Death of a Wooden Shoe - U.S. Coast Guard

Talledo still on my tail!
July 16, Thursday; At sea, northbound.
Took on a load of fresh water from a large freighter in the harbor. I do not learn
it’s name. We tie up alongside of it and pump water directly from it’s tank into
ours. Maggie promises we will not always get water this easily.
Wrote a letter to Lucille but did not mail it because I am not on shore liberty
today. Washed clothes, practiced semaphore with another ship that is at anchor.
Also sculled a skiff around the harbor. There are a great many seals frolicking in
the harbor. When the tide is low, a number of hulls of very large, concrete, World
War I vessels can be seen. They were built to be used as open barges to be
towed laden with war materials. These were possibly leftovers. They were
expected to remain intact for just one ocean crossing. My mind could not accept
that concrete vessels could be loaded and floated across the ocean intact. I was
assured it was true.
Our diet of entertainment on board the Nanok consists of studying, dice-rolling,
card playing, and group singing, take your choice, but no radio. My three
harmonicas come in handy even though I don't play very well.
Since Dicastro came on board yesterday, Cookie Clark became restricted from
any liberty until further notice because he was a fatal five minutes late serving
chow. Can you believe that! Dicastro was meaner than hell with Clark! Too bad.
Clark is one of the most conscientious workers on board. Privately, Clark tells me
of four or five things Dicastro can do with his liberty. None of Clark’s suggestions
are practical or even possible. Dicastro, I'm sure, would have a most difficult time
trying to do as Clark suggested.
I got the four to eight p.m. watch. The hook is hauled in and we leave Portland
about 5:15 p.m. I wheel the Nanok out of the harbor. Bos’n Robbins assists
because the Nanok controls are very stiff. We are one of a convoy of five
vessels, the Nanok being the smallest. All of the others are at least three times
our size. I’d give my left nostril to sail on board any of them.
July 17, Friday; at sea.
Passed Halifax, Nova Scotia, bound north and east. Saw many porpoises. Frisky
and fun to watch. Reading King's Row, good story. Practiced firing 20mm antiaircraft
guns.
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