Saturday, October 16, 1943.

Saturday, October 16, 1943.
Up for breakfast at 0815. I have an assigned table, and time, for the whole trip! I am really surprised with the beautiful dining salon, and pleasantly pleased with the fine food! The service (all British personnel) is perfect. For breakfast, I had a choice of hot or cold cereal, coffee, rolls, toast, FRESH butter, marmalade, FRESH bacon and sausages!
They loaded hospital casualties aboard this morning - a very pitiful sight. At the same tome, fresh recruits were unloading. As the two groups passed, they wished each other luck! Very emotional and touching for me. The “rookies” must have done some tall thinking!
Dinner (lunch) was at 1300. I had STEAK, REAL mashed potatoes and gravy; rolls and butter, coffee, onions, FRESH tomato and lettuce salad, vegetable soup, rutabaga and rice pudding for dessert!
This afternoon, they loaded German prisoners of war aboard
At 1700, we shoved off, leaving the tugs and Casablanca behind, about 1800, and passing by American, French and British Men of War. The sea is noticeably rough, but to a seaman it is probably smooth. We carry our life jackets everywhere we go now. A blackout is enforced at 1830, and no one is permitted on deck.. We do not have an escort, so no unnecessary chances are taken. There is no beer or liquor aboard (officially). Some WAACs, nurses, and civilians, are also on board.
Supper at 2000. They served:- fresh veal, baked potato, rolls and butter, coffee, Brussels sprouts, potato soup, and Jell-O. Very fine meals. I stopped in at the small canteen. I was hungry for candy. You could buy only six Hershey’s or Nestles at a time.
Rain storms tonight. Red Bird Juster, Bob Jarrett and Jim Wolfcale have “Watch’ duty. Someone found a German prisoner scraping the black paint off the port hole. As a result, the prisoners lost their lighting privilege, and were blacked out. I had some orange juice in the Officers’ Club Room . I turned my watch back one hour.