Sunday, July 1st – Superb weather

This is Milton’s birthday. I sent some money home for a little remembrance which I hope he appreciated. I arose about 9:00 after a comfortable rest. I found a bath, but was very much disappointed in it. The water is salty and it is use less to try to use soap, as it does not lather. The best you can do is just immerse yourself long enough to allow the dirt to dissolve off. You feel quite refreshed while in the water, but after drying off you feel sticky and uncomfortable. I found that I was late for breakfast, so I only obtained a few buns and some jam. The bell for dinner rang at 11:00 while I was taking exercise on the deck. The food is very good and tastefully cooked, but I find a good deal of difficulty in ascertaining what the menu is. This afternoon I spent in reading. It appears that no church services are held on French steamers on Sunday, although I have been told that such is not the case on other lines.

The Italian Mission appeared on deck this afternoon. It contains several princes, dukes, etc. If these are a fair ex ample of European nobility, I can understand why the world is gradually turning into one large democracy. The Prince of Undine and his aide are dressed in blue uniforms. They seem to be built like question marks, if not more like shadows. They are always very much in evidence. Supper was at 6:00 again. I must comment on the excellent quality of the food. The evening was wonderful—a large moon illuminated the ship and made the blue surging sea visible for miles around. I was told that the moon was a disadvantage to us, as it makes us more visible to the submarines. I retired about 12:00.

Monday, July 2nd – Fine weather

I forgot to say that the U.S. destroyers left us Sunday night while we were at supper. I missed breakfast again, but dinner is so early that I have decided it best to sleep as late as possible and get up just in time for dinner. The day passed as usual, varying the monotony with a game of bridge and walks around the deck. I have met a number of very nice men and boys. They are congenial, and come from almost every part of the States. As it was very hot last night, I attempted to sleep on deck in my steamer chair, but about 1:00 it commenced to rain. On account of this and the fact that I was not very comfortable, I returned to my bunk and slept very well. I have been talking to a little French marine and he is very interesting. I have been teaching him English, and he has been helping my French. I regret now that I failed to spend more time on my French at school because I find it very useful, if not necessary. A little French woman aboard has volunteered her services to teach the fellows her language. She holds classes every day at 3:00 in the saloon. There are quite a few notables aboard. Mrs. Johnson, wife of Owen Johnson, is the center of activity aboard. She is Italian by birth and has a very wonderful voice. The Italian princes make much of her, as does everyone else. Mr. Sayre, son-in-law of President Wilson, is also aboard. He is going to do Y.M.C.A. work in France. He resembles the President very much. With him is an attractive young girl of about 20 who is going to do hospital work. She is very popular with the young men, as she is the only girl of her type aboard. She seems very sensible and carries her self well. I would like to meet her. Mayor McCormick and wife are also among those on board. The mayor, a very tall and attractive man who in private life is president of the Chicago World, is going to join General Pershing’s staff.

Tuesday, July 3rd – Good weather

Missed breakfast again. Arose in time for dinner. The afternoon I devoted to reading. Just before supper there were games on deck in which I participated. They amused the people immensely and were a lot of fun. After supper I played bridge until 11:00, and then went on deck to enjoy the evening. I talked a great while with a young fellow named Connosit, who knew Buffalo and people that lived there.

Wednesday, July 4th – Good weather

The Glorious Fourth. What a novelty it is to be thousands of miles away, surrounded by the solitude and quiet of a great expanse of water, when usually the air is full of the noises of bursting firecrackers and the shrill cries of excited children. It is undoubtedly the most quiet 4th I have ever witnessed, but I can truthfully say that never before have I so appreciated the solemnity of the day.

The simple exercises we held on board were terribly impressive. I awoke in time for lunch which was excellent as usual. At 3:00 all the men in uniform congregated at the bow of the boat and sang the national anthem. After witnessing the raising of the American flag, Mayor McCormick then delivered a brief address in which he impressed upon the boys the greatness and solemnity of the work in which they were about to enter, and also reminded them of the standard which they, as American soldiers, must uphold. Captain de Brosse of the French army, who has been touring the U.S. in quest of horses, was then introduced. In faltering English he paid a tribute to the American people and to those of us who were to join his brothers in the fight for democracy. Later in the afternoon, the passengers met in the salon de conversation where we sang the national anthems of the various allied countries and listened to speeches by the Prince of Udine, Mr. Sayre, Mayor McCormick, and Marquis Borsarelli, Under Secretary of State for Italy. Prayer was offered by a French curé and we were favored with a few solos by the talented Mrs. Johnson. After a red, white, and blue supper, I played bridge until 2:00 and then retired.

Thursday, July 5th – Misty and cooler

Arose in time for dinner and played cards until supper time. Resumed the game after supper and retired at 1:30. We are now about 1,500 miles from France. We travel about 300 miles a day, which is rather slow in these times of fast steamers. The Touraine is about 20 years old, so that explains her tardiness. Things are not as comfortable as they could be, but there is nothing to complain of. We figure to get to Bordeaux about Tuesday, and expect to meet our convoy either Saturday or Sunday. No lights are allowed aboard at night except in the lower cabins and in the card rooms. When the moon is not hidden beneath the clouds, it is quite light on deck.

The boys, or rather a large percentage of them, are doing a lot of gambling. It can be excused because there is so little to do aboard and there is no other way in which to spend money. There is also considerable drinking, but this mainly by young fellows who are not used to this unusual amount of freedom. God knows they will learn their lessons soon enough. I am glad that I have already gone through this unfortunate stage which seems to get to every young fellow. There is a poor “boob” aboard who wears a goatee and mustache, but acts more like a woman than a man. He evidently is an unusual specimen of a spoiled son, for his actions are peculiar indeed. You can readily imagine how a personality of this sort would grate against the nerves of a bunch of good, healthy Americans. Well, to make a long story short, the boys abducted His Highness and forcibly removed his priceless facial decorations. In the tussle the poor fellow’s glasses were broken. Afterwards, a few of the older men hunted him up and assured him of their good will. He took the affair gamely.

Friday, July 6th – Cool and clear

I pursued the usual routine of getting up for dinner. The afternoon was interrupted by a meeting of the ambulance men. It was announced that the boys had been divided into three groups, and that Mr. Paxon, who is in charge of the whole unit, would appoint temporary leaders. Ben Shepard was appointed leader of the Buffalo Unit.

Saturday, July 7th – Cool and cloudy

I arose later than usual, just in time for dinner. At a meeting of the men it was announced that we had entered the danger zone, and numerous precautions had to be taken against attack from subs. No lights were to appear on the ship after 6:00. The boats were lashed over the sides and everything was made ready to launch the life boats safely. We had boat drills where everyone was shown his place in the boat. We were told to have our life belts on hand. As the captain of the boat had asked for volunteers to help his men keep watch for subs, the fellows were divided into groups of ten and were on duty two hours a day. I was made corporal of my squad. We were on duty Sunday from 11 to 12 A.M., Monday from 2 to 3 A.M., and 4 to 5 P.M., and Tuesday from 6 to 7. Jack and I succeeded in trimming Jim and Bid very badly today, winning by some 1,200 points.