 On
December 31, New Years Eve, after dark, we sneaked out of Le
Havre and beat it straight across the English Channel, reaching
the English coast 10 miles to the eastward of the Isle of Wight
at dawn. Then proceeded westward through the Channel around
Land’s End and up the Bristol Channel to Swansea, Wales,
for orders.
We received the orders promptly
and went on to Newport, which is a suburb of Cardiff. There
we loaded 950 tons of slag from the coal mines, which we carry
for ballast. As much faith and confidence as I have in our Juliette,
I wouldn’t dare to try to drive her across the north Atlantic
in the winter without some weight in her.
We left Newport January 6 and
arrived at Milford Haven the following day. This is the convoy
port. On January 9 we sailed from there with a convoy of 104
ships. We pulled out of Milford Haven in a single column through
a narrow swept channel and 1,000 feet astern of us No. 94 got
a little out of line and struck a mine. God knows what happened
to those poor fellows. She was sinking fast when we last saw
her. Perhaps the beautiful bible and hymnal you sent us had
something to do with all our good luck. Things went along as
well as could be expected until we reached the Banks of New
Foundland and got into the Labrador current where we met the
storm. The next morning the convoy looked like so many chunks
of floating ice. The seas breaking over the ship as high as
the mast tops and freezing as soon as it landed. But these things
we expect. They all come in the voyage. Just put on all the
sweaters you have and let it blow.
Again permit me and the crew to
thank you and all the Girl Scouts for the Christmas presents
and books, which helped so much to make this voyage such a pleasant
one. I will call on Miss. Rusk as soon as possible, hoping to
get a fresh supply of books.
Hoping this finds you enjoying
the very best of health and happiness.
Our very sincerest to you and the Scouts.
W. F. O’Toole
Master “SS Juliette Low”
Note:
This letter was transcribed from xerox copies sent by Pat
Ross of the Cedar Hill Museum to Margaret Sheriff, chair of
the GSSJC History Committee from an exhibit at the Ships of
the Sea museum on the waterfront in Savannah GA. Photos of
the exhibit are in scrapbook #261 located at the Girl Scout
Museum at Cedar Hill, Patriot’s Trail Council, Waltham
MA. |
Compass and brass keys from the USS
"Juliette Low." Received in 1972 by GSSJC.
Aft wheel from USS "Juliette Low."
Received in 1972 by GSSJC.
|
