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Home J. J. Collins, Diary 1899 September October November December 1900 January February March April May June July August September October November December 1901 January February March April May June |
(November) Nov 1 Preparing to leave Camp Meade for New York. Private Thompson of our Co suffocated at Harrisburg. Nov 2 Left Camp Meade at 5:30 PM marched to the station at Middletown and boarded a Pand R train Nov 3 Reached Jersey City at 4:30 am. stayed in the cars until 7 am. we then boarded a barge and was towed over to Pier 22 East River we disembarked and layed on the dock until 11:30 then we boarded the U.S.A. T. Thomas had our dinner and was paid boat pulled out of dock and anchored off of Governors Island. Nov 4 Was visited by Mrs. Heffernan at 4 PM we started on our long voyage. Nov 5 Oh but I am sick have been in my bunk all day. Nov 6 Raining and water is very calm Nov 7 Clear and cool sighted 4 schooners and 1 large steamer Nov 8 Clear and cool large flock of sea-gulls following boat Nov 9 Very dreary only sighted 1 large steamer Nov 10 Calm with light head winds Nov 11 Sighted 3 mast schooner at 10:30 AM signals were shown which we answered she proved to be an english ship but was out of her course. Nov 12 Calm sea heavy fog at 11 AM slight rain with heavy winds. Nov 13 Weather fair sea as smooth as glass sighted a 3 mast schooners. Nov 14 Weather clear clam sea sighted a few steamers at 6PM sighted light house steamer passing in opposite direction at 8:30 PM land sighted afterwards found out to be Cape St Vincent on the western part of Portugal many English steamers all tramp. Rock of Gibraltar sighted great excitement on board steamed into port about 11:45 AM took on coal and water laying off of the English fleet. Nov 15 Still in port was visited by an English Admiral and 2 Officers. Nov 16 Weighted anchor at 5:30 PM the windlass broke we had to lift it by hand it took us 3 hours before we got under way. We were given a hearty cheer by the English sailors which we returned. Nov 17 Calm sea until evening when we ran into a squall and the sea became very rough several steamers sighted Nov 18 A Steamer sighted first thing in the morning cruising along the northern coast of Africa running into quite a number of squalls, light seen about 2 miles off at 7:30 PM on the coast of Tripoli. Nov 19 Clear and calm very dreary on board today. Nov 20 We arrived at Malta about 2 am this morning but were not allowed to go into the harbor until daybreak, about 9 am we steamed into the harbor and anchored at a ship yard t get our anchor fixed there is a fleet of 8 war ship laying here we were given a royal reception. bedtime changed from 9 PM to 11 PM. Nov 21 It is raining and the sun is out at 8:30 AM it haled for about 15 minutes has a parade in Malta at 10 AM re turned about 12:30 we wore our kahki suits for the first Nov 22 It is a clear fine day went on guard at 6 PM came off at 3 AM was treated fine by a sailor from H.J.S. Royal Sovereign Nov 23 Have been sick all day. I guess beef Steak did not agree with me. Sailed out of Malta about 3 PM at 7 PM sea is very rough. Nov 24 Sea is a great deal calmer they are issuing helmets to the band, we have a concert every evening. Sighted St. Helena at 3 PM. Nov 25 A very nice day but awful warm weekly inspection by the Major today. Nov 26 Clear and calm passed the Nile river about 1 PM sighed Alexandria and sailed into Port Said about 5 PM Nov 27 Clear day started through canal at 5:30 PM large search-light on bow of boat the canal is very narrow Nov 28 Not thrugh canal yet we arrived at Suez. at 10:30 AM. Left Suez. at 11 AM sailed into Red Sea (Nov 29: no entry) Nov 30 Thanksgiving day ship all decorated stayed up until 3 AM getting turkey ready had dinner at 12 Oclock of Roast turkey, potatoes, bread, peaches, gravy, filling cranberries an orange and a cigar 8 PM Officer are having a dance on upper deck |