Still loading until 10 AM. Most of the convoy have gone. We got under way at 10:30 and seamed out taking up our position all the ships are not here and we don’t know where they are. There is supposed to be 30 ships and there is only 21 of us Supposed (?) fomation. [Illustration] […]
Left the dock at 10:30 and reached Gravesend Bay 12n. **** we are to take on the ammunition here. The sloppy way this tub is run now is sickening. 3 men were granted 24 hour leave from noon yesterday and all the officers knew we would leave the dock at 10 AM. Loading the dabth […]
Have not had a letter from home since **** last t***.
We are supposed to have our insfation(?) today but non of the officers knew and they d*****. The Executive Officer said he supposed it was next **** of these B____ B____Ma** behave admirals rfom 45 Broadway.
We were to sail at 11 o’Clock. Everything all ready. Steam to the throttle **** t***d ever(?). Tugs came to take us out in the streem(?) when received order that we would not sail until the 8th. Naturally every one flocked ashore. I think there was one officer left. The doctor has not been aboard since Saturday for 15 minutes.
About the most lonesome day I have ever spent. Taking on the last of the cargo.
I stood the 8 – 12 evening(?) deck watch to night. I was the only command officer aboard.
[Second dog-eared page. Math in margin: “300 X 300 = 90,000 / 2 = 45 tons TNT”] Still taking cargo. We sail Monday at 11 AM for the lower harbor where we tha on 300 debth bombs wich weigh 300 lb. ******* all the officers here objected to carrying so many of these dangerous bombs […]
Loading stores. They say we are to take 300 *** bombs. They will contain more TNT than the ship that blew up in Halifax and that we sail Monday.
Got aboard at 12 We are taking on stores T*** one(?) main engines and putting on the final touches ***d for sea. We sail May7 th. Capt. told me that he will detail me to a gr** that I am to be construction & repair officer as well as for Engineer duties. All officers have […]
Went down town get my ***** and will leave for New York at 4:07.
Smith(?) took Pearl and I to the sation in the car. I had to stay in the smoker(?).
Just stayed around and enjoyed the visit. Went over and saw Al. **** and *** was going out with Pearl but it was raining so we just stayed home.
Monday
Went to Washington and surprised the folks as they did not expect me. Had a dandy visit. Walked into the office(?) and surprised Pearl.
Culgoa Left dry dock this morning and was towed to 29th Pier Brooklyn C****to coal(?). Will continue craling(?) all night. Expect to leave here Thursday morning and go to 35th St dock to take on stores. Will sail about Monday the 6h of May.
Came aboard this morning the ship is in the dock. T**** + L***, Hoboken.
Scraped and painted bottom. Ground(?) in all sea cocks. Stayed aboard.
[This page is dog-eared, first of six] Ordered to the Culgoa. Reported and went back to New York to get my baggage.
Wednesday
Reported and saw Lt Merrill and he told me that the reason I will not be ordered to any of the available ships now was that I am Senior Officer to all of the Chief Engineers. So would(?) have(?) to hold *** for one of the transports that has a regular m**al engineer.
