TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BRINKLEY ARGUS MARCH 8,1918 P. 1
U.S.S. Montana, 2-20-18,
Dear parents:
I will write you again. This leaves me all O.K. and hope it my find you the same.
We are still at Norfolk, have had some target practice for a few days and had an accident with a three-inch gun. It was not properly loaded and back fired, killing two and injuring thirty-four. Seven are not expected to live.
We are coaling ship again for a trip but can’t find for certain where we are going. I hear some talk of going to South America for coast patrol duty. If we do go to South America we will be down there at least three months but I rather think we are going to France. If you don’t hear from me regular you will know we are on a long trip. But write me every time you feel like it.
Well, I will close as a friend is waiting to take this ashore to mail, so bye, bye
Your son,
Ernest Riner
NOTES: This letter was written by Ernest Riner.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
U.S.S. Montana, 2-20-18,
Dear parents:
I will write you again. This leaves me all O.K. and hope it my find you the same.
We are still at Norfolk, have had some target practice for a few days and had an accident with a three-inch gun. It was not properly loaded and back fired, killing two and injuring thirty-four. Seven are not expected to live.
We are coaling ship again for a trip but can’t find for certain where we are going. I hear some talk of going to South America for coast patrol duty. If we do go to South America we will be down there at least three months but I rather think we are going to France. If you don’t hear from me regular you will know we are on a long trip. But write me every time you feel like it.
Well, I will close as a friend is waiting to take this ashore to mail, so bye, bye
Your son,
Ernest Riner
NOTES: This letter was written by Ernest Riner.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON