Yokohama, Japan

10/19/08

Dear Folks & All

One 1^st class gunners mate from the Rhode Island was washed overboard and drowned.  A man on the Missouri died from heart trouble and we sent a man today to the hospital who was pretty badly injured during the storm.  At last, after it was all over, we began looking for the fleet and only found ten or eleven ships.  The Kentucky lost her top mast. 

That is about all the news except that we got here Sunday a.m. about 9 o’clock.  I will not be able to get ashore as I broke my liberty in Australia but I will no doubt go ashore in Manila.  I have spent about $6 for silk so far but can not send it with out paying duty on it so I am going to wait until I come home on my furlow and then bring a the stuff home.  I guess I have something for everyone.  I got a silk kimono all silk and very pretty for $1.50 and paid $2 for a swell pocket book and belt.  I am going to buy all the silk goods I can because it is as cheap as gingham.  I may get some good boxes of cigars in Manila for Dad if he still smokes.   got a silk kimono all silk and very pretty for $1.50 and paid $2 for a swell pocket book and belt.  I am going to buy all the silk goods I can because it is as cheap as gingham. 

I may get some good boxes of cigars in Manila for Dad if he still smokes.  Yes I have crossed the equator 4 times and the 180 meridian so far and expect to gain a day going back if we cross it which I think we will.  By the time a person is that far along and been through the typhoons and monsoons he is apt to become a sailor soon.  So Papa has sold out has he.  Well of all the foolish things he ever done that is the limit.  Why didn’t he show those people where they belonged.  I had sooner set a place of business and shoot the first person who tries to put it out than give up a good business.  I guess it does not do us any good to make a good home as we no sooner get settled than we have to tear up and get.  If I ever get married I am going to live in one place.  If I settle on the Pacific Coast I will live there if my business takes me to New York.  I don’t believe in jumping around and besides it cost money to move. 

No wonder Kit does not get much time for any thing else.  If I had as many girls to look out for as she has boys I would be going at all times as it is I am pretty busy.  Yes Kit had just as soon go for an automobile ride but not because it pleases the fellow but because it pleases her.  I don’t care how many fellows she has as long as there is plenty of good times for her.  Have your fun while you are young because when you are dead you are a long time dead. 

You speak just as though I was coming home next winter or in February.  I don’t think so as you see we will  go to Hampton Roads for review and then to Guantanamo, Cuba for target practice and then come back and go into dock.  I am planning on getting home in April or May.  I can promise you when I do come I will do damage to some of that canned stuff. 

So Bob is getting his deserts at the machine.  Well I only hope he makes a better wash women than I did as those 12 min. I used to turn the machine seemed awfully long to me.  I don’t suppose your washing now is as large as it was then.  Everybody works but Peter and he whistles for his meals.  I hope with all his whistling he grows up to be a better boy than me. 

Your cousin in New Zealand you speak of are living in Melbourne.  They just moved there lately.  Our stay in Honolulu was short and between work and other things I was lucky to write one letter.  I also got a Lake Co. Ex from Mr. Bowman and if I knew he was going to put my letter in the paper I would have written him a nice long letter.  I have had several letters from Mrs. Bowman and have also received several papers.  I guess it is a very small place but he is doing fine he said in one letter.  I was quite surprised when I got a letter from Roger in Brooklyn.  I also received Paul's picture.  I am addressing most of Paul’s mail to you so you can forward it to him.  I guess by the way your letter reads you are all pretty busy at home except Vera as I see by the paper she is home now.  He better pay Bob enough for helping him and if he tries to cheat him any he will have me to settle with as I have one grudge against him already. 

Kit would like to do a great many things if she could but anything to give her an education.  She is a great girl to study.  Everybody I show that picture to of him things that it is awfully cute.  It will not be long until I do see him. 

After leaving Manila we stop at Colombo, Port Said, Suez and Gibraltar also Genoa then cross the Atlantic.  That will complete our trip around the world which I will be mighty glad when it is finished. 

It would be nice if Roger could stay with Paul all the time but he must be old enough to take care of himself by now if he is left alone.  By your letters Kit must be popular and she may not look at me when I get home.  Are you still using my money.  If you are not instead of sending $15 home I will send $3 which will save me the trouble of putting it in the bank here.  Please let me know so when I get back I can write to you for money to make a furlow if I need it.  Well I guess I will close now with best regards and love to all.

I remain your son,

Milton Willard

Cards from Amoy, China

 There are few cards available and canceled from the eight ships that visited Amoy.  The USS Missouri with George Biller visited the port and allowed these three cards mailed to Fannie.

 Milton's Mail from Manila

Cavite, P.I.

Nov. 7, 1908

Dear Mother,

Here it is noon time on the “Georgia” and we are at anchor in Manila Bay.  It has been awfully hot while we have been here and today seems to be still more hot than before.  If you go outside without a jumper on you are sure to get baked.  I suppose by the time we are ready to leave we will be getting used to it.  The rumor is now that we leave here Dec. 1 for Colombo.  We are on the range firing 1 lb. shots everyday for drill but we will commence firing in our regular battle practice about Nov. 14.  After leaving Japan instead of going to Manila we went into “Cubic” Bay a little ways from Manila Bay.  The town is called Olongopo and the Dewey drydock is situated there.

It is a mammoth structure and well worth seeing.  We coaled and painted ship there and bore-sited all the guns before leaving for Manila.  The Second Squadron left us the second day out of Japan for Amoy, China and are expected to arrive here very soon.  There will be no liberty until the 25^th of this month and that will only last for 5 days.  The Yankton is out having battle practice.  There is one thing about this place that beats Magdalena Bay and that is all our targets are put up for us and another thing the bay is calm and not a breeze is blowing or stirring.  I will be only too glad when it is all over with that is battle practice and when we start back for the states.  I hope Roger and Paul don’t take their vacation until I do so as we can always be home together and if Vera is not home when I come there will be something doing.  Enclosed you will find a money order for $10 which please add to my account and tell me just how much I have home.  Trusting I have enough to make a furlow on.  I am your son,

Milton W.

The Georgia arrived in Colombo before the rest of the fleet having come down with a case of small pox.  From Milton's letter he describes the Georgia as the "fastest ship in the fleet" and left the fleet behind to head for Colombo averaging 15 knots with the force draft blowers.  The letter from Milton was dated December 12th, the day before the rest of the fleet arriving.  Upon arriving he is surprised by the ship initially going to the quarantine anchorage they were able to lower the flag and proceed without restrictions once the crew member had been transferred.

Colombo, Ceylon

December 12, 1908

Dear Folks:

No doubt you will be surprised at the heading so soon but you know as the Georgia is the fastest ship in the fleet we left the fleet way behind a few days ago and headed straight for Colombo.  One evening about 8:30 p.m. December 9, 1908 we telegraphed to the fleet surgeon we had a case of small pox on board and shortly afterward got word to make all speed possible to Colombo.  

Of course that meant more work for the fireman as they had to use forced draft in order to make 15 knots.  We got here this morning about 7:30 and let out one anchor instead of anchoring outside we went right inside the breakwater and then up to buoys.  At our foremast we had the quarantine flag flying and shortly a health officer came aboard and got the patient and took him ashore.  I do not see how it was we were not kept in quarantine but soon after we took down the quarantine flag and began coaling ship and we are still at it.  

I am on watch now in the dynamo room.  About seven days out from Manila we passed through Malacca Straits and run close by Singapore.  A few boats came out to meet us and as we passed by one boat an American woman hollered out the captain on the bridge though a megaphone: "Please take me home with you."  I believe he would have if we had been alone.  I don't think I will get ashore here at all as only special 1st class men can go and I am only 1st Class.  The fleet is expected in sometime tomorrow Sunday.  I will be the first time we have left the fleet since leaving Frisco and I guess it will be the last.  We got mail today and Huey Storm certainly can write letters.  I either get one or two from her in every mail and I never fail to get hers whether I get one from home or not.  This letter I got from you today is dated Oct 25, and that is just a letter over one month old.  I got a letter from a girl in Compton Cal. two from LucyS. cards from city contract agent Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co. one from a fellow in Frisco, one from Lucy S. and one from a fellow in Santa Paula, Cal.  That is not so bad but it could be better.  

That add of Papa's in the paper is quite curious and might do for a pawn shop or grocery store, but for a man that has had pops experience in add writing it does not speak very well.  Just to show you how I would put such an add in, I am going to send his back with marks on it showing how I would do it.  I may have no head for business but I had sooner see a store fail than carry on Jew fashion.  I may be doing wrong by dictating to an old head but I can see those things in a different way than he.  I know dad is getting old and that is why I am so anxious to get in the store with him.  My idea of a store is a gents furnishing house and I think I could do pretty well after a week at it.  I can tell better later.

So you got my mail from Australia at last.  She was right about the girls.  yes the Maine & Alabama are back and we soon will be.  Where did you ever get the idea we would be back Dec 16, I don't think I ever told you.  We are not due until Feb. 21, 190 and I don't intend to come home until about May or June.  As soon as we leave the Roads in Virginia we go to Cuba for target practice and then back home to the yard.  We can not stay where it is cold after coming out of this hot climate.  You get more news through the paper than we get.  May be you think I can't dance I may surprise you when I come home.  

Well mother I guess this will be all for now so will close with best love to all.

Your Son Milton W.

Kiss Peter for me and Frances also.  Tell them to write.