Diary, May 18-21, 1919

May 18, Sun- Had to get up early. a 1 stack 4 mast freighter to our right, riding the skyline, gradually dropping back this good old ship is a real traveler. 12 - met a 1 stack freighter, then a sail scooner, & then another tank boat. fine supper. played concert & got soused. went to the convalescent deck. & on way back stopped to hear an other band playing for officers & the officers made us move on. Very rough. saw a whale. feel bad.
[between entries]
Negroe died while playing up there - No 166

May 19 Mon. early saw smoke of Imperator, at noon could see hull - met small sail boat. in evening the big boat was close. played in afternoon for Rep. Hahn of California. good speaker. In evening concert for officers & dance until 10. one swell woman in the crowd. played one piece on a deck for a congressmans speach. was on front end of this boat. In officers mess hall. a sure palace.

May 20 Tue The Imperator & Kaiserine are behind us this morning, passed them in the nite we making about 24 nots an hour. passed sail boat on right & a north bound freighter on left. Inspected by Admiral Gleaves. Main shaft of Levi - 500 ft l. 42 in in [ ]a - 4 propellars 14 ft in dia & 46 boilers. 15 decks. in evening saw troop ship France bound. played a good concert for Army & Naval officers. Naval officer played Bass with us. at nite saw boat to left, wrote some cards. Pretty lady sore, we didn't played Jazz.

May 21 Wed. met a big freighter. Debarkation orders read. pack rolled. mailed pictures of boat. Whisteling continualy. fog so dense you can see only a few yds. Big supper. moving slow. turned in overalls.