Sunday, December 13, 2009

Congo (116) S.S. Olympic 3/12/1925 (BMS] [DCS]

On Board S.S. "OLYMPIC.”

Thursday, March 12, 1925

11.30 A.M.

Dear Folks:

Well, here we are on the broad broad waters, with a beautiful day and calm sea; we couldn't ask for a better day or sea, and all of us are feeling fine. However, this last cannot be said for us for the earlier part of the trip, for we had a very bad beginning. Dorothy had a little chill the first night we were on board, and I was seasick all that night and the next day. Our cabin was a bit cool when we got on board, and I think this was the chief cause for Dorothy's chill. However, she was fully recovered by Tuesday, and is now feeling fine. Strange to say, the baby has been well and cheerful all the way, even when Dorothy was not feeling well; we had anticipated trouble with him after he felt the effects of Dorothy's illness, but he has really given us less trouble on board than he ever has. He's just happy and cheerful practically all the time--just getting brighter and cuter every day! ! (Of course!) He hardly ever fails to smile at anyone who notices him. All the stewardess seem quite taken with him.

Our accommodations aboard are good, altho not quite nice as on the ACQUITANIA. Our cabin is small for the three of us, but since we are able to be on deck more it is much better. The food is fine, and the help in the way of stewards and

stewardess is better than any boat we have been on yet. We haven't been out enough to get very well acquainted with many of the passengers. There are a large number of foreigners in our class, lots of Italians, Germans, with some French, Bohemians, Czechoslovakians, et cetera; only a few Americans and English. I understand there are more Americans in First Class.

We have had no exciting events on board; that will take place tomorrow, for we are to reach Cherbourg, Franc, about noon tomorrow, and then Southampton, where we land, abut late afternoon. It is hardly possible that we will be able to cross the channel tomorrow evening, as we will reach Southampton too late, but we shall no doubt get to Antwerp some time Saturday. If we should reach Southampton early in the afternoon tomorrow, then we would be in Antwerp Saturday morning about eight.

As the Cranes and the McKees are due to be on their way home, we are hoping to meet them in Antwerp. Dorothy has never met them, and they are both old friends of mine, so we are anxious to see them.

We hope that you have received your wireless set by this time and that you will have no difficulty in getting it rigged Lip. If you get it in good working order it will no doubt be a source of great pleasure and entertainment for you, and I know you will agree with us that it was nice of Mr. Park to send it. He said he wanted to do this when we came thru in April last year. They were both very much taken with the baby.

We had quite a lot of packages to take out with us; in fact much more than we had anticipated, as it took over two trunks to contain them, Of course, a few people took advantage of the offer and sent a great deal, but most of the packages were small. It will mean a great deal to the folks out there to get them.

It has not been quite as cold as we thought we would find it this time of the year on the ocean. Of course the air has been cool and bracing, but not really cold. This has of course been fine for the baby.

We will write you again from Antwerp. By the time you receive this we will no doubt be preparing to sail for the Congo.

One important event is that the clock is set back 45 minutes every night, and Max seems to think it is still about 8:00 o'clock when it's twelve by the ship's time!

We are thankful to be feeling fine today, and also that we are to land tomorrow. With love for all from us all.

Dorothy and B. M.

No comments:

Post a Comment