Trinidad

The First Stop on the Cruise

Lat 33’17” Long 73’24”

At Sea

Dec 17, 1907

Dear Papa,

It is now three pm and up until noon today we have traveled 249 miles in SSE direction.  It is a beautiful day with a smooth sea and no ships besides our fleet in sight.

Left Hampton Roads yesterday morning at ten am and passed the Mayflower about 11:30.  It was a fine sight and I could see it all from where I was stationed on the bridge where the Captain was. 

Suppose you read a full account of everything in the paper and that Roosevelt said it is his intention to have the fleet return by way of the Suez Canal.  It is a beautiful night on deck with a full moon shining down on the water.  We are all wearing whites and doing our full share of perspiring.  The temp of the water at this point is 79 degrees.  Suppose this seems quite warm to you away up North.

The Missouri left us this afternoon to go to San Juan, Porto Rico to land some sick men and she will join us later.  The sudden change of temp has been quite hard on us and a good many of the men are sick.

At the present writing we are a little over half way to our destination. 

Last there was a moving picture show on the quarter deck.  The machine and films were given to us by the Lieut. Governor of Virginia’s wife and friends and will afford us plenty of amusement for the trip.  Will close for today.

 At Sea, Dec 22, 07

I have a tooth ache that is hurting me something fierce and I don’t feel like doing anything.  Yesterday afternoon we passed by the Island of St. Thomas, Culebra, and Porto Rico but today we have not passed any so far.

I am going ashore in Trinidad and try to get my tooth fixed. I don’t feel like writing anymore at present.

Port of Spain

Trinidad B.W.I

It is the night before Xmas and we are anchored at Port of Spain where the temp was up to 90 degrees today and I just came down off deck where we had a dance.  I am going ashore tomorrow after dinner and take in the sights and I see a dentist take him in too.  Although I am glad to say my tooth does not hurt me so much. The mail does not start for the states until Friday, so I will have to write again.  The temp of the water is 82 degrees but I suppose you have to fire up the coal stove.  A pretty good heat in order to take a bath.  The harbor in which we are anchored is surrounded by mountains of volcanic origin and from where we are anchored we can see the Great LeprosyHospital.  Although it will be to far for me to get over to see it tomorrow.  As we are going to have a good dinner don’t think I will go ashore before dinner.

One can buy nice oranges here for two dozen for twenty-five cents.  The English currency is used and most of the natives speak that language.  The sun does not set until about 5:40 and every evening it is getting later.

This is a clay vessel that Frank picked up to rememer his trip to Trinidad.  Approx. 3" high

 Dec.26.07

Dear Papa,

The mail leaves tonight for the states so will have to bring this letter to a close.  Spending my last of 1907 in the City of Port of Spain and I had the time of my life seeing more strange sights than I have ever seen before in all my life.  Went ashore at ten oclock in the morning and stayed ashore until ten at night. Saw the LeprosyHospital and incidentally saw awful sights.  Took a trolley ride out to the forest which are full of all sorts of tropical trees and plants.  Palm trees 50, 60, and 70 feet high are to be seeing everywhere.  There are also coconut, banana and other tropical trees.

There are a great many Indian coolies brought here by the English Government and who work in there different trades and as day laborers.  They all live in a certain portion of the town and here life in the Far East is pictured in reality.  They all dress in their native costumes the women wearing rings in their ears and noses and bracelets on there arms.

 I have secured a good collection of English money.  As well as a working knowledge of its value.  Will send you some postal cards with foreign stamps on them.  This letter comes by U.S. coal-collier to the states.  The town and I staid in originally belonged to Spain, and the architecture is almost all Spanish.  The windows in the houses, nothing by iron bars.  It would be a great place for you to visit for you would enjoy the tropical vegetation.  Will tell you more about it on my next furlough home.  Will enclose a check if I can get it made out in time.

Love to Mother,

Affectionately,

Frank