Reflections of a Rational Republican

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, March 4, 1918

March 4, 1918

Arose 7 A.M.

Worked in Storeroom all morning.

Sighted Belle Isle 11 A.M.

Between Belle Isle and life buoy, sighted wake of a sub, then periscope visible every few seconds, about 3,000 yds. from us. Disappeared around southern end of island. Continue reading →

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, March 2, 1918

March 2, 1918

Arose 7 A.M.

Met convoy of 11 torpedo boat destroyers at 8 A.M.

Wireless picked up report of a running fight between a sub and a tramp steamer in which one man of the gun crew on the tramp was killed by shell fire from 6-inch deck gun on the sub. Steamer finally outdistancing the sub after a long chase.

Wireless also picked up S.O.S. call from a tanker which was sunk. No details as to survivors. Continue reading →

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, March 1, 1918

March 1, 1918

Arose 7 A.M. Life preservers uniform of the day. Turned to 8 A.M.

In war zone today. Weather cold. Have not yet met destroyers for our convoy.

Sat down to mess at 4.30.

Bell rang “Torpedo Defense,” and whistle on Huntington and Covington shrieked a warning to all the other ships. A dark object, said to have been the periscope of a submarine was showing, about 1-1/2 feet out of water, and between Huntington and this ship. Continue reading →

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 28, 1918

February 28, 1918

Arose 7 A.M.

Turned to at 8 A.M.

Worked around G.S.K. all day.

“General Quarters” in A.M.; “Abandon Ship” in afternoon.

Sea very calm; weather warm.

Speeding up to meet destroyers.

Had eats in our stateroom at night.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 27, 1918

February 27, 1918

Arose 7.15 A.M.

Turned to at 8.00 A.M.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 26, 1918

February 26, 1918

Arose 7 A.M.

Turned to at 8.30 A.M.

Worked in G.S.K. all day.

“Torpedo Defense” drill in A.M., “Abandon Ship” drill 3.50 P.M.

Weather fair first part day; drizzling rain in afternoon and evening.

U.S.S. “President Lincoln” buried man at sea today with ceremony; all flags on ships at half mast.

Turned in at 8 P.M.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 26, 1918

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 25, 1918

February 25, 1918

Arose 7.20 A.M.

Lashed blankets and mattress out for air.

Turned to at 8 A.M.

DeKalb taking position for towing target for other ships in target practice.

Ran very slowly all day and night.

Fine warm weather. First clear day we have had.

Turned in at 8 P.M.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 24, 1918

February 24, 1918

Arose 9.20 A.M. Missed mess.

Bummed around ship all day.

Heavy rain storm started at noon; high wind, ship rolling and pitching. Running very slowly.

Turned in at 8 P.M.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 23, 1918

February 23, 1918

Arose 7.20 A.M., ate and turned to at 8.30.

Climbed to station in main top when we sighted a speedy tanker.

Had “Abandon Ship” drill 3 P.M.

Still blowing a gale. Calmed down at night.

Turned in at 6 P.M.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 23, 1918

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 22, 1918

February 22, 1918

Arose at 7 A.M. Ate and turned to.

Snow squalls all day.

Over sea-sickness, but very weak.

Had “General Quarters” when we sighted a ship acting suspiciously.

Had to climb up ratlines to my station in main top. Rolling something fierce up there and very cold, also snowing. Stayed up 1/2 hr until we outsped other ship.

“Abandon Ship” drill in afternoon.

We picked up rest of convoy this afternoon and are running abreast of “President Grant,” on which Jack Fox is assigned.

Ran slow all night on account of one of the ships having engine trouble.

Turned in a 6 P.M.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 22, 1918