From Richland Beacon News Sat, 2 Jan 1999 15:32:45 - Letter home from serviceman 1918 Submitted by:Donald Patrick (rossp@bayou.com) ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** TWO RAYVILLE BOYS WERE ON THE TUSCANIA Rayville Man, However, Says Incident Put Fighting Blood Into His Veins "Somewhere in Englund" February 11, 1918 My Dear Home Folks: Well, I have been safe on land for five days, but have not known what nor how to write on account of Tommie. Have thought every day I would hear of him or we would get together. I know you all were worried about us when you heard of the fate of the Tuscania with American troops on it. It was in the afternoon and had gotten dark. We were going through the Irish Channel and had seen land in the afternoon and were all feeling good because we thought as it was near dark we were safe and would wake up anchored at some port the next morning. Tommie Cook and I were in another stateroom with two boys from Monroe and several other boys. It was 5:30 p.m. when the torpedo struck us and the explosion came immediately The ship went dark at once as the torpedo struck about amidship on the starboard side and exploded under the engine room. Mirrors and all the glass shattered at once. One of the boys said: "There she is boys." I was nearest the door so I found the latch, opened the door and we got out into the hall where there was quite a crowd, but those who were cool enough were shouting, "take your time," "move along" and "keep your head." I had to make my way to my stateroom and get my life belt, then make my way up stairs and out on deck to the life boat to which I had been assigned. When I got on deck the ship had listed a good deal to the starboard side. The Captain of the ship had turned on the emergency dynamo and had some light. There was a good deal of shooting and they were sending up rockets signaling for help. My boat was on the port side and on account of the ship's list we had some trouble in getting the boats off, but soon lowered the first boat with 53 men in it and they pulled away. Then we had some work getting our raft off. I ran over to the Starboard side to make Tommie come in the boat with me so we would not be separated but he had already gone in the first life boat, so one of the boys toll me, then I went back to my boat and we soon let our raft down empty and ten went down to it on a rope. The boat was soon filled and we pulled away from the ship. The sea seemed pretty rough for a life boat and it was hard work to get away from the ship the wind was blowing towards the ship. As we worked our way away from the ship I saw several bodies floating and heard a good many cries for help but we could not get to them. We pulled in one man who had fallen out of a boat. It seems that several jumped overboard in excitement and some were thrown out of the life boats while being lowered. I was glad to see as we moved away from the ship that one of the torpedo destroyers in our convoy went up to the ship and loaded a bunch and have later found out that two other destroyers went up and loaded a bunch. We were out of sight of the Tuscania when she went down but have heard several describe it and they say it turned bow down, broke amidship and the boilers exploded. We vainly tried to run to a light we thought was a light house, but the wind was against us, so about all we could do was to hold the boat so we would ride the waves right. Several times, before nine o'clock, we saw a destroyer some distance away and signaled them with a flash light but they were scooting for the submarine and would not take us on then and it is reported they sank the sub. We rowed and drifted with a wind for quite a while. We found a pail in the boat and with this and our hats kept the water out of the boat as best we could, which washed over the sides and leaked in. Later on we found some red signal torches and used them at times. We came in sight of land about ten o'clock but when we got closer saw that it was a cliff and that the waves would dash us to death if we did not stay away from it, so had to row as hard as we could to stay away from that until we were picked up. About twelve o'clock, we sighted a boat, signaled to it and they picked us up. It was a small English patrol boat who picked up the S.O.S., went to the ship, then scouted around and picked up those in life boats. We were sure glad to be pulled on by those plucky little Englishmen, who were tickled to pick us up. We went down into the hold and they had some hot cocoa for us which stimulated us for we were completely exhausted. Some of the boys slept but I could not. The next morning we landed at some port in Ireland at 8:30 Wednesday morning and we were sure glad to get on land. Ireland is surely Heaven. We were the first American troops to ever land in Ireland and they couldn't do enough for us. We were nearly starved as the eating we had on the ship was terrible, but these good people entertained us royally, gave us parties and entertainments of every kind. I was lucky enough to be entertained in a private home and they were certainly grand to me, so please write to Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Williams, Princess Garden, Lorne Ireland, thanking them for being so kind to me. Ireland is the most beautiful country I have ever seen, everywhere is so pretty and green, beautiful homes and gardens and all fences are hedges. We stayed in this port several days and have moved three times since, and all that were saved have been assembled here, coming from different ports where they were landed in Ireland and Scotland, and 'tis indeed a happy bunch to be re-organized, except we are very sad over the loss of a few of our comrades. We are stronger than we ever were in our determination to get the Kaiser. The people of America should sacrifice all they can for the Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A. because they are always on the job. I am feeling fine and perfectly satisfied except that I hardly know what to do since I lost Tommie. I can hardly bear to think of the news reaching his dear people and you all, for I know how they will take it and every one else in town. I tried my best to find him on deck. We were separated when we came out of the stateroom in the dark and I don't know whether or not he ever got his life belt. He was too careless with his coats and life belt, I was always after him to keep up with them. I had some hopes until today. I have seen only one person who says he saw Tommie out on deck. Oh, if I only could have saved him. I do miss him so much, for he was a real good pal and a true friend. We so often talked about the good times we used to have, but now I haven't him to talk to and it makes me feel rather lonesome. Mother, I never did get excited during the disaster and just believed all the time that I would be saved and prayed God that I might be spared. I thing this disaster has made the men think and they all seemed to be "stirred." I think it has caused a great change in me, I seemed to take more interest in things for God. I read the Bible more and enjoy services more. I just feel a lot different and a whole lot better. The picture show always closes with Bible reading and prayer. I believe the Y.M.C.A. over here will do more good among the men than the churches in America could do. We Don't have much to do for, of course, we lost everything we had except what we had on, so will have to be fitted out again. I was sorry to loose some things I had but was so glad to get out myself that I have hardly thought of them. I had several letters in my pocket so I read them over and try to imagine I've just received them. Oh, how I do want some mail from home. I hope some will soon find its way to me. Tell all my friends that I'd be glad to hear from them. Mother, lots of times during that terrible night did I think of the dear home folks and asked God to protect me. I will write real often and you all must do the same. Lots and lots of love, from.< HUGH Prvt. H.J. Stodghill Co. "E", 6th Bn. 20th Engrs. N.A.A.E.F. Via, New York. Subject: Article in Rayville Beacon Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 15:32:45 -