Ahoy Shipmates


The next day the Fleet set sail. It is difficult to imagine, but many of the sailors of the Fleet never had a chance to go ashore. Policy regarding the behavior of sailors was very strict in Japan, and many were considered too risky to allow liberty. One of those sailors was Milton Willard who had 'broke liberty' in Australia and had to say aboard the USS Georgia while in Yokohama.

A letter from Yokohama, Japan

Yokohama, Japan

10/19/08

Dear Folks & All

I have been so busy lately that I have not had time to write any letters but today we are import and nothing to do so will try and answer two of your letters I received some time ago. There of course not much to say about our cruise from Manila to Yokohama except that we run into a monsoon which lasted for three days. It was the first one I had ever seen and at time the ship rolled 28 degrees, which when you come to look at it and be in it, it is something to come out alive. Some of the ships had their whale boats washed away. One seamen was washed over board from the Minnesota but was rescued by a man who jumped overboard from the Vermont. A man would have to have a lot of nerve to jump overboard at sea in a monsoon and have to be a good swimmer

One 1st class gunners mate from the Rhode Island was washed overboard and drowned. A man on the Missouri died from heart trouble and we sent a man today to the hospital who was pretty badly injured during the storm. At last, after it was all over, we began looking for the fleet and only found ten or eleven ships. The Kentucky lost her top mast.

That is about all the news except that we got here Sunday a.m. about 9 o’clock. I will not be able to get ashore as I broke my liberty in Australia but I will no doubt go ashore in Manila. I have spent about $6 for silk so far but can not send it with out paying duty on it so I am going to wait until I come home on my furlow and then bring a the stuff home. I guess I have something for everyone. I got a silk kimono all silk and very pretty for $1.50 and paid $2 for a swell pocket book and belt. I am going to buy all the silk goods I can because it is as cheap as gingham.

I may get some good boxes of cigars in Manila for Dad if he still smokes. Yes I have crossed the equator 4 times and the 180 meridian so far and expect to gain a day going back if we cross it which I think we will. By the time a person is that far along and been through the typhoons and monsoons he is apt to become a sailor soon. So Papa has sold out has he. Well of all the foolish things he ever done that is the limit. Why didn’t he show those people where they belonged. I had sooner set a place of business and shoot the first person who tries to put it out than give up a good business. I guess it does not do us any good to make a good home as we no sooner get settled than we have to tear up and get. If I ever get married I am going to live in one place. If I settle on the Pacific Coast I will live there if my business takes me to New York. I don’t believe in jumping around and besides it cost money to move.

No wonder Kit does not get much time for any thing else. If I had as many girls to look out for as she has boys I would be going at all times as it is I am pretty busy. Yes Kit had just as soon go for an automobile ride but not because it pleases the fellow but because it pleases her. I don’t care how many fellows she has as long as there is plenty of good times for her. Have your fun while you are young because when you are dead you are a long time dead.

You speak just as though I was coming home next winter or in February. I don’t think so as you see we will go to Hampton Roads for review and then to Guantanamo, Cuba for target practice and then come back and go into dock. I am planning on getting home in April or May. I can promise you when I do come I will do damage to some of that canned stuff.

So Bob is getting his deserts at the machine. Well I only hope he makes a better wash women than I did as those 12 min. I used to turn the machine seemed awfully long to me. I don’t suppose your washing now is as large as it was then. Everybody works but Peter and he whistles for his meals. I hope with all his whistling he grows up to be a better boy than me.

Your cousin in New Zealand you speak of are living in Melbourne. They just moved there lately. Our stay in Honolulu was short and between work and other things I was lucky to write one letter. I also got a Lake Co. Ex from Mr. Bowman and if I knew he was going to put my letter in the paper I would have written him a nice long letter. I have had several letters from Mrs. Bowman and have also received several papers. I guess it is a very small place but he is doing fine he said in one letter. I was quite surprised when I got a letter from Roger in Brooklyn. I also received Paul's picture. I am addressing most of Paul’s mail to you so you can forward it to him. I guess by the way your letter reads you are all pretty busy at home except Vera as I see by the paper she is home now. He better pay Bob enough for helping him and if he tries to cheat him any he will have me to settle with as I have one grudge against him already.

Kit would like to do a great many things if she could but anything to give her an education. She is a great girl to study. Everybody I show that picture to of him things that it is awfully cute. It will not be long until I do see him.

After leaving Manila we stop at Colombo, Port Said, Suez and Gibraltar also Genoa then cross the Atlantic. That will complete our trip around the world which I will be mighty glad when it is finished.

It would be nice if Roger could stay with Paul all the time but he must be old enough to take care of himself by now if he is left alone. By your letters Kit must be popular and she may not look at me when I get home. Are you still using my money. If you are not instead of sending $15 home I will send $3 which will save me the trouble of putting it in the bank here. Please let me know so when I get back I can write to you for money to make a furlow if I need it. Well I guess I will close now with best regards and love to all.

I remain your son,

Milton Willard

P.S. We all got medals presented to us by the Jap navy. They are made of silver and are very nice. Australia gave us all medals but I failed to get one.


The Fleet departed having seen the might of the Japanese Navy and experienced the friendship of the Japanese people. Within three weeks the Emperor held the “greatest pageant in naval history” with a parade of 123 ships in a review line for over 20 miles. It was clear that the Japanese had also achieved an important milestone with the successful visit of the American Fleet.

Cheers



Sean