Seattle, Washington

May 25, 1908

Dear Folks:

Today I received another letter from you before I had had time to answer your last one.  The fact is I have been kept so busy having a good time and work that I never felt like writing.  Our first stop after leaving Frisco was Bellingham.  It has a population of about 35,000 people and they showed us an exceptionally good time.  We enjoyed our two days stay there besides the ships were crowded with visitors.  Two sailors that were in a street car accident got killed on our last day in Bellingham and it sort of cast a gloom over the fleet.

Saturday a.m. we took up anchor and arrived at Seattle about 2 p.m.. The harbor was just filled with boats.  Dropped anchor at 2:30 pm. sharp.  Then came cleaning ship for Sunday.  Sunday I was ashore and went up to Storins residence and had a fine time.  Met one or two girl friends of Lucy’s. 

It rained all day so we did not leave the house.  Very few people came out to the ships on account of the rain.  Monday morning it mained a little while but not long.  We had quite a number of people on board today.  Lucy brought three of her friends with her and we went all over the ship.  Tomorrow I will have to parade from 10 to 12 and then in the afternoon will go ashore again.  We leave here Wednesday a.m. for Tacoma but will not stay there long as we have to be back to Seattle or Bremerton to go into dry dock for a week or 10 days.  Well I am so sleepy will quit and write some more Tuesday. 

Today is May 31, 1908 and am going to try and finish this letter tonight.  I have been so busy every evening that I barely got a chance to write.  We was at Tacoma about 4 days and had a fairly good time. They had fire works every night for us and everything was free.  We paraded on Memorial Day but it only lasted about 1 hour and was mighty glad when it was over.  The climate up here is fine in fact it is better than Frisco.  We left Tacoma this afternoon about 1 p.m. for Bremerton and arrived at Bremerton about 4:30 p.m.  At Tacoma there was only 4 ships namely Georgia, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Virginia.  Of course us being the flagship we had the most visitors of any ship.  I was glad when we left because a person gets tired of meeting so many visitors.  I met a girl in Tacoma and I guess her parents were pretty well to do.  She wanted me to go ashore with her and I could of went I guess but I did not care to as I had been ashore once before. 

We will go into dry dock in a few days but do not believe we will stay in long.  I hope we do though as I want to get to Seattle for a visit.  It is only about 8 miles from here.  I imagine by that letter from my Australian cousin that she is a jolly girl and she is certainly not a bit conceited to tell how she looks.  I hope I meet her and if I do of course I will skate but not dance.  I went to a dance here in Tacoma and about all I could do was two step.  It is no sport and if I had to walk as far as I danced I would raise an awful kick.  So she thinks she can cut a dash with me.  I am going to let her try it.  If she is just going to like me for the fun there is in it she better look elsewhere.  All the same though I guess she will be able to show me a good time. 

You as not the only one that was sorry Pop could not send the money.  I am going to begin to put some money in the ships bank so when I get my furlough about next February or later will have about $100 to go on and I expect to get a long furlough or take it.  Is trade improving much in the east?  They say it is fine out here.  I wish Pop was in business in the west because money flows out here.  When I am paid off I will make my start out on this cost.  Yes it was nice of Les to offer to pay your way to Brooklyn and return but he is able to do it.  He will not miss the money any.  It is more of course than that square head of Charles would ever do.  I would like to tell him his head is square.  I hope Grandma holds out till I get home as I wish to have a fine chat with her.  I would have written to here before but never knew their address.  Tell Kit I will write her a nice long letter some evening but she can enjoy this one for now.  Now you do not need to mention that money question any more as it is all dried and baked.  Of course I had to borrow what I wanted and then did not have enough.  I understand the struggle pop has gone through and only hope that things improve.  I am not blaming Papa one bit for not sending me the money and hope he does not hold anything against me for some things I said in letters because I was pretty mad at the time and I usually say just what I mean.  I remember Mr. O’Riely who use to teach in Bowdle but would not know him if I seen him.  I remember the name. 

So you had Frances vaccinated did you.  Some people are foolish and should use common sense.  Why is it you never had me vaccinated?  Because I would not let you.  I had sooner do ten years than be vaccinated.  If I ever have any children and anybody tells me to vaccinate him or her there will be some one hurt.  I was vaccinated in the Navy and came very near doing 30 days solitary for washing it out.  I was caught while I was washing the blood out. 

I am glad K- made good in school although she did not take any prizes.  I got the cards all right.  Why don’t Kit address her essay “From Atlantic to Pacific with the American Fleet” or Around the Horn With Fighting Bob Evans”.  Yes the Georgia goes to Australia.

Well I guess I will close now trusting everybody is well,

Your Son

M. Willard

USS Georgia

c/o P.M. San Francisco

                                                       Honolulu T. H.

                                                       July 16, 1908

Dear Folks,

We arrived here safe at last.  Our nine day trip was no so bad as we had fine weather on our trip.  This is certainly a queer place as all you can see from where we are anchored is a few houses.  I do not know what the people are like yet as I have not been ashore.  Tomorrow we parade and then I will be able to tell you more about the place.  Two of the ships are in quarantine and have anchored apart from us.  We passed Leper Island this morning close enough to get a glimpse of the size of the village.  It was not a very large place but there seemed to be lots of people on the Island.  It is on Molokai Island.  The moutains are certainly numerous around these islands.  I will send you a paper that will explain quite abit so I will not need to explain about our welcome.  The Japs give us a welcome by shooting off day light fireworks.  We got here about 2 p.m. and dropped anchor at 2:30 p.m.  It is awfully hot here excpet the evenings which is cool.  How is business.  I am feeling fine and have been all the time.  I suppose everythings is all right at home.  Will write again before we leave.   Hoping you are well as ever.  Your son & Bud,  M. H. Willard

After Oct. 27, 1908 address my mail care of:

P.M. NY, NY

These photos show the ship anchored off Diamond Head and a photo from the hills overlooking Honolulu at the fleet anchored just off the city.

 These two cards are from the visit to Manila.  The card to the left shows the walls of the old fort.  His text describes leaving on Friday the 9th for Japan.  The second card shows a "Filipina Beauty" and asks his sister "Do you want one of these for a Sister-in-Law."

The top card shows the Welcome arch erected for the Fleet in Columbo, Ceylon.  This card is not part of the B & S series and was probably taken by Milton on one of his friends.

The card below appears to be taken at a train stop show a sailor waiting the the crowd for the arrival.  This was probably taken waiting for the train to Kandy.