TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT AUGUST 24, 1918 P. 4
Dear Folks:
I received several letters from you today, and I sure was glad to get them, for they were the first I had had in nearly a month. I also got two newspapers mailed by you on the first of July, and they were just like getting the papers at home.
Well, we sure did have some excitement the other morning about 6:30. I was called at 5 o’clock; in fact all the office force was called to go on lookout watch. We had coffee and a smoke and went on duty.
A little later one of the smaller boats in convoy gave us a warning that there was a submarine around, and about that time we saw a torpedo headed directly for us.
We speeded up and swung around just in time for it to pass within five feet of our stern. There were several shots fired and several depth charges dropped, and if I am not mistaken we got one of them. There were three in their little party, but they sure did meet a warm reception.
This is the most exciting experience I have yet had, and it sure did do us a lot of good for all the boys were anxious to get one.
Would like to tell you more about it, but my letter must be censored so cannot.
Lots of love to you all, and write me often.
NOTES: James Allen Turbeville Jr. was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Turbeville Sr. of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on February 3, 1893 in Louisiana and died on September 8, 1974 in Florida. He is buried in the Kings Highway Cemetery in Milford, New Haven, Connecticut. He served as a second-class yeoman on the U.S.S. Bridgeport.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Dear Folks:
I received several letters from you today, and I sure was glad to get them, for they were the first I had had in nearly a month. I also got two newspapers mailed by you on the first of July, and they were just like getting the papers at home.
Well, we sure did have some excitement the other morning about 6:30. I was called at 5 o’clock; in fact all the office force was called to go on lookout watch. We had coffee and a smoke and went on duty.
A little later one of the smaller boats in convoy gave us a warning that there was a submarine around, and about that time we saw a torpedo headed directly for us.
We speeded up and swung around just in time for it to pass within five feet of our stern. There were several shots fired and several depth charges dropped, and if I am not mistaken we got one of them. There were three in their little party, but they sure did meet a warm reception.
This is the most exciting experience I have yet had, and it sure did do us a lot of good for all the boys were anxious to get one.
Would like to tell you more about it, but my letter must be censored so cannot.
Lots of love to you all, and write me often.
NOTES: James Allen Turbeville Jr. was writing to his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Turbeville Sr. of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born on February 3, 1893 in Louisiana and died on September 8, 1974 in Florida. He is buried in the Kings Highway Cemetery in Milford, New Haven, Connecticut. He served as a second-class yeoman on the U.S.S. Bridgeport.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT