Aboard the USNS Meigs-part 2

....continued from August 19, 1953

They had a movie last night but I didn't go.  They have it outside. I might go tonight.  I  haven't been to the PX yet.  There is just a few that can go at one time.  You have to get someone to get things for you.  Cigarettes just cost 85 cents a carton. Well I guess I will stop for awhile.  We just had roll call in our compartment and now we have to leave.  I'll write more later.

We had dinner a little while ago.  It was pretty good.  I just took a shower.  It was salt water and the soap I had would not lather.  I feel clean anyway. This afternoon we just layed around on the deck in the sun.  They played a recording over the speaker.  They were special recordings for the armed services radio. 

At the present time we have two hours difference between here and K.C.  They told us to set our watches back again tonight before we go to bed.  I figure now we have gone 960 miles.  I haven't the faintest idea where we are except we are going west at about 20 knots an hour for 48 hours.

I have taken about two rolls of film altogether. When I have them developed I will send them to you.

All of us are growing mustaches.  That is the 8 of us who are together.  We are all in the same compartment.

There is going to be a movie tonight, Atlantic City. They have two showings a night.  They had Geisha Girl last night.

The talk is that we are going to dock in Japan, Yokohama or something.  Don't know much about it yet.  I would like to get off there for awhile.

We are going on KP tomorrow afternoon about 3 PM.  I hate to go because it is so hot.  I haven't been to sick but could feel a lot better.  It really cleared up today.  The sun came out when I was on deck.  I got my arm burned a little.

Today is August 20, 1953, Thurs.  It is really nice out this morning. Last night I went to the late show and saw Atlantic City.  It was a good picture.  They put the screen on the real most part of the boat and everyone sits around on the deck and watches the picture.  After breakfast everyone sits around on the deck and then everyone goes to their compartment for roll call. 

We went on KP today about 2:30 PM and got off at 7 PM  It is really hot down there.  I work on the serving line and have the same job every time I have KP it seems.  It is better than having the pots and pans.

continued...

August 19, 1953-part 1

Aboard the USNS Meigs
August 19,  1953

Dear Mom, Dad, and Snapper

Well Sunday night after I called you I went back to the barracks and we ate breakfast about midnight.  Then about 2 am we started loading on trucks and they took us to the ferry boat.  The ferry boat was an old  passenger ferry boat.  It was about 4 am before the ferry was loaded and we left the army dock at
Pittsburg.  It was about 9:30 when we got to the Army Dock at Ft. Mason.  Ft. Mason is right next to Fisherman's Wharf where we all were that day you visited.  We rode by it that day in the boat that day when we went around Alcatraz.

The dock is painted, red, white and blue.  We unloaded there and the Red Cross gave us coffee and cookies.  We got on the boat than waited all day till 3pm before we left.  The army band was there and played music.

The tug boats pulled us out in the bay.  We sat there until about 5pm before we left.

We had a fire drill etc.

It got foggy before the sun went down.  We went under the Golden Gate Bridge shortly after 5pm.

I didn't get seasick at all till later on.

Our compartment is really crowded.  There are over 500 men in it.  Our bunks are stacked four high.  It is so crowded you can hardly move.  No fresh air at all.  Our bunks are kind of rectangle shaped steel pipe frames with rope holding canvas.  They are comfortable.  One blanket a pillow and no sheets.  I am on the top bunk which I like OK.  More room on top of you.

Tues morning we were on KP till around 3 in the afternoon.  We really have good food.  I got sick on KP.  It was so hot down there and the ship rocked all the time.  I went to bed about 6:00 this morning.

Today is Wednesday Aug 19, 1953.  This is the first chance I have had to write since I got on ship.  I think I will write one letter all the way because it will save stamps and I just as well write it all in one letter because it wont be mailed till we hit port anyway.

Not much to do but walk around deck.  It is crowded every place you go.  I think we must be about 800 miles out now.  We travel about 20 knots per hour.

The water is real dark blue and that is all you can see, the sea.  It is cloudy this morning but the sun got through in spots and when it hits the eater it's really pretty.  This afternoon it should clear up a little bit.  It was clear yesterday.  The air is just right.  Worm and not to hot or cold. 

Continued..............

To a world away - 1953

This was the scene when loading the USNS Meigs on its way to Korea on August 17, 1953

USNS Meigs - 1953

Camp Stoneman, California - 1953

August 16, 1953

Telephone Center

Aug 16, 1953 Sun

Dear Mom, Dad, & Snapper

It's about 8:30 here.  I tried to call earlier this eve but couldn't get through or rather no one was home.  I tried just now but still no answer.  I'll try again in a little while.  I thought I would call while I could.  I tried to call Margie around noon today but the phone was busy for a long time.

We are going to fall out tonight at 11 and eat around 2 or 1:30 and will start loading on the bus and then go to the ferry.  It will take about 4 hours to get to Frisco.  Then it will be quite awhile before we leave because there are so many going and it will take some time to load them all.  I am number 766 so I will get on the boat fairly good time.

I got another patch for Snapper.  I haven't done much all day but lay around.  After I call I am going to go back and clean up and take a  little nap.  I hope you don't mind me calling again I just wanted to call again before I left.

All the guys are going to be pretty close on the ship I think.  Our numbers are one right after another.  I think I will just put a three cent stamp on this letter so it wont be so it wont be so long till you hear from me.

Well not much more to say.  Hope you get home in a few minutes.  I am not very excited about going.  May be if I was a civilian again and going I would be.  I will enjoy the trip anyway.
Love, Ted

August 15, 1953-letter two

Saturday Aug 15, 53

Dear Mom and Dad

It sure was good to talk to you last night.  I went to town with Thiderman and Sipes.  We called home.  Wish I could talk more but it cost plenty the way it is.  Some of the guys left today and the others will leave about 1:30 Monday morning.  I sent a picture of the ship, you should get it in a few days.

I bought the camera I was talking about.  I took one roll already

We went to the show last night after I called you.  I might go to the show tonight.  We can't leave't leave the post.

I should have about $160 coming.  I am going to send some home if I can.  I am sure broke now.  I don't need any though.  All I need is cigarettes and I have money for that. Well I don't have much more to say.  I will write again later.
Love, Ted