Reflections of a Rational Republican

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 21, 1918

February 21, 1918

Arose at 7 A.M., ate and turned to 8 A.M.

Worked until noon and turned in to bunk at 1 P.M.

Got out for “Abandon Ship” drill at 2 P.M.

Went back to bunk and stayed rest of day and that night.

Sea still very heavy; snow, rain and sleet squalls all day.

Ran slow all night so would not pass convoy in the storm.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 20, 1918

February 20, 1918

Arose at 7 A.M.; Still sick.

Wind very high and ship rolling heavily.

Went back to bunk and stayed all day and that night. Didn’t eat anything.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 19, 1918

February 19, 1918

Arose at 7.30.

Ship left Phila. 8.30 A.M.

Worked in G.S.K. all morning and giving out life preservers in gym all afternoon.

Arrived Breakwater 4.30 P.M.

Raining all day; heavy sea; Taken seasick at 5.30 and lost my supper.

Went to bunk at 6.00.

No lights aboard.

U.S.S. DeKalb, 18 February 1918, Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

February 18, 1918

Came in on first car; turned to at 8 A.M.

Took out working party for stores in A.M.

Worked in G.S.K. all afternoon and until 8 P.M. stowing mess gear.

No liberty today.

Expect to sail in A.M.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 18, 1918

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 17, 1918

February 17, 1918

Arose at 8 A.M.

Turned to in G.S.K. until 10; On liberty 1 P.M. Went home.

Took troops aboard today.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 16, 1918

February 16, 1918

Came in on 5.30 A.M. car; turned to at 8.30.

Worked around G.S.K. all day.

We took 302 sailors aboard 5 P.M. bound for Naval Aviation Corps “Somewhere in France.”

Stayed aboard on watch.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 15, 1918

February 15, 1918

Arose 8.30 A.M.

Took out two working parties for stores. Thru at 3.45 P.M.

On liberty; went home.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 14, 1918

February 14, 1918

Came in on 5.30 car.

Turned to at 8 A.M.

Took out working party of 8 men to return excess stores. Thru at 3 P.M.

Stayed aboard. Turned in at 8.30.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 13, 1918

February 13, 1918

Arose at 8.00; shaved and washed.

Took out working party in A.M. for stores, and in P.M. to take back stores.

On liberty 3.45; went to Media. Peg staying at my home for week; Expects to go to Aunt Lizzie’s while I am away.

Stayed at my home overnight.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 13, 1918

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 12, 1918

February 12, 1918

Arose at 8 A.M. (too late for mess)

Finished half cocoanut (sic) pie left from last night.

Worked around G.S.K. in morning.

Took out working party for stores at 12.45 P.M.

Our fellows dropped a big case of glass while lowering down hold with the whip – broke every piece – (sizes 36″ x 48″ x 1/8″).

On duty in Pay Office until 10 P.M.

Turned in 10.30.

Source: C. Gilbert Hazlett, February 12, 1918