Powhatan Clarke letter to Mother - January 14, 1918
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Monday [January] 14
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going over in one of the big German liners. The only part of the description that fits this craft is that she was German. You or [ms illegible: 1 wd] would lift your hands in honor if you had to cross in her but so far the trip has been a very pleasant surprise. The sea has been smooth as a mill pond and the transport has had only a gentle roll so far. I felt squeamish for a day but was never sick. I
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our way around the stateroom in pitch blackness. The smoking room and dining room are lighted but are on what is called a battle circuit. Whenever you open a door the lights go out. Of course these lights do not show outside. Its highly provoking to come to an interesting part of a book and have people come in or leave the room. Just as the villain is about to shoot, out go the lights. We are now wearing life preservers constantly but I have no fear that we shall have to use them. If the subs have any sense they will keep their distance from us. The funny thing about the lookout is that our men time after time, in fact the majority of times, pick up on an object before the sailors on lookout. We have an orchestra made up from one of the units on board and have music at lunch and dinner also concerts at night. There is some very good material among the men. The officer sunning the entertainment has discovered many good voices, several very good monologists, one first class magician (he is only able to do card tricks on account of lack of equipment) and an end man in an old minstrel show. I wish I had stocked up on some new music as what the orchestra has is a little old.
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Poker, chess, books, (we have a small library) eats, sleep, and a tour of lookout duty are the regular routine. I am getting rather tired of it and hope it will end soon. None but the Naval officers know where we are and they certainly can keep it dark. My clothes are getting to an awful state if I don
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Let me know each development with regard to Taunt Honey Bee
Details
| Title | Powhatan Clarke letter to Mother - January 14, 1918 |
| Creator | Clarke, Powhatan |
| Source | Clarke, Powhatan. Letter to Mother. 14 January 1918. Clarke, Powhatan Papers. A0293. Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | Letter from Powhatan Clarke to his mother about his life aboard the Mercury. He also mentioned his recent inheritance. Clarke served with the 21st Aero Squadron and Labor Bureau A.E.F. during Word War I. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Transportation; World War, 1914-1918--Military life--United States; World War, 1914-1918--Music and the war |
| Subject Local | World War I; WWI; United States. Army. Aero Squadron, 21st |
| Site Accession Number | A0293 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | January 14, 1918 |
| Language | English |