Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Not mentioned this letter: on Nov. 9, the USS Agamemnon collided with the USS Von Steuben, another ship in the same convoy.

Dear Folks,

As I have lots of time now and may not have after a while I will write now.

We have been on this boat for about 12 days and may be on it a while longer. Of course we have not been moving all of that time. The Atlantic Ocean seems like a big place to a person that has never been on it before. It seems as if you were on the top of a hill of water about 6 miles in diameter and though we move we never get to the edge.

We left Camp Devens one First-Day⁽¹⁾Sunday evening. We did not know where we were going but we had a good idea. We didn’t waste much time getting aboard the transport. For a couple of weeks we had thought we must be going soon, altho we had not been told anything definite. I do not have much fear about getting across. I feel quite safe and I figure the government is just as anxious to get us across safe as we are, so I don’t think they take any chances on letting us be sent to the bottom.

We have certainly been favored with a quiet ocean. There were quite a few soldiers on board and we expected to have a fine time if everybody got seasick. It seems remarkable but is true. I have not had the least trouble myself. Of course we might strike a storm yet but so far every thing is all right.

We get fed very well on here. They give us butter twice a day and applesauce quite often. We have had oranges twice and apples twice. They say the ships provisions are running low and I don’t wonder, considering the amount to be fed and their appetites. The salt air seems to be good for a person. I had a sore throat when I came aboard and lost it in a few days. We have been running thru the Gulf Stream and the weather has been quite mild. We seldom wear a coat in the daytime. Our company has been given permission to sleep on deck so that is where I have spent my nights for over a week and have been getting in some good sleeps. We go to bed about dark and get up about daylight. This certainly is an easy life. About all we have to do is to eat, sleep and go through a couple of fire drills each day. They have a very good system of alarming the boat.

This letter will be censored. I have heard that they use a pair of scissors so am writing on one side of this paper only. When you write, tell me what percent is taken out.

We have met very few ships but have seen quite a few fish and seagulls. Some fellows thought they saw a whale but I think it was imagination.

Altho we have had a good trip and an easy time since we came aboard, yet everyone will be glad when land is sighted. When we get established in France I will write and tell you about the country and our work as much as I am allowed.

Except that I didn’t get to see my friends and relations, I am glad that I am being sent across now so I can go to doing something, instead of spending several months in a training camp in U.S. And don’t worry about me as I am getting along fine.

Lovingly,
Joel

Nov.11 We are almost across now. Have just passed thru what is considered the most dangerous part of the trip without any trouble. I was not sick at any time during the trip. Have had very favorable weather and sea.

My new address is: Co. B, 25th Engineers, Am. Exp. Forces, via New York