Frank Lesher seeing Puget Sound

from Bremerton, Washington  

Bremerton, Wash.

June 11, 1908

Dear Papa,

Just a line to let you know that I am well and happy.  Have not heard from you for about a week but suppose I'll get a letter soon.

We are having fine weather here at present and we are wearing white clothes and basking in the summer sun, but the mountains are still covered with the winter snow.

We are short six men so things are a little rushed at present.  At present we are anchored out in the Sound, but expect to go along side of the dock in several days.  We leave for Frisco on the morning of the 28th perhaps we may get three days extension at the yard here.

Our little bear still continues to afford plenty of amusement for the crew, and does all sorts of funny stunts.

Love to Mother

Affectionately, Frank

Tacoma, Wash.

May 30, 1908

Dear Papa,

Received your letter of May 21st just at Tacoma and as we leave here tomorrow morning at 10:00 for Bremerton Navy Yard, will answer before we go.

Am sending you a Seattle paper for two weeks and a Tacoma paper for one week.  As did not know what business Mrs. Johnson's husband was in I was unable to locate them in the directory.  I took a look at the Johnsons and there was about 300 of them.  So I had to give up in despair.

Yes we certainly have had a fine trip up the coast and this is our last official stop.  On this part of the cruise will enclose and itinerary of the trip as far as the Philippines.  As our ship belongs to the 2nd Squadron we will get to stop at Amoy China while the 1st Squadron will return to Manila from Yokohama.

I got ashore once in Seattle and it is a thriving city, but very hilly.  They are digging away many of the hills and making the town more level.  It has a fine harbor and where we were anchored, right close to the docks the water was 250 feet deep.  We did not drop our anchor but made fast to a buoy or float. We had visitors aboard by the thousands and many blow-outs for us.

The USS Nebraska entering drydock at BNSY

Shields' brother who works here came out to see me his brother having written him from Los Angeles that I was aboard the Virginia.  I was ashore and took in the sites.  We went up on the largest building in Seattle and got a fine view of the surrounding country.  They are reclaiming a large part of the Sound by building walk and filling in behind them.  Saw the building which Fownyaus(?) brother owns, together with another man.  It is a very narrow affair would say about 30 feet but about 8 stories high.  Will get down to Seattle quite frequently from Bremerton being only 12 miles away.

Tacoma is a fine town and I like it much better than Seattle as the people are more hospitable and one feels more at home in their City.  Sent you a view book of Seattle and one of Tacoma.  This place is also built on the side of a hill, the train track running parallel to the Sound.  They use cable cars for the steep grades and have a fine trolley service.

Six men were sent from each ship to go to the public schools and give a talk on the Navy.  I was on of the party that went from our ship.  We visited two schools the Powell and the Grant and at each received an enthusiastic welcome. At each place the chief who had charge of our party made a speech and told the scholars what each one of us did on the ship.  We attended yesterday when they were holding Memorial Day exercises.  The soil of these two great cities is sandy and for that reason, they have very little dust, but they have plenty of rain.

Mount Rainier is 60 miles from here does not look half that far.  The Tacoma people claim its name is Tacoma and don't like it at all if you call it Rainer.  At present a wonderful sight on a clear day and at the present time is half covered with snow.  It is especially beautiful when the sun is sinking in the west and throwing its golden beams on the mountain of eternal snow.

Was ashore last night and heard Walter Damrosch and his orchestra at the Tacoma Theatre.  Noted what you say about Capt. Sharp and relatives.  He spells his name without the last (e).

Santa Rosa is 50 miles north of Frisco. Think I told you all about it in a letter which you have no doubt received by this time.

There are plenty of lumber mills in this region and still some forests.  The Sound reminds me of the country up around Senaca Lake NY with cottages all along its banks.

Will close for now, Love to Mother,

Affectionately, Frank