18. Again drilled and received first instructions in small arms. I enjoyed this very much and listened eagerly to all information.

19. More drill and small arms instruction.

20. Rated Seaman Second Class, and was ordered to scrub all clothes and hammock and prepare to leave the station for sea duty.

21. Went to swimming basin and enjoyed my first salt water swim (the next swim was in european waters). We were taking things rather easy now and awaiting orders to leave the station. I was anxious to leave too, for I wanted to get to sea, and under better conditions than we were enjoying here.

22. Remained in camp all day. Spent the day in idleness.

23. Received first pay from the Government, altho it was only one dollar. But this was very welcome for we had spent practically all the money we had brought with us. This night another draft of Rookies came to the main camp. They were somewhat noisy and this enlivened the Captain of the Station and he ordered the Bugler to sound fire call. This was after nine P.M. and all lights were out and the camp in quietness. Almost instantly the camp was ablaze with electric lights, and sailors were pouring into the streets by the hundreds. Some were half dressed and others were dressing as they assembled. Companies were thrown into formation and ready for action, but as there was no fire retreat was sounded and everything was soon as quiet as if nothing had happened.

24.More drilling. Immediately after noon when all were taking life easyfire broke out in the dry grass that lies between the Main and Detention Camp. A strong wind was rapidly carrying the fire across the field and toward the city. The Bugler again sounded fire call but the white cladsailors were already pouring across the field by the thousands. They fought vigourously and the fire was put out before the fire engines arrived. Later in the afternoon fire broke out at the docks and the companies were again formed and double timed to the scene of fire. The fire engines were on the job first in this case and everything was soon alright.

25. We learned that we were tp leave the Station soon. Received someinstructions concerning boats. had sentry duty and was given an old Springfield rifle which was used in the Spanish-American War. But I carried out my orders which was rather hard for I was stationed at the clothes line, and some of the Rookies insisted on entering the basin where we had to scrub clothes without removing their shoes.

26. Learned that we were to leave the Station the following day. Made preperations to leave.

27. Sent letters home telling them to not write again until they heard from me that I was leaving for somewhere. Other companies were preparing to go on parade, and we were dressed in dress blues and waiting orders to leave. And wait it was. We were marched down to the docks before noon, and at dinner time were again marched back to the camp for chow. All the long hot afternoon we lingered about the docks and no tug came to take us away. Had supper in Dock Barracks, and shortly after dark the tug came alongside and we went aboard. We were off! The tug landed us in some lonely place where there was scarcely a light to be seen and no people. A short wait and a train consisting Pullman cars slowly backed onto the docks. We boarded her and soon turned in for the night. Going for some unknown parts.

28. In the early morning I asked a Porter where we were, and he informed me that we were somewhere in North Carolina. About Ten A.M. we arrived in Charleston, S.C., and ate a hearty breakfast. As soon as breakfast was finished we again boarded the train and were leaving. As we steamed out a troop train carrying soldiers which had been out on guard duty pulled in and the soldiers passed us several boxes of hard tac thru the windows. This was very welcome. Had dinner in Savannah. Supper was furnished in Jacksonville - and a supper to be remembered it was! The proprietor said he was an ex-Sailor and knew how hungry we must be after travelling so far. He gave the waiters orders to give the men anything as they cared for. I am quite sure we did justice too! As we left the hotel he gave each a smile and wished them well. We continued our journey.

29. Landed in Fort Pierce and ate breakfast. Dinner in Miami. As we were crossing the long sandy stretches of Florida several large flys came into the cars and were very aggravating and we were forced to close the windows until we had passed thru this section of country. When we arrived in Key West it was after dark. Several warships were to be seen in the harbor, and a tug took us out to the Dixie. Here another good meal awaited us. It consisted of Beans, potato salad, cheese, bread, butter and tea. I am sure that all hands enjoyed this meal for we were very hungry and there was as much as we wanted. My impression of the ship was good. I slept on the deck with no hammock or mattress--only two blankets. We continued to sleep on the deck for several days before we could get other bedding.

30. We were called to quarters and mustered. Washed clothes, which was necessary for we had practically everything dirty after our trip from Norfolk. Worked in boats in the afternoon and tried to get them ship-shape. Was placed in Second Division, First Section.