1918 Yearbook
Source URL
Title
1918 Yearbook
Description
and fiercely resisted the invaders. Towns and villages were swept out of
existence by the terrible drive. For three years the storm raged on, ranking
among the worst in the history of mankind. Fierce fighting took place in
Belgium and northern France and in the passes of the Carpathian Mountains. Numerous attempts on Paris were slowly but firmly repulsed with
great losses.
"April 6, 1917"
But then came the memorable date of April 6, 1917, when the whole
course of the world's history was abruptly changed. The invasion of Belgium struck pity into the hearts of the American people. The torpedoing
and sinking of the famous Lusitania made them see fire and they clamored
for reprisal, so that on the celebrated date of April 6, 1917, President Wilson, with the consent of Congress, declared a state of war to exist between
the United States and Germany.
At this time I was spending a few months in Boston, and immediately
I enlisted in the 34th New York Infantry, ( organized for immediate overseas service.)
From over the sea came the call for haste. Belgium had died that civilization might live. France stood as a blood-guard over a threatened
world, exposed to the merciless thrusts of a barbarous executioner. Stately
old England, stripped for the fight, listened for the voice of her strongest
son, who had broken from home in early youth. Now the prodigal was returning, not to seek, but to give the much needed aid.
"Off For France"
We embarked from New York on the British transport Formidable, a
fifteen thousand ton vessel capable of eighteen knots. The greater part
of the journey was accomplished without mishap and we safely entered
the English Channel under a heavy and viligant escort of four destroyers
and a British cruiser. Already we were within a night's distance of our
goal, when the disaster fell. I was sleeping in my berth, when about three
o'clock in the morning I was roused by a fierce crash followed by a deafening explosion. I rushed on deck and found it swarming with half-clad, bewildered men. Already the ship was beginning to list, and progress on the
deck was with the utmost difficulty and danger to life.
The water had already flooded the boiler room, killing the fires, and as
there had been no escape for stokers, they had perished like rats at their
posts. Then the boilers exploded, tearing out the vessel's side, and allowing enough water to enter so that she slowly returned to an even keel.
The men by this time had all been provided with life belts, and were
held in readiness to enter the boats. They were pale but calm and uttered
no sounds. In a short time the captain came down from the bridge and
shouted: "Into the boats with you; she's going down." In an orderly
fashion the men entered the boats and pulled from the fated vessel. Later
we were picked up by the New Zeland, which had started in pursuit of the
under-sea boat, but had failed in the quest as the submarine had immediately dived under.
existence by the terrible drive. For three years the storm raged on, ranking
among the worst in the history of mankind. Fierce fighting took place in
Belgium and northern France and in the passes of the Carpathian Mountains. Numerous attempts on Paris were slowly but firmly repulsed with
great losses.
"April 6, 1917"
But then came the memorable date of April 6, 1917, when the whole
course of the world's history was abruptly changed. The invasion of Belgium struck pity into the hearts of the American people. The torpedoing
and sinking of the famous Lusitania made them see fire and they clamored
for reprisal, so that on the celebrated date of April 6, 1917, President Wilson, with the consent of Congress, declared a state of war to exist between
the United States and Germany.
At this time I was spending a few months in Boston, and immediately
I enlisted in the 34th New York Infantry, ( organized for immediate overseas service.)
From over the sea came the call for haste. Belgium had died that civilization might live. France stood as a blood-guard over a threatened
world, exposed to the merciless thrusts of a barbarous executioner. Stately
old England, stripped for the fight, listened for the voice of her strongest
son, who had broken from home in early youth. Now the prodigal was returning, not to seek, but to give the much needed aid.
"Off For France"
We embarked from New York on the British transport Formidable, a
fifteen thousand ton vessel capable of eighteen knots. The greater part
of the journey was accomplished without mishap and we safely entered
the English Channel under a heavy and viligant escort of four destroyers
and a British cruiser. Already we were within a night's distance of our
goal, when the disaster fell. I was sleeping in my berth, when about three
o'clock in the morning I was roused by a fierce crash followed by a deafening explosion. I rushed on deck and found it swarming with half-clad, bewildered men. Already the ship was beginning to list, and progress on the
deck was with the utmost difficulty and danger to life.
The water had already flooded the boiler room, killing the fires, and as
there had been no escape for stokers, they had perished like rats at their
posts. Then the boilers exploded, tearing out the vessel's side, and allowing enough water to enter so that she slowly returned to an even keel.
The men by this time had all been provided with life belts, and were
held in readiness to enter the boats. They were pale but calm and uttered
no sounds. In a short time the captain came down from the bridge and
shouted: "Into the boats with you; she's going down." In an orderly
fashion the men entered the boats and pulled from the fated vessel. Later
we were picked up by the New Zeland, which had started in pursuit of the
under-sea boat, but had failed in the quest as the submarine had immediately dived under.
Publisher
Wagner's Printery
Date
1918
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/6676