On Board S.S. Padnsay

Jan. 20, 1934

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The moon was wonderful last night, so yellow in a dark blue sky. The water made a path right up to it. The ocean has a lot of phosphorous and, as you know, at night before the moon comes up - the motion of the ship through the water lights these tiny particles into a myriad of shining lights.

This afternoon we saw our first ship at sea. I was taking a shower and the bathroom port was all steamed up so I had to get out of the room to see the ship. You never saw anyone rush to get through anymore than I. It was a Danish Barque with about the same tonnage as ours.

Right after all that excitement we had a fire drill. First all men were on the hose. Then all men to the life boats. They lowered away until the boats were over side, of course all the sailors had on lifebelts, and all during this the whistle was blowing out different orders.

Now an oil tanker is slowly overtaking us. It will pass just about dark.

Today has been very exciting.