TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BATESVILLE DAILY GUARD JANUARY 17, 1918 P. 3
December 31, 1917
Dear Mother:
I am on the border of Central America. We left San Diego, Calif. On Christmas Eve. Been at sea ever since and haven’t been seasick yet. It has been some pleasure trip, believe me. We arrived on Salina Cruz, Mx. and staid there thirty-six hours taking oil, then we left for Panama. We have had a nice time all the way. I sat up on top deck and watched the porpoise and sword fish jump out of the water. There are thousands of them playing along our side all the time. I sure wish you could take a trip like this. We can see all the great mountain ranges along the coast.
We travel at night with all ports closed just as if we were in war zones. You can’t see any lights from outside the ship. Well, we will be in Panama tomorrow, New Year’s Day, at 11 o’clock if nothing happens, then I will finish my letter.
Wednesday Just Before Breakfast
Everything fine and dandy. We have been wearing white for four or five days and it is very hot here. The temperature is 90 degrees. We are almost in sight of Panama. I have been to breakfast now, ate two eggs and a big bowl of mush and a cup of coffee. Am hoping they give us liberty there. Wish you could have seen the Mexicans at Selina Cruz. They were all barefooted and half undressed, black as negroes and talk Spanish. They all seem to be a very happy people. I am finishing this after we have entered the canal. We have been in the great canal since 10 o’clock this morning and now it is 2 p.m. and not through yet. Some of the most beautiful scenes, prettiest green mountains I ever saw. It has rained two small showers since we started but the sun shines awful hot now.
We will soon be in the Atlantic. We are in Lake Gatom now. It is fresh water. We are through the lake now and tied up to the old dock just at the mouth on the Caribbean Sea.
The gale is roug htonight, 110 miles per hour on the South Atlantic. Supper is over and the boys are trying to get a chance to jump ship. Think I will myself.
Well, I did jump ship and went to town. Not much of a town, full of Mexicans and Indians, lots of soldiers and a few sailors. Lots of funny sights but this country is (PIECE OF PAPER MISSING) to suit me. I got two (PIECE OF PAPER MISSING) ting sleepy. Will finish later.
January 3rd, 1918.
Was too sick to write yesterday. The sea is awful rough. We will soon be to the coast of Florida. I had a good nights sleep last night. The doctor and I sleep upon the top deck house. It is so hot my eyelids blistered while I was asleep yesterday. My arms and shoulders are also blistered. Have changed our course. Will not touch the Florida coast. We will now pass through windward passage by Haiti southeast of Cuba.
Thursday Noon.
We are in sight of land now. Southeast of us in Jamaica. Haiti is on our Starboard bow. The people here are as black as our old fashioned negroes.
We are making 25 knots an hour at this speed will reach Cuba by 5 p.m. The sea was awful rough yesterday. The waves were coming over our bow. We were first one one end and then the other. The water is blue as ink and warm as milk. Flying fish are all along our side.
Well, this is a great life if a fellow don’t weaken but these rough seas make a fellows stomach feel awful weak.
Think we are going to run into a rain. The wind feels like rain and the clouds are flying low.
January 4th, Friday.
We are now passing San Salvador and Angel Islands. I am trying to issue the crew their winter clothes. Some job, believe me, to fit and suit them all. Am giving the crew their boots at this time.
January 5.
Seasick and can hardly set up. Not seasick but ocean sick. Some of the boys are so seasick they wish they were dead. I am almost that way myself but I want to see New York.
Dinner is now ready. Guess I will eat a few bites and then feed the fish.
Our executive officer says he will get us some money and give us liberty just as soon as we get in port. I sure want to see a good show and go to a good dance.
Sunday Morning.
Lots of ice floating in water and scraping our sides, cold and cloudy.
We are in port at Norfork, Va. Everything covered with snow and ice.
I must close. I will do better next time. Your son,
Earl C. Meachum,
U. S. S. Caldwell, Norfolk, Va.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY ISAAC WOLTER
December 31, 1917
Dear Mother:
I am on the border of Central America. We left San Diego, Calif. On Christmas Eve. Been at sea ever since and haven’t been seasick yet. It has been some pleasure trip, believe me. We arrived on Salina Cruz, Mx. and staid there thirty-six hours taking oil, then we left for Panama. We have had a nice time all the way. I sat up on top deck and watched the porpoise and sword fish jump out of the water. There are thousands of them playing along our side all the time. I sure wish you could take a trip like this. We can see all the great mountain ranges along the coast.
We travel at night with all ports closed just as if we were in war zones. You can’t see any lights from outside the ship. Well, we will be in Panama tomorrow, New Year’s Day, at 11 o’clock if nothing happens, then I will finish my letter.
Wednesday Just Before Breakfast
Everything fine and dandy. We have been wearing white for four or five days and it is very hot here. The temperature is 90 degrees. We are almost in sight of Panama. I have been to breakfast now, ate two eggs and a big bowl of mush and a cup of coffee. Am hoping they give us liberty there. Wish you could have seen the Mexicans at Selina Cruz. They were all barefooted and half undressed, black as negroes and talk Spanish. They all seem to be a very happy people. I am finishing this after we have entered the canal. We have been in the great canal since 10 o’clock this morning and now it is 2 p.m. and not through yet. Some of the most beautiful scenes, prettiest green mountains I ever saw. It has rained two small showers since we started but the sun shines awful hot now.
We will soon be in the Atlantic. We are in Lake Gatom now. It is fresh water. We are through the lake now and tied up to the old dock just at the mouth on the Caribbean Sea.
The gale is roug htonight, 110 miles per hour on the South Atlantic. Supper is over and the boys are trying to get a chance to jump ship. Think I will myself.
Well, I did jump ship and went to town. Not much of a town, full of Mexicans and Indians, lots of soldiers and a few sailors. Lots of funny sights but this country is (PIECE OF PAPER MISSING) to suit me. I got two (PIECE OF PAPER MISSING) ting sleepy. Will finish later.
January 3rd, 1918.
Was too sick to write yesterday. The sea is awful rough. We will soon be to the coast of Florida. I had a good nights sleep last night. The doctor and I sleep upon the top deck house. It is so hot my eyelids blistered while I was asleep yesterday. My arms and shoulders are also blistered. Have changed our course. Will not touch the Florida coast. We will now pass through windward passage by Haiti southeast of Cuba.
Thursday Noon.
We are in sight of land now. Southeast of us in Jamaica. Haiti is on our Starboard bow. The people here are as black as our old fashioned negroes.
We are making 25 knots an hour at this speed will reach Cuba by 5 p.m. The sea was awful rough yesterday. The waves were coming over our bow. We were first one one end and then the other. The water is blue as ink and warm as milk. Flying fish are all along our side.
Well, this is a great life if a fellow don’t weaken but these rough seas make a fellows stomach feel awful weak.
Think we are going to run into a rain. The wind feels like rain and the clouds are flying low.
January 4th, Friday.
We are now passing San Salvador and Angel Islands. I am trying to issue the crew their winter clothes. Some job, believe me, to fit and suit them all. Am giving the crew their boots at this time.
January 5.
Seasick and can hardly set up. Not seasick but ocean sick. Some of the boys are so seasick they wish they were dead. I am almost that way myself but I want to see New York.
Dinner is now ready. Guess I will eat a few bites and then feed the fish.
Our executive officer says he will get us some money and give us liberty just as soon as we get in port. I sure want to see a good show and go to a good dance.
Sunday Morning.
Lots of ice floating in water and scraping our sides, cold and cloudy.
We are in port at Norfork, Va. Everything covered with snow and ice.
I must close. I will do better next time. Your son,
Earl C. Meachum,
U. S. S. Caldwell, Norfolk, Va.
NOTES:
TRANSCRIBED BY ISAAC WOLTER