Page:The North Carolina Historical Review - Volume 1, Number 1.pdf/48

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The North Carolina Historical Review

some trace of him, but without success. Tonight we will again sleep in our clothes and hope for no disturbances.

June 12, 1918, Wednesday, on board Talthybius and en route to Dover. I was up this morning at 2:30 a. m., and saw the convoy make the turn into Liverpool Bay and go into column of ships. I went back to bed and slept soundly until 6:00 a. m., when I got up for the day. We are still in the track of submarines but land is so close we do not have the uneasy feelings we had before. We still stick to the life belts. We had to anchor off the sand bar at the mouth of Mersey River as there was not sufficient depth of water for our ship. We had to wait until 12:30 p. m. The sail up the river to Liverpool was most delightful and full of interest. The town across the river from Liverpool was exactly like the descriptions I have read. It was a beautiful sight. The tremendous dock system with use of locks was beyond anything I had thought of. I wish I could have had more time to study them. It took us from 1:30 to nearly 3 p. m. to dock the ship. Immediately we made preparation to disembark and at 5:30 we were on train en route to Dover. All we saw of Liverpool was from the ship and the walk along a waterfront road to depot where we took the London and North western to Dover. Reached here at 3:15 a. m. Detrained and marched to camp about a mile and a half from depot. We are billeted in old Dover and well taken care of. They gave us a bite to eat before turning in (now 4:20 a. m.). We can hear aeroplanes flying overhead but can not see them. All windows are darkened. I have been to England. Made a trip across the country, saw a bit of station and three lamp posts in London at 1:30 a. m. But I have seen London. Also saw Stafford and Rugby. At Rugby we were furnished coffee and then had to pay £4.11 shillings for it. It was not a gift. I am tired and sleepy, my Mazie, am must turn in. Good night, dear heart.

June 13, 1918, Thursday. I do not realize that I am in England, that we are separated by the Atlantic ocean. While many things are strange to me yet most things seem natural. The first startling difference was that of the railroad trains. The small cars, both passenger and freight, looked strange and weak, as