friday, August 15, 1919
I was up again at 6:30 AM. It's pretty warm this morning. I went to work at 8:00, and all morning I was putting protective devices on small motors. I quit work at noon and the rest of the afternoon was spent in sleeping and resting. I went swimming about 4:00 PM. The water was kind of cool, but it's fine after you get used to it. I went on watch at 5:30 and we were kept on the jump. I received many messages from Peking and Cavite. I was relieved at midnight.
Saturday, August 16, 1919
I didn't get up today until noon, not until the dinner bell rang. So I had one lovely sleep. I am beginning to enjoy sleeping in those beds. They seem to improve every day. All afternoon I was busy in my developing room, fixing up lights so as to make printing a little easier. I quit work about 4:00 PM, had a little snooze and slept until the lights came on. Then I started in to print. We printed 110 pictures in the evening, a pretty good job. I still have many orders to fill. I stopped printing at 10:30 and then laid fown for an hour's snooze.
Sunday, August 17, 1919
I was pulled out of bed at midnight, and I sure hated to come out of bed--but no could help it. I worked this morning, copied many, many messages from Cavite and Peking. I also sent a bunch to the USS New Orleans, but I had a hard time doing it because there was a very poor operator on the other end. It's just 5:15 AM; so I'm going to write a letter home. At 8:00 I went off watch. It was raining and the wind was blowing up a gale. I went to bed about 10:00 AM and slept 'til 2:30 PM. I had dinner at 4:00 PM. In the evening I printed a bunch of pictures, about 120 of them. These are going to get mailed to the States--for one of the civilians. It's still raining as hard as ever, and the wind's blowing strong.
Monday, August 18, 1919
I was up and ready for the day's work at 8:00 AM. All morning I was busy with messages and also quite a bit of business with the transport Thomas, which is due in tomorrow morning some time. The transport has 195 sacks of mail for Vladivostok; so I ought to get some. This noon while working with Cavite, the large generator burned out due to a back surge from the arc. This will put the station out of commission for about 24 hours. The small 60 horsepower engine is all adrift, and it's being overhauled. The big set just had to go broke when I was in the middle of an important message, one requesting relief for the station, and that concerns me. So it's important! Now it's sleep time.
Tuesday, August 19, 1919
I was called up at 5:30 AM to go to Vladivostok. I had to go in to get a "chink" for the station. He is just going to be for the operators, and all he will have to do is keep our rooms clean and make the beds. Notice that the word "bunks" is omitted. I got the "chink" OK, a young fellow about 20 years old about 1:00 PM and went down to the Army base to get some supplies, also to see if there was any mail. There was! I got three letters--one from Cousin Alice, also a post card from Aunt Ella. I sure was glad to get the mail, but one letter was missing--the one from my sweetheart. The mail was all soiled; so that's the reason I didn't get any more. But I expect THE letter tomorrow or the next day. While at the base I had a good swim and another on the way home. I strung a line over the stern. I went over the side and dragged behind for a distance of about two miles: it's great sport. I went on watch at 5:00 PM and had lots of work.
Wednesday, August 20, 1919
I didn't get up today 'til about 1:00 PM. I certainly had a lovely sleep and enjoyed it immensely. A good sleep does me more good than anything--except a X from my little girl in San Francisco. All afternoon was spent in decorating the mess hall, as the YMCA is going to give us a show this evening. The show started about 9:00 PM, and it sure was good. They had a few Ruskie comedians and jugglers--about the best I've ever seen. There were about nine Red Cross nurses; so after the show they had a little feed and then a dance. It had been so long since I have danced that I got cold feet and wouldn't tackle it. But I enjoyed watching them very much. The party lasted 'til 11:30. Then all went home.
Thursday, August 21, 1919
I went on watch at midnight, and I feel very sleepy. But I soon got over that as there was lots of work to be done. I was kept on the jump all night. I went off watch at 8:00 AM. Today six fellows were transferred to San Francisco via the USTS Thomas: Ahern, West, Power, Marshall, and two Filipino boys. Gee how I would like to go with them. But my day is coming soon. I moved down to my new room this morning. This is a little better. One other fellow is with me, and I have a nice big brass double bed and all kinds of room. All day was spent in sleep. My new bed seems to agree with me very well. I went swimming this afternoon, and now to bed at 10:00.
Friday, August 22, 1919
I was up at 6:00 AM--rather early but I required no more sleep. I had chow at 7:30 and went to work at 8:00. I did a good morning's work. I worked all day from 8:00 to 4:00. I guess my mind is failing after I made an error writing this log: got my days mixed up. In the evening I printed a bunch of pictures, about 180, but I spoiled many of them on account of the acid turning bad. I went to bed at 11:00.
Saturday, August 23, 1919
I got up this morning at 8:00 AM and worked 'til noon. I did a little work on the transmitter, and the rest of time I was tearing down old telegraph lines--and it sure was hot work. After dinner I took the truck to Podnosia and went in swimming. I had a good, long swim. I was in the water about two hours. This evening Johnson from the USS New Orleans came to the station to visit for a few days. I was on watch from 5:00 PM 'til midnight.
Sunday, August 24, 1919
I was up this morning just in time for breakfast at 9:00. About half and hour later a bunch from the station, including myself, went over to the hospital to have a a game of ball with the soldiers. The game lasted 'til 5:00 PM; and, best of all, we won the game. After the game we all had a swim. Five of us went on a race--a quarter of a mile. I came in second. Johnson was first. We returned to the station about 7:00 and managed to scrape up some chow. Supper bell was over.
Monday, August 25, 1919
I got up at midnight, and I sure hated to get up as I was just beginning to sleep good. I was kept on the go pretty near the whole watch, and when I wasn't working, I was writing to Lucy. I went off watch at 8:00 AM, went to bed about 9:00, and slept 'til about 2:00 PM. After I got up, a bunch of us went swimming, and the water was great. In the evening I printed a bunch of pictures, but most of them turned out bad: the paper was no good.
Tuesday, August 26, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and had lots of work to do all day, fixing up reports, working on the apparatus, and sending and receiving messages. I was sure glad when 4:00 PM came so that I could get away from the mad house. We had our usual swim and lots of fun. We were fooling around on a raft, and we got the raft too far from shore and couldn't get it back because the wind was against us. So we had to swim just about half a mile. In the evening, I printed more pictures.
Wednesday, August 27, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM but didn't do very much. I just made out a few reports and then went over the apparatus to see that everything was OK. I knocked off work at noon. All afternoon was spent in reading--and sleeping mostly. I got up at 4:00 PM and went on watch and was kept busy 'til midnight. I am always glad when my time is up so that I can crawl into my bed. It was pretty warm at midnight. The temperature seldom goes below 90 degrees anymore--and during the day much higher.
Thursday, August 28, 1919
I was real lazy this morning and didn't get up 'til 9:30. I got up and had a nice cold shower. I just got finished when they called me down to the dock to help them get a large pulley from the boat. It only weighed 1500 pounds. Four of us had to get out in the water and push it to shore and it sure was some job. But we made it all right. After dinner we took the boat out in the bay and went swimming. The water was very warm and pretty rough--but great! I printed pictures in the evening.
Friday, August 29, 1919
I got up at 12:30 AM to go on watch, but I had to be called twice before I woke up. It's raining very hard this morning. I received a real surprise yesterday: our doctor who had been visiting the interior of Siberia met a fellow who knew my brother. He told the doc that my brother had married a Russian girl. I sure was surprised to hear this. He also said that he was going home on the next transport. I went off watch at 8:00 AM, went to bed about 9:00, and slept 'til about 6:00 PM--some nice, long sleep; believe me. In the evening I laid around for a while and went to bed about 9:30. I received two very welcome letters this evening--one from home and the other from Lucy.
Saturday, August 30, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was kept on the go all day. I had quite a bit of work to do on the apparatus. I sent no messages today on account of Cavite being busted down, something evidently had gone wrong with his engine, for he was heard no more today. Just as I was going off watch at 4:00 PM, I received a telegram from my Brother Francis at Spass koe (Spassk-Dal'nil ?), asking me to meet him at the American Consul Monday at noon. I asked the CO for liberty and it was granted. So I have from Monday AM to Tuesday PM. This evening I printed a bunch of pictures.
Sunday, August 31, 1919
I was up at 8:30 AM and had breakfast at 9:00. About 10:30 I and five others went on a hike up to the underground barracks and forts. We all managed to get past the guards and into the fort before anyone saw us. We went all through the fort, and it sure was some experience. The only way we could get through the place without getting lost in the passages was by the aid of string. We tied the string near the entrance, and when we wanted to get back we would follow the string. The passages were cold and very dark. We must have walked at least a mile underground. The place was fixed up fine with tile floors and all drained. We spent about six hours underground and the experience was wonderful. We got back to the station at 4:00 PM and went on watch. Nothing much was doing all evening on account of Cavite being out of commission.
Monday, September 1, 1919
I was up at 5:15 AM, and I left the station at 5:30 to catch the 6:20 boat at Podnosia. Punchen was with me. We got to Podnosia just in time to see the boat leave--just three minutes too late. That sure made me feel kind of punk. I telephoned the station and tried to get a boat to come to Podnosia from Vladivostok, but I couldn't make connections. Francis was on board the USS New Orleans, finding out if I had left the station. I was able to communicate with him through phone and telegraph. I had to wait until 12:30 PM before a boat left for Vladivostok, and it sure was a long wait. I got to Vladivostok about 8:20 and went up to the YMCA to see if Francis was there, but there was no sign of him. I went on board the New Orleans to see if he left any word there. They said that he would wait for me at the YMCA. I went up to Headquarters and phoned all over town, but got no results. l So I went to the YMCA to rest. I was just going to write him a note before going to town to tell him to wait for me when he walks in with his wife. I sure was glad to see him. We had dinner together and later went for a machine ride. About 9:00 he went down to the Red Cross to stay for the night, and I went out also, looking for a place to sleep.
Tuesday, September 2, 1919
I got up at 7:00 AM after some night's sleep! It was impossible to get a room anyplace; so I went up to Army Headquarters. In the back of the building there were a couple of machines. I got in the backseat of one and Red was in the front seat. Despite all that, we both slept very good. It got kind of cold once or twice, but that didn't bother us. I got up to the American Consul about 9:00 to wait for Francis. He showed up about 10:00. We had to wait quite a while getting the passports fixed up. He had to go down to the Expeditionary Building to get some papers; so his wife and I waited at the Consul. He was back in about an hour. Everything was fixed up about noon, and we went out and had some chow. Then I went down to the dock to meet our boat, but got there just too late. So we had wait for the Russian Island boat. We left for Ruskie Island about 4:00 PM and arrived about 5:00. The truck met us there; so we didn't have to walk out to the station. We arrived there after 5:00 and had supper at 6:00. After supper I took Francis and his wife around the station. They think it is a pretty nice place. All evening we all had a very pleasant time, and Francis surely has a fine wife. Although she doesn't speak much English, they get along fine. They are also very much in love with each other. I left them at 10:00.
Wednesday, September 3, 1919
I got up this morning at 7:15 AM and went on watch at 8:00 and worked 'til noon. It's been raining hard all forenoon. All afternoon I spent with Francis and Olga, his wife. We had a very pleasant time all day, but could go no place on account of the heavy rain storm. So we just stayed inside and talked. Francis sure has gone through many experiences with the bolshevicks and has been wounded a few times. He has been married since January 27th, 1919. That sure is a long time to keep anything like that a secret. I think it's more than I could have done. This evening he wrote a letter to the folks, telling them all about it and telling about when he would be home. He expects to leave here in about six weeks. If such is the case, I may go with them--and I sure hope I do. And, just think, I am about to become an uncle sometime around Christmas. I'm getting old.
Thursday, September 4, 1919
I got up at 4:00 AM to get the Ford ready to take Francis to town, but I was unable to do anything as a terrible hurricane is raging. The wind is so strong that it blew out the window panes in one of the rooms. The storm kept up 'til this afternoon, and then the wind stopped blowing, and the sun came out. So Francis, Olga, and I went for a little stroll around the station grounds. We couldn't go very far as the roads are very muddy and wet. I went on watch at 5:00 PM. Francis and his wife stayed with me 'til about 9:30 and then went over to the other building. I was kept pretty busy 'til midnight when I was relieved. I then went to bed for a few hours sleep.
Friday, September 5, 1919
I was up at 4:15 AM. I got the Ford ready to leave at 5:15. I pulled Francis out of the hay pile at 4:30. We had a little breakfast and then left for Podnosia, arriving there just in time to catch the boat. I took two officers in with me also. The boat left about ten minutes after we arrived. I am in hopes of seeing Francis again in about a month and also going back home with them on the same transport. After I got back to the station I went to bed for a few hours as I have to make another trip to Podnosia. I left the station at 11:00 AM and was back a little after noon with the officers.
Saturday, September 6, 1919
I went on watch at midnight and was very busy the whole watch with all kinds of messages coming and going. I didn't even have a chance to write a short letter home. I went off watch at 8:00 AM and went to bed shortly after the supper had passed--and, believe me, I sure slept sound. This evening I printed a bunch of pictures and had very good luck, only spoiling a few of them. I went to bed about 10:30.
Sunday, September 7, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM, and the whole day I was kept on the jump--messages of all kinds. I managed to get pretty near all the files clear. Peking is about the only station that is not clear and probably will not be cleared tonight. Mail came in this evening, but none for me. All evening I was fixing up my pictures. I went to bed early as my leg is bothering me considerably.
Monday, September 8, 1919
I was up at 7:15 AM, had breakfast at 7:30, and went to work at 9:00. I did a little work on the transmitter and later worked on the truck. It was busted down yesterday. I finished at 11:00 and had some chow. Then I relieved an operator on watch for him to have chow. All afternoon I tried to sleep. I went on watch at 4:00 PM and was kept pretty busy all watch, but managed to get time to write a letter home to the folks. I was relieved at midnight, but didn't go to bed until 1:30 AM.
Tuesday, September 9, 1919
I was up again at 4:30 AM after not getting much sleep. I had to make a trip to Vladivostok to get the mail and a few other things for the station. I got the old Ford out and left at 5:00 AM. I left the Ford at Podnosia and arrived in Vladivostok about 9:40. I went up to the American Consul and got a bunch of mail, more than I could carry. I got back to the station about 1:00 PM. I only got one letter, and that was from Mother. I also got a package of photo supplies. This evening I printed a few pictures and all of them turned out fine. I went to bed at 10:30--very much sleepy.
Wednesday, September 10, 1919
I went on watch at midnight after not getting any sleep. That darn leg of mine is bothering a little. This was another busy night. I was kept busy all night, on the go from the time I went on watch 'til I was relieved at 8:00 AM. I went to bed about 9:00 and slept all day. I didn't wake up 'til supper time. It was pretty cool all day, and I have noticed that it's getting colder every day. This evening I printed quite a few pictures and had very good results--only a few were spoiled. I went to bed about 10:00.
Thursday and Friday, September 11 and 12, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM. This was a pretty easy day on the telegraphing end. The files were pretty well cleared up. So I spent most of the time in going over the machines. This evening we are going to have a dance at the station. A bunch of the Red Cross nurses are coming out, also some of the girls from the YMCA. They are supposed to get here about 9:00 PM. After going off watch I was busy helping to decorate one of the rooms. I also helped to make the ice cream. Our motorsailer has gone to Vladivostok to get the party. They arrived here about 9:00. They were delayed on account of running into a storm. The party was soon in full swing with everyone enjoying themselves. I danced a few dances, but I had to quit. It's been too long since I've done any dancing. The party lasted 'til 1:00 AM. I was sent in charge of returning the party to Vladivostok. I arrived there about 4:00 AM. After leaving Vladivostok our engine busted down, and we drifted about five miles to the south. When daylight came we fixed up the engine and got back to the station at 8:30. All were very well tired out. I slept all day 'til 5:00 PM.
Saturday, September 13, 1919
Last night it started to storm, and all day a very strong wind was blowing and very heavy rain. It certainly was a miserable day. So most of the day I spent in sleeping and reading. I didn't feel much like doing anything else. This evening I printed some more pictures. Soon I will have my orders all completed and will be printing some for myself. The storm is still with us only worse than ever. I can hardly stand up against the wind. I turned in at 9:30 PM.
Sunday, September 14, 1919
I went on watch at midnight. I sure hated to get up, especially on such a stormy night, for it sure is a storm. It keeps increasing in fury all the time, and has turned into a regular hurricane. It was also a busy night for me. This used to be the easiest watch, but it has changed to the heaviest of them all. I went off watch at 8:00 AM and went to bed at 10:00. I got up at 3:00 PM, but I won't stay up very long as it is too cold, and the bed is very inviting.
Monday, September 15, 1919
I was called up at 5:00 AM. The storm caused a large aerial lead to break, but I could do nothing with it. I have to wait 'til I can get more help. So I went back to bed. The storm is just as bad as ever. It blew some of the tin off the roof and is doing other damage. I went on watch at 8:00 AM, and at 10:00 we had the aerial fixed OK. It sure was a wet job. I had to change all my clothes. I didn't have much work today; so I wrote a nice long letter to my Lucy, the first for pretty near two weeks. I went off watch at 4:00 PM, and I was in bed at 9:30.
Tuesday, September 16, 1919
I got up real early this morning at 2:30 AM, and at 3:00 I was on my way to Vladivostok. I had five hard miles to hike to the English camp. The boat can't stop at Podnosia on account of bad weather. Another fellow and I had to go in to get some fresh provisions, as we are pretty near out of everything. It took us about two hours to make the trip and it sure was muddy. We arrived at Vladivostok about 8:00. I spent pretty near all day in walking from one place to another. I had to walk because the other means of transportation are very poor. I stayed at the YMCA for the night. I sure was ready for the hay pile after getting up so early and hiking all day. It makes one tired.
Wednesday, September 17, 1919
I got up fairly early this morning, about 6:30 AM, after sleeping pretty good. I walked around town for about two hours before breakfast; so I had a very good appetite when the time for chow came. I spent part of my time in the Bdalia (?) district, and there is no wonder there are so many deaths here: everything is very dirty and filthy. I made about three trips out to the American Consul to get mail, but nothing doing--no had any. I was all finished with work at 2:00 PM; so I left in the motorsailer for the station, arriving there about 4:30. I went to my hay pile about 7:30, real tired, and it sure felt good to get back in my old bed once more.
Thursday, September 18, 1919
I was up at midnight and on watch shortly after. It was a pretty busy night and I was kept on the go all the time. It was very cold all night. I had to go down to the engine room every once in a while to get warmed up. This is the coldest night we have had since last winter. The temperature went down to 49 at 4:00 AM. I was relieved at 7:00 and went to bed about 10:00. I slept 'til 4:00 PM, read a book for a while, and then got up. This evening the whole gang congregated and we had a debate on prohibition. It sure was some argument. It lasted 'til 10:30 PM. I don't know which side won; I guess it was pretty even.
Friday and Saturday, September 19 and 20, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM. All morning we were busy copying press from Honolulu, also a bunch of messages. We intercepted everything for this station, and when Cavite (A naval station in the Philippeans) gets them, all we have to do is OK them. All afternoon I was busy working Cavite and Guam. I received and sent quite a few messages. I was relieved at 2:00 PM as I am going to relieve one of the operators this evening. So lI am going to get a little sleep. Later: I got no sleep. I went on watch again at 5:00 PM, and all evening I was busy with Cavite, Peking, and the USS New Orleans. Most of the station's force has gone to Vladivostok to a dance given at the YMCA. I am also working another fellow's shift from midnight to 8:00 AM. This is a pretty long shift, but then it doesn't happen very often. So I guess I will be able to stand it. It's just 12:00 AM; so I think I will try and write a few letters. I have pretty near an hour before there will be anything doing. I went Off watch at 8:00 AM. I sure was glad it was over. I managed to write two letters--one to Brother ED in New York and one to Francis at Spasskoe (?). All day was spent in the land of dreams. I have slept sound and didn't even hear the dinner bell or the supper bell. But I didn't miss my supper. They called me up when the bell sounded, and the chow greeted us. This evening I went out for a truck ride, and it was a fine ride. I was all done at 11:00.
Sunday, September 21, 1919
I was up at 7:00 AM and had breakfast at 7:30. The whole station force has to "turn to" today. We are taking our motor sailer out of the water for repairs. It took us about three hours to get the boat out of the water, and it sure was some job, also a lot of pulling. We were all finished at noon. I slept, having nothing else to do, and besides I was pretty tired. We are have much work these days--in fact a little too much. This evening I took the whole station force for a ride. This is about the only recreation we get these days--now that the swimming season is over.
Monday, September 22, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and had lots of work today. All forenoon I was copying stuff from Honolulu and other stations, trying to pick up some information about relief for this station, but nothing as yet. All afternoon I was sending messages to Cavite and other stations and ships. I was relieved at 4:00 PM. There's nothing much doing at the station; so I went to bed about 8:30. It's getting a little too cold to hang around and bed is the best, best place I know of in this country.
Tuesday, September 23, 1919
I was on watch again at 8:00 AM. All morning I was busy overhauling all the circulation g pumps and motors. I also was fixing up some of the large transfer switches, and a few other things--just giving things a general overhauling. One of the other operators took the watch while I was doing this work. I was relieved at 4:00 PM. This evening I took the gang for another truck ride. It was a fine, clear night. I only wish I could have been in the good old USA.
Wednesday, September 24, 1919
I went on watch at 4:00 AM. This sure is some time to be going on watch! I am taking on part of this watch on account of one of the operators being sick. I was kept on the jump the whole time I was on. We have many messages these days. I was off at 8:00 AM and thence to bed where I spent many happy hours in peaceful slumber. I was up again in time for supper, and I went on watch again at 6:00 PM and worked 'til midnight--and much work was did. "LS" (?)
Thursday, September 25, 1919
This while day was all to myself, and I did nothing but take things very much easy. All I did was eat and sleep. I also laid out in the warm sun for many hours, snoozing. It sure was fine until it got cool and then I went to bed and read a few shot stories in one of the magazines and fell asleep. I was brought back to life by the sound of the musical chow bell. I had supper and after that I went to Podnosia with the gang to see a show given by some Ruskies. It was pretty fair, even though I couldn't understand it.
Friday, September 26, 1919
I went on watch at midnight and was kept busy copying messages from the USS New Orleans, Peking, and Cavite. In between times we were trying to get the transports. We are all very anxious to get in communication with them to find out if they have any relief on board for us. At 4:00 AM one of the generators went on the bum, and we had to call out some of the gang. At 5:30 I took a few fellows to Podnosia in the Ford to get mail and some other stuff. I went off watch at 8:00 AM. I went to bed after lunch and slept 'til 5:00 PM. Then I took some fellow's watch from 8:00 PM 'til midnight. This evening I received three very welcome letters--two from home and one from my sweetheart. This was the first mail for pretty near a month.
Saturday, September 27, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM. This has been another busy day with all kinds of messages. Most of them are in code and very long. These are all going to the USS New Orleans. It's hard stuff to copy, as there is no chance for guessing. The USS New Orleans is due to arrive at Kobe (?) some time tomorrow. I sure was glad when my watch was up. This evening the whole gang is practicing singing. They wanted to take the truck for a ride, but nothing doing. Some Ruskie officer put in a complaint that the sailors were making a disturbance on the island. The said disturbance was in the form of singing. So the gang is now practicing up and they are going to raise HELL on the next outing.
Sunday, September 28, 1919
I was up at 8:30 AM for breakfast. I didn't have a very peaceful sleep as some of the gang were up all night having a vodka party. I guess pretty near everyone at the station was kept awake by them. Some one of the gang took the truck out, but they didn't get very far, for they ran into a stump about fifty feet from the garage. The engine must have gone on the bum, for they had to leave it where it was. So now someone is going to get "H"; and it will probably make it hard for everyone at the station. I went to work today at noon and will go off at midnight. I cleared (I assume this means that the message was received intact) the following ships and stations: Cavite, Cordova, Alaska, Peking, China, USS Wilmington, USS New Orleans, and Aoki, Japan. The New Orleans is arriving at Kobe at 5:30 in the afternoon. During this time a great many messages were exchanged and most of them very important.
Monday and Tuesday, September 29 and 30, 1919
I was up about 10:00 AM, but didn't do much all day. I made two trips to Podnosia to get supplies in the truck. They are having a great deal of trouble in Vladivostok and the offices. I had told the commanding officer to take every precaution for the protection of the station as no telling what may happen. About 8:30 or 8:45 PM I was just starting to write a letter to my sweetheart when I heard three shots, all fired in close succession. I got up and turned out the light in my room and then went into the marines' room to see that they were all up. It didn't take them long to get on their clothes and get set. The sentry challenged two Russians and told them to halt, but they ran into the bushes and got away in the darkness. Then two more jumped up from another direction. They were fired upon, but I don't know whether they got them or not. While everybody was getting armed, one of the electricians was shot in the leg, Ramshon. It was accidental (friendly fire). The fellow who had the revolver got excited, and they were trying to put out some of the lights because the only way they could put them out was by shooting them out. The bullet went through the fleshy part of his leg, but didn't strike the bone. The doctor came up from the pump house with some stuff, and on the way up he saw two more Ruskies beating it through the bushes. We got the fellow that was shot fixed up, and now he is resting very easy. I went to my station which is in charge of the complete power house and radio room. I was kept very busy trying to get a message to the HMS Carlise, but I had great difficulty in getting it through on account of persistant interference from the Japs. They refused to give them permission to work. I sure cussed those darn Japs. We have all the marines stationed all aroung the statiion in a skirmish line, and I pity anyone who should attempt to get even near the station. At 1:00 PM nothing more happened; so all was sounded secure. The lights were turned on at 11:30 PM. Three armed men were sent down to guard the pump house. On the way down they heard a truck approach the station. It came to within a thousand yards of the station and about six men were let out as near as I could judge. The men returned to the station and reported what happened. The alarm was again sounded and all the lights were put out. A skirmish line was once more formed. The truck was very suspicious as it had no lights, and the engine was muffled and could barely be heard. At 11:50 I managed to get hold of the operator at the intelligence office at Vladivostok. I told him what had happened and to send assistance--also to take wounded men to the hospital. At 1:00 AM our truck left the station to go to Podnosia. It returned at 3:00. No one was bothered, and no one was seen. So all was sounded secure once more. I was on watch until 8:00 AM. After breakfast, I took a walk around the station and found that instead of a truck coming to the station that it was a large touring car instead. I went to bed at 10:00, dead tired, and slept 'til 6:00 PM. I stayed up for three or four hours and then went back to bed.
Wednesday and Thursday, October 1 and 2, 1919
I went on watch at 8:00 AM and was kept on the jump all the time. There was much work being done. I got some information today about the shooting the other night. It seems as though two girls were coming down to the station after dark that night. The sentry told them to halt, but evidently they got frightened and ran. Quite naturally the sentry fired on them. BUT! The big question is were they girls? Some of the fellows said they were talking to them, and the girls said they were coming down to the station to see one of the fellows. Maybe they were. But does that explain why two other Russians were seen directly in back of the station? Also the touring car proposition? I guess not! About half an hour before the shooting, an old woman, one of our working women, was passing the station. She said that she saw two fellows looking into my window. She also saw another fellow up on the hillside. This was only a short while before the shooting, and yours truly was sitting at the desk opposite that window. Oh boy! It's a great life if you don't weaken. Another woman a little distance from the station also reported that she saw three men hurrying up the road about a half hour after the shooting. At the time of the shooting, these two fellows were distinctly seen by many of the fellows at the station. They were also fired upon. It's pretty hard to get them at night, especially that night as it was pitch dark. So much for that! There is still considerable trouble in Vladivostok, and there aren't very many people on the streets. And when there are, they go in bunches. I haven't been in town for quite a while, and I sure have no desire to going. The station is bad enough, goodness knows. I sure wish I was on my way away from here. Things are much too uncertain for me. And there will be no sleeping in peace until I am out of this country. We all have to trust our lives to the Great Beyond. I went on watch at 4:00 PM. I have been trying to get hold of the USAT Great Northern. We are expecting relief on her, and I sure hope she has them. I went off watch at 8:15 and slept peacefully all night--with one eye open. It's a great life!
Friday, October 3, 1919
I got up about 10:00 AM and went over to the power house where I was kept busy all afternoon, I have been copying many long code messages from the intelligence office at Vladivostok. All these messages have to be resent to the USS New Orleans, which is at Kobe, Japan, and is supposed to leave today for Vladivostok. I will be glad when she is back, as there are no American vessels in port. This evening I and a bunch of marines went for a stroll around the country. We were all armed with automatics, and it was a good that we were, for we ran into a bunch that had no use for Americans. A lot of valuable information was learned this afternoon. We returned to the station about 4:30.
Saturday, October 4, 1919
I went on watch at midnight and I sure was kept on the go 'til morning. There certainly is a great deal of messages going through this station these days, and the greater part of them are in code. I went off watch at 8:00 AM and went to bed. I slept 'til about 5:00 PM. It sure was one good sleep. After supper I and a bunch of others had to go to Vladivostok to take in some important messages, also to give the motorboat an engine a test. This was the first time it has been run for about a week. We had the boat on the wharf, giving it a good overhauling. Things in Vladivostok were very unsettled, and there weren't very many people on the streets. We all kept together in one bunch. I had my Colt with me, and it was ready for action. We left Vladivostok at 11:00 AM and arrived back at the station at 1:30 PM. I had my blankets with me; so I slept most of the way. G. N.
Sunday, October 5, 1919
I was up at 7:10 AM and went on watch at 7:50. I was on watch for about an hour when they came after me to take charge of unloading the coal from the barges. I was doing this all day and all evening up to 9:30 PM. In the evening I was stringing up search lights and other lights so that they could see to bring the cars of coal up from the dock. We had Chinese unloading the coal, and Russians with horses were hauling it up to the station. Our gang did the switching and dumping. After the work was over, the gang took the truck for a joy ride, but yours truly went to bed at 10:30 after having a good bath. We got most of the coal taken off.
Monday, October 6, 1919
I got up at the usual time this morning and had some chow. Then I got my testing instruments ready as I have to go out on the line. Our telegraph line has been out of commission for a few days. Someone is cutting the line all the time. I was kept hiking all over the island. At noon the truck brought me some lunch, also some food for the soldiers who were with me. We put in two new lines from one side of the island to the station, and it was sure some job, especially on a day like this: It has been raining pretty near all day, and there's a high wind blowing. After cutting in the new lines, they worked fine, but we still have no connection with Vladivostok. I expect to get it working tomorrow. At least we're going to try. I went to bed about 8:30--good and tired.
Tuesday and Wednesday, October 7 and 8, 1919
This is another stormy day, a devil of a day to go out and test. I left the station at 9:15 in the motorboat, and believe me it was rough. There was a regular sea running, as the wind was blowing about 60 miles an hour. We got to the Jap island OK. The first thing we did was to try to get dry. We went up to a Ruskie's house and asked permission to come in to get dry, also to get some chow. While chow was being prepared, some police arrived. So they were just in time to get some chow. After chow we left there in the New Orleans boat to do some testing on the other side of the Jap island. We made tests but got no results. All the lines were hopelessly grounded on account of the rain. We returned to Podnosia with the soldiers in the New Orleans boat and returned to the station, arriving there in time for supper. I received four very, very welcome letters from home and Lucy. I was reading Lucy's letter when the sentry yelled, "Halt" and "To Arms." Shots were fired. You can just bet that the lights went out in a hurry, and in two seconds I had my little 45 strapped around my waist with plenty of ammunition. I got out just in time to hear another shot fired, not far from the station. Men were sent all over the hills, but no one was found. I pity them if they were found, as we sure were sore. It was a cold, dark, rainy night. I didn't even take the time to put on shoes or a coat or hat. I went out just as I was. This sure is getting to be one "H" of a joint. But I should worry? Wednesday all day I have been busy working on a receiver. I am building a receiving set for one of the Czechoslovak stations down the line. They want to get in communication with our station as they are expecting trouble on the line in a short while. I was working on the job 'til 5:30 PM. This evening I have been writing letters to my sweetheart. It's just as stormy as ever--doesn't seem to let up any. Good News today! I expect to be on the way home about November 1.
Thursday, October 9, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM and was busy all day working on the receiving set for the Czechs. It sure is some job trying to make something out of nothing. I only have two more days to complete the thing. I may be able to finish it--only maybe. This afternoon the Senop (?) sent a message to the flagship to send relief to the radio station immediately. A half hour after we got the message, the flagship said "That sure is some speed". The flagship is at Manilla. I expect to get and answer tomorrow. This evening I went on watch from 8:00 PM to midnight. I am working part of another fellow's watch. The other fellow has gone to Vladivostok to see Red, the guy who was shot in the leg.
Friday, October 10, 1919
I was up and at work at the usual time. All day I worked on the receiver and there sure is a bunch of work attached to it. It will be many days before I am finished with it. Today about noon we received a telegram, saying that all men must be released from the Naval Reserve force, and the information was welcome. Man, that sure was good news. We all expect to go home on the USAT Logan, which is due to arrive here about the end of the month. This evening I printed a few pictures and had some pretty good success.
Saturday, October 11, 1919
I did a lot of work today on the receiver, spending the greater part of the time winding coils for it, but I have that finished now. So I am now working on the cabinet, and I'm getting along pretty well with it. There certainly is a bunch of work attached to it. I guess I will have to work on it tomorrow. Saturday afternoon is a holiday and no work is supposed to be done, but I had to stick to the receiver because the Czechs are in a hurry to get it. And I was eager to get it to them, as there are a bunch of American boys out where they are, and it may be for their safety as well. I went to bed early--at least I'm going to try. G.N.
Sunday, October 12, 1919
I got up at 9:00 AM and went to work shortly after. It's a devil of a note to have to work on Sunday, but the CO is anxious to get the receiving set finished. So I had to work. I worked on it 'til 2:00 PM and then quit. I had a good bath and shave and had dinner at 4:00. It has been dark and cloudy all day, and about 6:00 a storm let loose. And it sure did rain and pour with a lot of thunder and lightning. I spent a good deal of the evening in reading the Frisco papers. It sure is good to read the papers from home. I had to get out my heater this evening as it is getting pretty cold. The same, day in and day out. At 10:00 I was in bed.
Monday, October 13, 1919
I went to work at 8:00 AM and was busy on the receiving set all day. I expect to have it finished in about two days. I will be glad when it is done, as I am wondering what the next job will be. It has been pretty cool all day, and the sun was out for only a short while. This evening about 8:00 PM our motor sailer arrived with a load of stores. So all hands had to muster out and haul stores. We filled three flat cars. It sure is some job pulling them up the grade. We're getting all kinds of chow these days. I wrote letters and then went to bed.
Tuesday, October 14, 1919
I went to work on my receiver at 8:00 AM and was kept busy 'til 11:00 when I had to quit because I had to go to Podnosia in the truck to take the CO in. I got back from Podnosia about 2:00. It was hard going as the roads are in fierce condition. After arriving at the station I received a telegram from Vladivostok to have the truck come to Podnosia to get a load of stores. Our motor sailer is too heavily loaded to make the trip in heavy seas. I had a dickens of a time getting through some of the mud holes, but the old engine pulled me through OK. I got back in time for supper. It is getting very cold. We have to wear overcoats all the time we're out.
Wednesday, October 15, 1919
I sure hated to get up this morning, for it certainly was cold, but of course not as cold as it will get in a few weeks from now. I worked all day on the receiver; it is coming along pretty nice. I expect to have it finished very shortly. There's more work one of those things than a person would expect. The commanding officer asked me this evening if I wouldn't go out to install the receiving set and also a transmitter. I told him I would providing I didn't have to stay there. I don't know the name of the place, but it's between 300 and 700 miles inland. That sure would be a trip worth while, but I'm not sure whether I will go or not. I have to find out about the conditions along the line. I got to bed early this evening.
Thursday, October 16, 1919
This is another pretty cold morning. Every day I can notice it getting colder, and it won't be long before things start freezing. I worked all day on the receiver, and it is beginning to look like something. By tomorrow night I expect to be able to test it out, and I sure hope it will work all right. But I see no reason why it shouldn't. This is the first receiving set I have made for many years. This evening it was so cold I had to start the furnace agoing. I had the fire agoing last night for a while and we sure needed it, for it is getting cold. This evening I printed pictures and went to bed about 11:00.
Friday, October 17, 1919
I went to work this morning as usual on the receiver and worked steady on it 'til 5:30. At last I have it ready for a test. After supper I started testing on the receiver. It didn't test out as well as we thought it would. It seems to need the assistance of a large receiver to make it percolate, although there's no connection whatsoever. We made all kinds of tests and worked on it 'til 11:00 PM, and still the results expected were not attained. So we are going to give it another test tomorrow. Maybe it will do better in the daylight. G.N.
Saturday, October 18, 1919
I started the testing about 9:00 AM and made a few changes in the wiring of the instrument, obtaining better results. But it still has to work better or it will be no good. I worked 'til noon, but still got no good results. After dinner I resumed testing, and at last we got it to working fine. We had to use a different circuit. We could hear all kinds of stations. So the CO is now satisfied, and so am I. As yet I don't know whether I will go inland to install the set or not, but I expect to know within a few days. I don't know whether there will be enough funds to pay for the trip, but the information is expected soon.
Sunday, October 19, 1919
I got up and had breakfast at 9:00 AM. This certainly is a dismal day--dark, cold, wind blowing a gale, and it's raining hard. About 10:00 I went over to the power house and worked on the receiver for a while. I had to make another instrument. I worked 'til 1:00 PM and then knocked off. I don't like to work on Sunday. All afternoon I did nothing but sit around and talk--subject of bolshevism and the condition of liberty. This lasted 'til chow at 4:00. After supper the subject was when we are going home. That's the big question. Some expect to be underway in 15 days. Some others say a little onger. I myself think we will be gone from here in about 20 days--and I sure hope so. This is no place for me. 73 and 88.
Monday, October 20, 1919
I went to work on the receiving set at 8:00 AM. I have been making some new stuff for it. All afternoon the CO and I were testing it with fine results. There still have to be a few more changes made. From the looks of things I guess I will have to go inland with the set, also to install the transmitting apparatus. The trip would be all right if it didn't take so long. But two weeks riding on the train is going to be pretty long and tiresome--also darn cold. I hope I don't go.
Tuesday, October 21, 1919
I was very sleepy this morning and didn't even hear the chow bell: it's the first time I missed in a long time. I went to work about 9:00 and tested for a while in the morning. In the afternoon I made a few additional instruments. If I keep putting in more stuff, I will soon have a real receiving set. We are all in hopes of going home on the USGT Sheridan which is due to arrive here about the 30th of this month. That will bring us home just a little before Christmas. I sure hope we will be able to make it.
Wednesday, October 22, 1919
I was up and on the job at 8:00 AM but didn't do much all forenoon except run around and loaf. At noon the CO and I took the receiver out to make a final test. We went to the other side of the island. When we arrived there I found that I had left part of the apparatus at the station; so the CO took the Ford and said he would be bck in about an hour. It was 1:30. I waited until 6:30 PM and then started to hike back. I got to within a 15 minute walk of the station, and I met him. He had been detained at the station by the captain of the New Orleans. It seems our transportation was requested for the USGT Sheridan. I bet we're going home. Maybe!
Thursday, October 23, 1919
I went to work at the usual time. All forenoon I was working around the radio instruments, giving some of them a little overhauling and adjusting others. At noon the CO and I started out to test the apparatus. We were testing 'til about 3:30 PM with splendid results. After the test we went to Podnosia to pick up some fellows returning from town. Then we returned to the station. In the evening the CO and I went to the USS New Orleans to deliver the receiving set. We returned to the station about 10:30 PM. It was a cold ride.
Friday, October 24, 1919
I was real lazy this morning and didn't get out of bed 'til 10:00. I sure was sleepy. When I got on the job, they had a repair job waiting for me. Our small receiving set had gone on the bum. I worked on it 'til about 3:00 PM and did no more work for the day. I was feeling pretty bum. I think I'm getting a cold. I laid down and slept the rest of the afternoon. I got up at 5:00 PM for chow--and then back to bed.
Saturday, October 25, 1919
I started in work this morning by doing a little of everything. First I made trip in the truck to pick up the Ford which had broken down on the road. Then I was working on the truck for a while. Then I went to work in the radio room. I sent a bunch of messages that we received from Cavite to the USS New Orleans. Later, part of the afternoon was spent in sleep. I couldn't seem to get enough of it. This evening I printed a bunch of pictures for some of the fellows.
Sunday, October 26, 1919
I got up at 7:15 AM--rather early for a Sunday. All forenoon I sat out in the sun and chewed the rag with the fellows. I went on watch at 1:00 PM and stayed there 'til 9:00. I sure was busy--all kinds of messages coming and going. The admiral is coming up in the USS Brooklyn to relieve the USS New Orleans. The transport Sheridan is also coming into port, due tomorrow afternoon. She has our reliefs on board--or least there had better be our reliefs, for I sure am anxious to get out of this country. I wrote a letter to my sweetheart this evening.
Monday and Tuesday, October 27 and 28, 1919
I was on the job bright and early with lots of work to do. All morning I was working on the truck and also on other jobs. At noon I took the truck to Podnosia to get a load of stores. After getting back to the station I had to hurry and change my clothes as I have to make another trip to get some Red Cross nurses. l got down to the boat a little late, and they had started to walk to the station, but they didn't get far. I picked up 14 of them. After getting back to the station, I had to make another trip to pick up the performers, also the reliefs for the station. The reliefs were the most important ones. Shortly after getting back to the station, the show started, and it certainly was good. It was a musical sketch, and the best show I have seen for a long time. After the show we had a dance and about midnight we had some chow, and after that more dancing. The dancing lasted 'til 2:30 AM, and then we fixed up a room for the ladies to sleep in. There was no chance for them to get back to the hospital due to the weather: it was blowing up a gale, and there were too many for the small boat. After we got them fixed up, we fixed up the menfolk. Also we found a place for the draft. I put the leiutenant in my bed. Then I turned in: it was hard to sleep on top of the boss's desk, but it was the only place I could find. I got up again at 5:00 AM and at 6:00 I took some of the nurses and performers to Podnosia. At noon I took in the rest of the gang. The rest of the day I slept.
Wednesday, October 29, 1919
I was up at 9:15 AM. This has been a very busy day. I have been washing clothes most of the time, getting ready to go home in case they pass the word. We got word this evening that the Sheridan is due to sail tomorrow at noon--and if such is the case, I am going to be ready. I sure hope we will be able to get that transport home, the one we have been waiting for, for a long time. All the reliefs are getting along fine, and we don't care what happens after we leave here. I'm tired. So G.N. 73 and 80 (?)
Thursday, October 30, 1919
This has been a busy day with all kinds of excitement. All morning I have been busy washing clothes and packing up. It sure is a great feeling to pack up once more, and we sure have been waiting a long time for the word. Up to this present time there is nothing certain. Even so, we all feel pretty sure we will catch the transport home, and we all would be very disappointed if we didn't. At 2:00 PM we received this official word to pack up and be ready to leave after supper. I had to take the truck to Podnosia to get the CO and it sure was cold riding, as it was snowing all the time--just a little, not too heavy. After getting back to the station, I had a bath and finished packing up. At 6:30 PM I received my orders for transportation at 6:45, and we shoved off, to leave the station for the last time. I arrived at Podnosia and found that it was too rough to make the trip: the seas were breaking over the dock, and the wind was blowing a gale. So we had to return to the station for another night's sleep there.
Friday, October 31, 1919
It's Friday evening, and I am aboard the USAT Sheridan. We're at sea! This has been another day of excitement. We got up this morning at 5:00 AM. I was up at 4:00 to get the truck started. After having chow, we left the station at 5:30, and at 6:30 we were on our way to the USS New Orleans. We arrived there about 9:00. Shortly after arriving we had to dump everything out of our seabags for inspection. It took about an hour for inspection. After that was over, we had to lie around doing nothing, just waiting for the word to shove off. I had dinner on board the USS New Orleans. At 2:30 PM we received the order to shove off and proceed to the Army transport Sheridan. There are 13 in our draft and 113 in the New Orleans draft and about 120 in the USS Brooklyn draft. We arrived at the transport about 3:00, and at 4:30 the transport left and there sure was some cheering. I have a fine stateroom with three other fellows. I went to bed real early as I sure am tired. (Draft in the sense that my father is using it is unfamiliar to me. I assume it to mean a group of men)
Today is April 26, 2013, and Dad is on his way back to the USA on the USAT Sheridan..
Saturday, November 1, 1919
I was up bright and early at 7:00 AM and had breakfast at 7:30 and I sure was hungry. It's kind of rough out here, and we have about 90 seasick persons on board. I myself feel great. We had lunch at 12:00 noon, and all afternoon I was sleeping--and, believe me, I sure did sleep. I got up about 4:00, and at 5:30 we had supper. I'm already noticing that it's getting warmer. This evening I played cards for a while--hearts. After that I went up on deck and chewed the rag with the gang 'til about 10:00. Then I retired to my stateroom for another good night's sleep. G.N.
Sunday, November 2, 1919
It's about 10:00 PM. This sure has been a lazy day. I have done nothing but sleep and eat, and that is about all I intend to do for the rest of the trip. This has been a fine day, pretty warm, and the sea is smooth as glass. We couldn't ask for better weather, and everyone is enjoying it. I know I certainly am. I won't be long before we will have to shift into white uniforms, as we are nearing the tropics. Now I'm going to bed. G.N.
Monday, November 3, 1919
The good weather is still with us, and it certainly is grand, just as smooth as glass. The weather is getting hotter all the time. During the day we passed a few vessels and also a few islands--but they were far off. About 6:30 PM a Japanese junk hoisted a distress signal; so we stopped to see what the trouble was. She had run out of water and was lost. So we gave them plenty of water and their bearings. They wanted to go to Nagasaki, Japan, and were about 400 miles off their course. I stayed up 'til about 10:30, and then to bed.
Tuesday, November 4, 1919
I got up at 7:00 AM and had breakfast about 7:30. The good weather still hangs on, and the old ship is still plugging along at the fair speed of 11 knots. I sure wish she could do twice the speed, but I'm not complaining so long as I am on my way home and to my sweetheart. This afternoon I had a good snooze. This is sure a soft life: nothing to do but eat and sleep and enjoy the wonderful weather. We had quite a bit of rain this evening.
Wednesday, November 5, 1919
Another day is about past, and I'm another day closer to home. But there still are many days will pass before we will see the Golden Gate bridge. All day we have been off the coast of the Island of Formosa, and about 8:00 PM we passed the southern end of Formosa. At noon we were a little over 500 miles from Manilla. We are still are having wonderful weather. Late in the evening a little breeze came up, and it sure felt good. The ship is rolling a bit, but not too much. It's getting late; so I'm going to bed. G.N.
Thursday, November 6, 1919
It's about 9:00 PM, and this has been a pretty quiet day with not much stirring on board. We have had fine, smooth weather all day, but it has been much hotter than the previous days, and it will be much hotter when we get to Manilla. All afternoon we have been passing the Luzon Islands. This is where all the typhoons originate. We were about 10 miles from the islands. This evening we passed a few steamers bound north. It's too warm to stay in my stateroom; so I am going back on deck for a while. G.B.
Friday, November 7, 1919
We're at Manilla, and one leg of the journey is about over. We arrived off Manilla about 10:00 AM, passed the island of Corregador about 5:30. While passing there, an aeroplane came out to meet us. She pulled off some fancy stunts for a while and then returned to Corregador. It sure was good to see an American airplane once more. After arriving at Manilla, they sent a list around for those wanting liberty. Believe me, I put my name on it. I'm going to get a good hotel where they have a real bath tub. And when I get there, I'll get in the tub and stay there for about two hours. Also I intend to see a little of the town. It's about 10:00 PM, but it's still too warm to go to bed. So I'm going up on deck to get some air.
Saturday, November 8, 1919
I was up at 7:00 AM and getting ready to go ashore. About 10:00 we left the ship to see the sights of Manilla. We got in one of the native conveyances and rode all over the town. I also visited the walled city and many other buildings, seeing all kinds of new sights. Later in the afternoon we went to a show and saw a fine show, the best in a long time. Then we did some more walking around, also riding. In the evening I had a shave, some chow, and went to another show. Then we went out to Santa Ana, an amusement place and stayed there 'til near midnight. I got a machine to take us to the Army-Navy YMCA. Before going to bed, I had a fine, cold shower bath. And that's about all.
Sunday, November 9, 1919
I got up this morning at 5:30 and got a machine to take us down to the transport dock. We had to wait there for about an hour before the boat came out to take us back to the ship. After coming on board, I had some breakfast and then loafed around 'ltil noon. Then there was another shower. This afternoon I was feeling pretty sleepy; so I turned in and had a fine afternoon sleep. When I woke up it was time for chow. The old transport is sure loaded down with humanity. We have about 1400 troops on board, and they are packed like sardines. At 6:00 PM the anchor was weighed, and we proceeded on our journey towards home. At 9:00 PM we are passing the forts of Corregador. It got hot this evening, and I am soaking wet with sweat. I think I will go on topside for a while and cool off, and then I'll hit the hay pile. Our next stop will be Guam.
Monday, November 10, 1919
We're at sea. All day we have had perfect weather, and it's very warm. This weather sure makes one lazy. I don't feel like doing anything but sleep and I certainly am doing my share of it. I am making up for the loss of sleep at Ruskie Island. I sure am glad that I am away from that place. All afternoon we have been passing through the straits of San Bernadino. About 6:00 PM, a civilian died--cause unknown. I sat in a steamer chair 'til 11:00 and then went to bed.
Tuesday, November 11, 1919
We're still at sea. We are having the fine weather , and everything is going fine on board. Nothing much ever happens, as nothing is done except eat and sleep. It's sure a lazy life.
Wednesday, November 12, 1919
At sea. Today the weather has been a little squally and there is a sea running, but is not hindering the progress of the ship. We are making fine time, and in few days we'll be at Guam, the second stop of the journey.
Thursday, November 13, 1919
At sea! This is another day of splendid weather and another day closer to home. I sure wish the trip was over and that I was home once again. We still have about one month at sea. We expect to arrive at Guam Saturday morning.
Friday, November 14, 1919
At sea! The good weather still sticks to us and sees us speeding on our way "Homeward Bound" and to the ones I left behind. So far this has been more or less an uneventful voyage. Everything is going very smoothly.
Saturday, November 15, 1919
At Guam! We arrived at Guam about 10:00 AM. It is just a small island about 8 miles wide and about 30 miles long. It consists only of coral and lots of tropical growth and palm trees. From a distance, the island appears very flat, but upon arriving there it appears very rugged and hilly. No one was allowed to go ashore. The water of this place is claimed to be the deepest in the world. The ocean bed has never been reached. There are many sharks at the place. We left Guam about 1:30 PM for Honolulu: the last lap.
Sunday, November 16, 1919
At sea! This has been a very quiet Sunday. Most of the day I spent in my bunk, reading books. It has been very warm--almost too warm even to eat, but so far I have missed no meals. Towards evening, a little head wind and sea springs up. The old Sheridan is pitching a little--bad, but not too much.
Monday, November 17, 1919
At sea! Another day is about over. All day we have been bucking a fairly heavy head sea and wind, cutting down our speed a little. In the last 24 hours we have made about 245 miles--not a whole lot, but that much closer to home. It's still about as hot as ever, although I think it is just a little cooler. Anyhow, this beats Vladivostok by a long ways.
Tuesday, November 18, 1919
The heavy weather is still with us. It doesn't calm down or get much rougher. We are making fair headway, about 240 miles a day. But if it was smooth we would be traveling along about 275 miles per day. Every day we are getting closer to our destination, and it won't be long before the shores of the Pacific will loom up--about only eighteen days hence. It's a long time yet.
Wednesday, November 19, 1919
The heavy weather is still with us, thereby delaying the game. We don't expect to reach Honolulu 'til a week from Saturday. We should arrive at San Thomas (?) about the tenth of December. We made 222 miles for the last 24 hours.
Thursday, November 20, 1919
I left a year ago today for Vladivostok. We are still having rough weather. Today has been the roughest. The old ship has been doing some fancy stunts, rolling and pitching. We have about 2000 miles to go before we reach Honolulu. Some long trip!
Friday, November 21, 1919
All day it has been very rough, and this old ship isn't making much headway. We only made 200 miles today. At this rate it will be a long time before we reach our destination. We look for better weather in the next few days, for I sure like to be moving fast when homeward bound.
Saturday, November 22, 1919
This morning our engine was taken sick and had to take a rest for about three hours. Two steam leaks developed in the engine, but after they were fixed, we were once more speeding on our way. We made much better time today, making 206 miles. We expect to do much better now that the weather has calmed down considerably. I met an old school chum of mine this evening. He's the second engineer on the ship. His name is Tobey. We used to go to school together in 1906.
Sunday, November 23, 1919
Once more we have fine weather with us which sees us speeding on our way home. I sure will be glad when I get there, as this sure is some long trip, also a hard one. At noon today we are 3603 miles from San Francisco and 5235 miles from Vladivostok; so we are well over half way. If the good weather keeps up, we will be at Honolulu on the 29th and in Frisco on the 9th or 10th of December--and this for the happy times, 15 or 16 days from now.
Monday (Twice), November 24, 1919
The good weather is still with us and we are stepping right along. We made 251 miles today. One engine was stopped for about four hours. I hope they don't have any more trouble with them, as I don't like to be delayed. Meridian Monday, the 24th. This is our second Monday, one after the other, because we passed the international date line about 2:00 PM this afternoon. A strong wind has been blowing all day, but it is behind us and is shoving us along. This morning we had prize fights on board.
Tuesday, November 25, 1919
It's been pretty rough all day. We have been running in a heavy trough sea, and the ship is rolling considerably. This evening it rained considerably, and the weather is quite wild. Nothing much is doing on board.
Wednesday, November 26, 1919
Today they slowed the engines down so that we would arrive early Friday morning. We are still having fair weather. A fairly heavy sea is running, and the ship is making all kinds of funny motions.
Thursday, November 27, 1919
Thanksgiving Day! This is Thanksgiving Day, but we had no big feed as we were supposed to be in Honolulu today. Nevertheless, I am very thankful that we will soon be in Honolulu so that we can stretch our legs, and then we will be able to stand the last lap of our journey. We will be in Honolulu early tomorrow morning. I expect to be there for about 24 hours, and then we take the last jump.
Friday, November 28, 1919
We arrived at Honolulu about 7:45 AM. At 8:45 we were given liberty. The first thing we did was to get a room at the Alexander Young Hotel and a good bath. The we had some good chow, and then we went for a walk. We walked all over the place and later went out to the beach and had a good swim. After the swim, I went through some of the buildings, and it sure was good. Then we came back to the hotel and had a fine hot bath. Then we laid down for a while. Punshon is with me. After we got up we had some more chow. By that time it was close to 7:00 PM. After that we went up to the Symlet (?) and saw a good show. We went back to the hotel, had another bath, and then went to bed for a good night's sleep.
Saturday, November 29, 1919
We left Honolulu, and now we're at sea! I got up at 8:00 AM, had a good bath, and then had breakfast, and it sure was some breakfast. We went for a walk and then returned to the ship, as we had to be aboard by 10:00 AM. After coming on board, all the drafts had to go out on the dock to be checked. This took about an hour. Then we went on board again. At noon we shoved off from the dock and once more we are underway. The next stop will be the grand stop. We took on about 200 more passengers, and the ship sure is crowded. On Sunday we'll be in Frisco.
Sunday, November 30, 1919
At sea! Another day about over. At noon today we are 267 miles from Honolulu and 1824 miles from Frisco. Since leaving we have had fine weather, but it's pretty cold. In a few days I expect ti will be much colder as we are going north all the time. This is going to be the longest part of the journey, as the ship is so crowded that there's not a place to sit down--hardly standing room--but, then, there's only a week more of this stuff.
Monday, December 1, 1919
At sea! Another day is just about over. The good weather is still with us, but it is getting pretty cold. There's nothing much doing on board; so I spend most of my time in my bunk, a good way to pass the time away. All are anxiously waiting to pull through the Golden Gate and see Frisco once more.
Tuesday, December 2, 1919
At sea! It has been very cold all day, but the sea is fairly smooth, and we are making good headway. I sent a telegram to the folks; also one to my sweetheart. All is well on board. We had a fire drill this afternoon.
Wednesday, December 3, 1919
At sea! We are one day closer, only four more days and this trip will be over. All I will have to wait for, I think, is my discharge papers, which should not take over three days at the most. And that day I hope is soon, as I sure want to get out and be free once more.
Thursday, December 4, 1919
At sea! The usual good weather is still with us, although at times during the night and day it gets kind of squally. But it doesn't last long. We are making pretty good time, but considerably below the average. Heavy swells are running all the time.
Friday, December 5, 1919
At sea! For the last 24 hours we made about 259 miles which leaves us only 536 miles from our destination. This morning a naval officer died, the second death this trip. this evening everyone is happy and singing songs and cutting up in general. The cause? The closeness to the end of the journey. We're due to arrive Sunday at 11:30 AM.
Saturday, December 6, 1919
At sea! At noon today we are only 273 miles from San Francisco. I have all my stuff packed and ready to go ashore at any time. We should see land about 8:00 AM tomorrow. Good weather is still with us, and we are making good time.
Sunday and Monday, December 7 and 8, 1919
It's 8:00 AM, and we sighted the Farallone Islands. They are about 30 miles from San Francisco. At 11:00 AM the hills of Frisco are in sight. In about two hours we should be going through the Golden Gate. A heavy sea is running. It's 12:30 PM, and we're passing through the Golden Gate. At 1:30 we are at anchor off the dock. At 2:30 we are alongside the dock. We were all mustered on the dock and taken to Goat Island, arriving there at 5:00. At 6:30 I was given liberty. After arriving in San Francisco, I called Lucy. Then I went to Daly City (?) to see my folks, but they had gone back to the ranch. I stayed at Daly City for a while. Then I went to see Lucy, and I was certainly glad to see her and the rest of her family. We had a very enjoyable evening. I stayed at Daly City for the night. I reported at Goat Island at noon, got liberty again in the evening. I saw Lucy again this evening. It sure is great to be home again.
Tuesday, December 9, 1919
I spent all forenoon at Goat Island, waiting for some information as to when I will be discharged. This evening was spent at Lucy's, and it was indeed a happy one. I would like to write more, but there is too much to write about.
Wednesday and Thursday, December 10 and 11, 1919
After returning from Goat Island I took a stage at 3:15 PM for Morgan Hill, arriving there a little after 6:00. It was raining heavy all the way down. I was sure glad to see the folks again and they were glad to see me. We were talking 'til pretty near 2:00 AM. I had a few hours sleep and up again at 4:30 AM. Father took me to San Jose in the machine. I took the train from there to San Francisco and got over to the Island about 10:00. In the afternoon I got more liberty. As yet we don't know when we are going to be discharged. This evening was spent at Lucy's.
Friday, December 12, 1919
I got a furlough this afternoon; so I don't have to report to the Island 'til next Tuesday. I intend to go to the ranch tomorrow afternoon with Lucy. This evening was also spent at Lucy's.
Saturday, December 13, 1919
I met Lucy at 2:00 PM and at 2:30 we left for the ranch, arriving there at 5:30. We had a fine ride down and enjoyed it very much. This evening I and the rest of the folks went out to visit some friends. We returned home about 10:00 PM.
Sunday and Monday, December 14 and 15, 1919
I went to church this morning with the folks and Lucy. After returning home I went for another ride. About 6:00 PM I started home with Lucy, Father, and Lillian. I drove our machine as far as San Mateo; then I let Father drive it. We stopped at Aunt Ella's for a while, and then I took Lucy home. I stayed there 'til a little after 11:00 and then started for home again. I arrived home about 2:00 AM and went to bed. I got up again about 9:00 AM. All day Father and I were paring down a tree. It sure was hard work, as I had done no hard work like that for a long time. We cut quite a bit of wood. This evening I developed a few rolls of film and went to bed at 9:00 PM.
Monday, December 22, 1919
I was up early this morning and got over to Goat Island about 8:30. All morning I had to wait around for my release. I didn't get my release 'til 5:00 PM, and I was sure glad when I got it. So now I am free once more, but subject to call at any time. I left the Island at 5:00 PM. The evening was spent with Lucy.
Thursday, December 25, 1919
I got up this morning about 9:00 AM. All morning I did nothing but fool around. About 4:00 PM we had our dinner. This is the happiest Christmas I have ever had. There were just six of us--Mother, Father, Lillian, Francis, and his wife Olga, and myself. At 5:00 PM I left the ranch for San Francisco to spend the evening with Lucy and her folks at her brother's place. I enjoyed myself very much. I got home about 10:30. I stayed at Lucy's overnight.
Friday, December 26, 1919
I was up about 9:00 AM and left Lucy's about 10:00. I went down to the Y and at 1:40 PM I took the boat to Goat Island. I had to go over there to get the money that was coming to me. This evening was spent with Lucy and it was an enjoyable one.
Saturday, December 27, 1919
I got up real late this morning, and after getting up I went down to the masonic lodge to meet Punshon. Then we went out to get some civilian clothes. It sure is great to be a civilian once more. This evening was spent at Lucy's. Some of her cousins were there.
Sunday, December 28, 1919
I didn't get up 'til almost noon. I was real lazy this morning, but what's the use of getting up early if you don't have to. This afternoon Lucy and I took a ride to Berkeley Hills. It certainly brought back memories of past happy days--and happy days they were. I stayed at Lucy's 'til 10:30 and then departed for home.
Monday, December 29, 1919
I am lazy today and didn't get up 'til almost noon. All afternoon I did nothing but loaf around. Francis and Olga arrived from the country about 6:00 PM. Later I went out to Lucy's and spent a very enjoyable evening.
Tuesday, December 30, 1919
I did nothing today but take things easy--and that is all I intend to do for a while. This evening I went to lodge, the first time since I arrived in the city and had a very pleasant evening.
Wednesday, December 31, 1919
I got up about 9:00 AM after a very good night's sleep. About 7:00 I went downtown to get tickets for the Orpheum Theater. Francis, Olga, Lucy and I are going together. At 5:00 PM I went down to where Lucy is working to meet her. I waited a while, but there was no sign of her. So I went out to her house, thinking that probably she had gotten off early. But instead, she had to work 'til 6:00. After dinner she got ready, and we left for the show. Shortly after we got there, Francis and his wife arrived. We all enjoyed the show very much. Afterwards we walked up Market Street for a ways. Then we went to another show. There was too much of a mob to stay on the streets at midnight. We were still in the show, but we leflt shortly after. Then Francis and his wife went home. Lucy and I walked around for a while. Later we took a machine and went for a ride to the beach. Then I went home. This ended the year of 1919 happily with the best girl of all. And may the coming year bring all much happiness and great prosperity--and also may it bring the girl I love so well ever so much closer and better friends than ever, for the Lord only knows how much I care for her. God protect her and bless her.
Signed: Walter Robert Lindsay, ( Transcription completed and checked May 4, 2013 by Bill Lindsay, Walter's son, worked again August 3, 2019).
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