St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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7 R. D. Williamson R. D. Rossi, A. B., '08 Chas. Lafferty A. Costello fcenter, groundj C. J. Wiseman 12d on left, groundj Lieut. J. J. Harrington, L. R. Jacobson, LL. B., '16 A. B., LL. B., '16

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28 THE IGNA TI.-IN extended his hand to the other, and both shook hands warm- ly. The old Dutch captain was on the verge of breaking down. You can't appreciate what the entire affair meant. and no description of mine could aid you. Tomorrow morn- ing at 8 o'clock the Stars and Stripes are raised and it be- comes an American vessel: the crews of not only this, but all other Dutch ships seized, are put off and deported back to Holland. XYe are now acting as armed guard and are patrolling all parts of her, for fear that they may attempt to tamper with her. I have just come in off watch in the engine-room and am going to turn in. Tomorrow we move over to the New York side and dock. All told, there are 1-l- of us in the crew-the six of us whom T mentioned before and one other: also seven firemen. Every Dutch vessel is armed with the same sort of crew along with two offlcers. The living-quarters are line and we are all patting our- selves on the shoulder for drawing such a class A boat. To- morrow we take on United States cooks. and you can rest assured that we will continue to be fed in regular navy style. Everything is great, and the spirits of all of us are high. What the next move will be none of us knows, but it is almost certain that we will be around here for some time to come, and whatever trip we may make will not be far from home shores, As I said before, we are all a triHe disappoint- ed, but I suppose that it is all for the best. so none of us complains. That just about constitutes a record of today's events. lt has been a busy day and one that I'll always remember. New Yorks waterways are just as crowded and busy as its streets. Boats by the thousands are steaming continually to and frog it is like a city on the water. The city lying across the way looks beautiful, all illuminated. Thomas Edi- son's plant is almost directly opposite us. I guess they are working niffht and day there. for the worl's are 0'oin0 full 6 C - X .5 m blast now.

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30 THE IGNATIAN We haven't been told what arrangemcntS to make f01' mail, so you had better not write until I let you know fur- ther. How do you feel today? Both well and contented, I hope, with neither worrying about their big son. Remember, Mother, your promise to be a good girl, and Dad, dear. don't forget that you are the guardsman. Good-night, and all my love to you both. Charlie. Ellis Island, March 31, 1918. Easter Sunday Morning, ll o'clock A. M. My Dearest Dad and Mother: Ilm so happy this Easter morning that I don't think that I will be able to propel my pen quickly enough to tell you all my thoughts. To begin with the beginning: Last night after I had written you from the Y. RI. C. A., I started out for Saint Patricks Cathedral. It was only a few blocks away and I had no difficulty finding it. I stepped in, expecting to find the ordinary church decorations, but I was literally swept off my feet at the grandeur and splendor that were unveiled to my eyes. If there is anything more beautiful in the whole world. it will take a great deal of argumentation on some one's part to convince me. lYere you inside, Mother? I will not undertake even a feeble description of the interior, because I firmly believe that no human being has de- scriptive powers sufficient to give one even the slightest pen picture of it. There are side altars and alcoves every few feet, the most wonderful creations that the hand of man can accomplish. Priceless paintings and statues seem to adorn every crevice. These altars extend along the side and behind the main altar, so that I was enabled to encircle the entire church. The main altar is one mass of glory and was fully adorned with flowers banked on every side, as the scene was set for Easter