TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BAXTER BULLETIN APRIL 12, 1918 P. 3
Mr. Tom Shiras,
Mtn. Home, Ark.
Dear Tom:
I see in the best paper in the world (Your paper), where some of the boys are writing and telling about their Camps and Training Stations. I will try to tell you a few things about the good ship Pennsylvania.
To one unfamiliar with a battleship, any battleship will appear interesting to say the least. And a ship such as the Pennsylvania will alter the effect only by raising it to the superlative degree.
The Pennsylvania is a battleship of the first line. Flag ship of the Fleet, called the “Queen of the Fleet.” She is the most complete and up-to-date ship of the line. She is armed with the most powerful battery in commission; twelve, fourteen inch guns, mounted in tripple turrents. All four turrents can be trained on either broadside thereby eliminating any possibility of any part of the battery being idle during a normal engagement. The projectiles for these guns weigh 1400 lbs. and their hitting power is still effective at 24,000 yds. or approximately 14 miles. Supplementary to the main battery in the secondary consisting of 24, five inch guns mounted twelve on each broadside, and so designed as to permit very rapid fire over a relative large area; leaving no part from stem to stern unprotected. Nor are the possibilities of an attack from above lost sight of, for there are anti-air-craft guns, as an additional means of offensive there are installed 2 21 inch torpedo tubes.
The Armament is not the only unique feature. The armor presents some striking points. The main armor belt is 16 inches thick and of the hardest steel. The turrents and canning tower are protected by 15 in. of nickol steel. Her propelling machinery is designed to drive her at 21 knots. To accomplish this, steam is generated in 12 B. and C. boilers which burns oil only. At high speed steam passes directly from the throttle to the main high pressure turbines, on both sides, after passing the several stages, is exhausted into the lower pressures turbine, where the remaining pressure is utilized down to 28 inches of vacuum, which corresponds to about 1lb. per sq. in. Second in importance to the main propelling machinery is the Engineers Department or the various auxiliaries that performs important parts in preserving the ship and the health and comforts of the crew. Not the least of these is the evaporating plant; which has a normal output of 38, 000 gallons of fresh water daily. The ice machine room has 2 three ton carbon-anhydride machines which manufactures ice for the mess ice boxes, scuttle buts, etc. The electric power which runs the seemingly countless blowers, motors, turrents, deck switches etc., is supplied by four 500 kilowatt, turbo generators. They are placed in the dynamo rooms. The use of oil greatly simplifies the work in the fire rooms. The heat can be varified by a mere turning of a value. The business of fueling is reduced from “all hands” to 25 men and one junior officer and they can put aboard the entire allowance of 691,000 gallons in a very short time.
To do the necessary work in all departments, including the work of a flagship there are 1657 enlisted men of all rating and 92 marines. Every want of the man and officers are anticipated and the supplies necessary are carried in the 42 store rooms, in care of the Supply Officer, who is also Pay Officer. Those who are sick enough to turn in are cared for in sick bay, which has all the conveniences of a shore hospital.
The oil burning galley and the electric bakery prepare food for all hands. The Ship’s Cook leaves the business of peeling “spuds” to the electric “spud” peeler, while the sculley cleans up the mess gear in short order, with the electric dish washer.
There is a tailor shop, two barber shops, a dentis, and a laundry, whose equipments and work are far better than many laundries can show.
The furniture throughout the ship is of metal, and all state rooms have the modern conveniences. Telephone connection to the ship’s service system comprises 138 phones. The radio is a 30 kilowatt arc capable sending and receiving at a distance of 2500 miles with secondary spark for sets for short distances.
You will get a better impression of the size of the Pennsylvania by taking note of her boats. She carries one 50 ft. Admirals barge, two 30 ft motor gigs for Chief of Staff, one 50 ft. 23 ton steamer, each with a capacity of 190 men; two 40 ft, Motor Sailors with two whole boats rigged as life boats, and two dinghies used for light ship work. She is 600 ft. long, with a beam of 97 ½ ft. and has a draft of 29 ½ ft. Displacement of 341,000 tons 32000 horse power, completed in 1916, at a cost of $16,000,000.
I’ve been here more than five months and have been over just about one third of her.
The jackie who isn’t proud of her hasn’t got here yet.
I will try and tell you some time about our life on board.
Arkansas Own.
Leffel J. Smith,
U.S.S. Pennsylvania.
March 25, 1918.
NOTES: Leffel J. Smith was born on August 9, 1891 in Baxter County, Arkansas and died on June 30, 1967 in Baxter County. He is buried in the Custer-Herron Cemetery in Baxter County. His military headstone identifies him as Arkansas, Sea US Navy serving in World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Mr. Tom Shiras,
Mtn. Home, Ark.
Dear Tom:
I see in the best paper in the world (Your paper), where some of the boys are writing and telling about their Camps and Training Stations. I will try to tell you a few things about the good ship Pennsylvania.
To one unfamiliar with a battleship, any battleship will appear interesting to say the least. And a ship such as the Pennsylvania will alter the effect only by raising it to the superlative degree.
The Pennsylvania is a battleship of the first line. Flag ship of the Fleet, called the “Queen of the Fleet.” She is the most complete and up-to-date ship of the line. She is armed with the most powerful battery in commission; twelve, fourteen inch guns, mounted in tripple turrents. All four turrents can be trained on either broadside thereby eliminating any possibility of any part of the battery being idle during a normal engagement. The projectiles for these guns weigh 1400 lbs. and their hitting power is still effective at 24,000 yds. or approximately 14 miles. Supplementary to the main battery in the secondary consisting of 24, five inch guns mounted twelve on each broadside, and so designed as to permit very rapid fire over a relative large area; leaving no part from stem to stern unprotected. Nor are the possibilities of an attack from above lost sight of, for there are anti-air-craft guns, as an additional means of offensive there are installed 2 21 inch torpedo tubes.
The Armament is not the only unique feature. The armor presents some striking points. The main armor belt is 16 inches thick and of the hardest steel. The turrents and canning tower are protected by 15 in. of nickol steel. Her propelling machinery is designed to drive her at 21 knots. To accomplish this, steam is generated in 12 B. and C. boilers which burns oil only. At high speed steam passes directly from the throttle to the main high pressure turbines, on both sides, after passing the several stages, is exhausted into the lower pressures turbine, where the remaining pressure is utilized down to 28 inches of vacuum, which corresponds to about 1lb. per sq. in. Second in importance to the main propelling machinery is the Engineers Department or the various auxiliaries that performs important parts in preserving the ship and the health and comforts of the crew. Not the least of these is the evaporating plant; which has a normal output of 38, 000 gallons of fresh water daily. The ice machine room has 2 three ton carbon-anhydride machines which manufactures ice for the mess ice boxes, scuttle buts, etc. The electric power which runs the seemingly countless blowers, motors, turrents, deck switches etc., is supplied by four 500 kilowatt, turbo generators. They are placed in the dynamo rooms. The use of oil greatly simplifies the work in the fire rooms. The heat can be varified by a mere turning of a value. The business of fueling is reduced from “all hands” to 25 men and one junior officer and they can put aboard the entire allowance of 691,000 gallons in a very short time.
To do the necessary work in all departments, including the work of a flagship there are 1657 enlisted men of all rating and 92 marines. Every want of the man and officers are anticipated and the supplies necessary are carried in the 42 store rooms, in care of the Supply Officer, who is also Pay Officer. Those who are sick enough to turn in are cared for in sick bay, which has all the conveniences of a shore hospital.
The oil burning galley and the electric bakery prepare food for all hands. The Ship’s Cook leaves the business of peeling “spuds” to the electric “spud” peeler, while the sculley cleans up the mess gear in short order, with the electric dish washer.
There is a tailor shop, two barber shops, a dentis, and a laundry, whose equipments and work are far better than many laundries can show.
The furniture throughout the ship is of metal, and all state rooms have the modern conveniences. Telephone connection to the ship’s service system comprises 138 phones. The radio is a 30 kilowatt arc capable sending and receiving at a distance of 2500 miles with secondary spark for sets for short distances.
You will get a better impression of the size of the Pennsylvania by taking note of her boats. She carries one 50 ft. Admirals barge, two 30 ft motor gigs for Chief of Staff, one 50 ft. 23 ton steamer, each with a capacity of 190 men; two 40 ft, Motor Sailors with two whole boats rigged as life boats, and two dinghies used for light ship work. She is 600 ft. long, with a beam of 97 ½ ft. and has a draft of 29 ½ ft. Displacement of 341,000 tons 32000 horse power, completed in 1916, at a cost of $16,000,000.
I’ve been here more than five months and have been over just about one third of her.
The jackie who isn’t proud of her hasn’t got here yet.
I will try and tell you some time about our life on board.
Arkansas Own.
Leffel J. Smith,
U.S.S. Pennsylvania.
March 25, 1918.
NOTES: Leffel J. Smith was born on August 9, 1891 in Baxter County, Arkansas and died on June 30, 1967 in Baxter County. He is buried in the Custer-Herron Cemetery in Baxter County. His military headstone identifies him as Arkansas, Sea US Navy serving in World War I.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT