AT aged eA Es arch 12,19)5 Dear Phog and Mrs Allen. lt has been some time since I wrote you a letter. I have been hearing about you in the papers. I am heartily in accord with the editorial that Doe should be the BHAR CZAR of Basketball. I am very proud of the fact that I have been so well acquainted with you both, If this war continues much longer I shall be an old bald-headed decrepit piece of humanity. It wont be long before my third year overseas witillhave slipped by. f am inclosing a post-card of the costume of the Gille This the the name for the personages composing the main feature of a yearly festival in Belgium, It originated centuries ago through the efforts of Queen Mary of Hungry. She conceived the constume from the Inca Indians and introduced it into the festival. Ihe Madi Gras of New Orleans is taken from this festivity which begins the day before Ash Wednesday each yeare The Plums are ostrich and around the waist are regular bells which make an awful racket during the dance which is a rhythmic cloge As you see the subject is only a child. The adult costumes have tremendious plums. The figures are the royal Lion of Belgium and are in vivid colors on a bright yellow back grounds It is surprizing the number of wooden shoes that we see on the civilians. I know why they take their shoes off when they enter the housee They wear something like a house slipper, (felt) insid e the wodden shoes. i tried to wear a pair once with just stockings and I about broke my foot on the first stepe I have seen some old ladies who have had their wooden shoes as long as 20 years. Ve are taking a well earned rest now biter the Belgium buldge and are to go up again to support the boys doing the fighting. The news sounds very good , doesn't it. There isn't anyone who - can wish more strongly than I that this affair will terminate in the near Eubures = job of reconstruction is a tremendous ene. in reality we are neophites in this business. | As I recall History has had only two or three such, and all of them have been handled a very poor ways This world affsir is so complicated that the problems are of collosal dementions. I enjoyed Sumner Welles Book, Time for Decision. It is too bad that such a valuable man showlal be ousted by a political move. Well folks, umtit later I shall say or mmte, and good luck in your many peptanin. meee fan is 0924475 . oe gr Vater Suppla Cy Alo 95° CH) f_ ft dan Francises Cali £. oe see PA ppines oo (4 1948. ' 2 = i ae Mad te eet pee Pte of wecliss 2 seca peddrsm fo ne : 7 a : - ae 7 J € ff e c f x 2 # 6 c 7 ; 6 (/ i YF) . - : é < Provided. Use typewsiter, dark lah, or rE 7 | Ne, ee eet - ~sieunatii y/ i T ie | i, . | “De. -.C. Aanen ” 4 = 4 Liev of KAWS, 4 = / | AadRetce, Fawe, RO NRIENSON AAA SPI SA A | April 27, 1945. Mise Margaret Hall, 1625 Ragehill Rond, Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Margaret I regret that I will not be able to attend the spring presentation of your University Women's Glee Club on Monday, April 50, at ® peme It happens that I am attending a City Gounoil meet- — ing, of which I am the counoilman from the first ward. However, I do want you to know how mich I enjoyed the , singing of your splendid organization. I an trusting that Mrs. } Allen and my daughter, Bleanor, can attend, and I am passing the tickets on to then. ‘ : _ ‘(hank you so mush for your wvlentid dnvitation and the Sincerely yours, ee - Director of Physical Education, PCA:AH Varsity Basketball Coach. - UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS WOMEN’S GLEE CLUB IRENE PEasopy, Director LAWRENCE, KANSAS Dear Friends: Heigho — Spring is here again! Time for another Glee Club session in Hoch Auditorium. It will be held on Monday night, April 30, at 8:00 p.m. We'd like to, see you there to help us celebrate our last appearance of the 1944-45 season which in- cluded five shows in Topeka. We are very proud of our reception there. Here are some of the reasons: "This noon on my way back to my office I ran into a number of fellows who told me how much they enjoyed the program. I am glad that arrangements were made so that the program was given with consequent benefit to the University." WALTER G. THIELE (Justice, Kansas Supreme Court) "T have had many nice compliments on the fine work your girls did, and I sincerely appreciated your coming to Topeka for this program," HUBERT BRIGHTON (Secretary, Kansas Board of Regents) "This is to thank you again for the very pleasant hour you made possible for us last Thursday evening. You would have been gratified to hear the appreciative comments made by our personnel." Glada N. Strode (Hostess Service Club I, Army Air Field) And Captain Fox and Miss Kral at Winter General want very much to have us back for they felt it was just the right kind of a program for the interest and morale of the wounded veterans in their. charge. We are happy to have the assistance again of Don Cousins as our Master of Ceremonies. He'll play for you, too, on his saxa- phone and put on a spot of jam with some of his fellow orchestra men. Besides this, and our own singing, our splendid accompanist, Anne Krehbiel, will offer you some pointless fare on "Mary's Little Lamb" and our comic quartette will render you a version of the "Little Red School House," Come and enjoy yourselves as much as we will, Sincerely yours, Margaret Hall, President. P,S, State and Federal tax must be paid on the enclosed tickets, Please use them yourself or give them to someone who will. If you'd like any more please call K.U. 144 or K.U. 45. Activity tickets admit, , VICTOR GC. HURT SOUTHWESTERN ART ASSOCIATION BEAGON BUILDING FOURTH AND BOULDER TELEPHONE 2-9295 Tusa 3, OKLAHOMA PRESIDENT AND MANAGER ; March 2 6th 3 194 5 6 Dr. Forrest C Allen, Director of Physical Education, . University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Phog: Your letter with reference to the Magnetic Strategy Board was received and I appreciate your forwarding the copy from Mr. N. J. Dodson. The finish of the Big Six Basketball race was watched by the Hurts with much interest and it is needless to say that we were all pulling for the Jayhawkers in that last game. JI will say further that we were all satisfied that the team did everything and more than they were capable of doing and I am sure that Kansas did a great job in finishing within one game of the championship. You are certainly to be congratulated on another fine season of expert coaching. The Rebounder was received and I noticed that Milton is now in the Navy. There is no doubt in my mind but that he will give somebody plenty of hell if he gets a chance. With all good wishes end best regards to you and your family, I am Sincerely yours, Aa VCH sEG April 27, 1945. Mr. Arthur PF. Hughes, The Sporting Goods Dealer, _ Ste Louis, pe Moe Dear Arts We had a strategy basketball board about 15 or 20 years ago. I felt that it did not go over big for basketball because the diagramaing of a play generally oalled for a set up first and then the play later. We sold a few, but nothing to justify the expense involved in manufacturing these boards. Then Vie Hurt had seks feoteal? teardy but Ide not believe they created any umecessary flurry. Frankly, I do not believe that they will ever be a big item so far as sales are concerned. They are novelties and the kida like to play with them, but I an not overly optimistic. : Vic Hurt is now president and manager of the South- western Art Association, Beacon Building, 4th and — Tulsa 3, ens if you want to write hin. | usta, if I ever get in St. Louis I certainly will say hello to you. And I sometimes do get to St. Louis. With all good wishes, I am Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education, © PCA:AH Varsity Basketball Coach. CHARLES C.SPINK, FOUNDER = ESTABLISHED !1899 J.G.TAYLOR SPINK,GENERAL MANAGER a re eS en ran Pr ee ee ee ec ee eee ee ee ne TTT ai TTT cc cc cc I UTUOTUUNUUUAEUUHUUTHEGUE CASES ESTATES ee eee reece eer creer eee errr eee ccc ccc cc THE SportING Goons DEALER CHARLES C.SPINK & SON of iace pe eRe A MONTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF THE ENTIRE SPORTING GOODS FIELD TT TTT il HOW TO PLAY THE DOPE BOOK BASEBALL GUIDE NEW YORK OFFICE THE SPORTING NEWS 535 FIFTH AVE. THE SPORTING GOODS DEALER CHICAGO OFFICE THE SPORTING NEWS RECORD BOOK BASEBALL REGISTER - THE GAMES 400 _ AINT Lo UIS ( I) 7p WER AES CE sen April 10, 1945 Dr. Forrest Ce Allen Athletic Department University of Kansas Lawrence, Kans. Dear Phog: Congratulations on your successful debut in politics, which was duly heralded in the press. From time to time we have been receiving inquiries from sporting goods dealers all over the country for information concerning game strategy boards etc. for basketball and foot- ball. I've been referring most of the inquiries to you, as I understand you put out some sort of a basketball strategy board and that Vic Hurt has some football board. I would ap- preciate it if you would tell me what the situation is on these boards so as not to burden you with unnecessary in- quiries from dealers in the future. Noted that you didn't have your usual hot ball club this winter, but a lot of others were in the same boat. Trust that when conditions get a bit more normal that you will again be dealing the boys a lot of headaches. If you ever get over here look me Upe Sincerely, Arthur F, Hughes AFH srr FISHERMENS WEE THE HILLYARD 1. DISTRIBUTORS Chemical Company ESTABLISHED 1907 BRANCHES AND WAREHOUSES IN PRINCIPAL CITIES ST- JOSEPH e fe mM ISSOURI-U-S:A- ELLIOTT C. SPRATT SALES MANAGER CABLE ADDRESS ‘'HILCO” April 24, 1945. Mr. Forrest C. Allen, Director of Physical Education, Varsity Basketball Coach, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Dear Phog:- Thanks a lot for your letter of April 23rd, enclosing copy of letter from Alameda Franca, Sao Paulo, Brazil, who requested a copy of our Combination Basketball Chart and Score Book. Kindest personal regards, I am, Sincerely, THE HILLYARD COMPANY HMP: Elliott C. Spratt. OPERATING NATION-WIDE SERVICE OF FLOOR MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS Miss Ruth Hoover, _ Department of Physical Education. Dear Miss Hoover: ) Word has come to me that there has been quite a bit of | difficulty with your help in the towel room. Some of the women have refused to return to work, saying that you have been unkind and impolite to them, : cee If you feel that we should have a conference toward getting someone to help you, I will be glad to disouss it with you. | cS ? t Sincerely yours, a Director of Physical Baucation, , POA :AH | Varsity Basketball Coach. Kenneth Gatchell, 6t2" Washburn Hi Dick McClelland, 6133" Highland Park Hi Maurice Martin, 6'43" Topeka Hi Louis’ Smith, 6'3" Topeka Hi Ralph Simmons, Smith Center Buti a KH. Shen e April 23, 1945. ‘The Hillyard Chemical Go., Dear Sirs: The enclosed letter same to another office here et the University, and it was sent on to me. TI am now sending it to you for your attention. | Sincerely yours, ‘Director of Pryuient Muoation, FCA: All . Varsity Basketball Coach. Ene. LAGGY HAYNES ! THE KANSAS CITY STAR S16 NORTH 6TH ST. KANSAS CITY 12, KANSAS April 4, 1945 Dear Phog: Of course you understand and I am sure realize that I understand how Mit felt. And, my old combative friend -- I know how you feel. I am sure you understand that the joy is also mine just to be able to say a nice deserving word about Phog or any member of Phog's family. I will be waiting until Mit gets back and hope to see him then. With kindest regards and best wishes. Sincerely, Forrest C. Allen Director of Physical Education University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Craszn EL Penile HLPL LaT kote. HG. (ey) nt lg Pahiesl RL erm gpa rah selena Spi a a ee Aho angree Feed pisgen pages JP. faceen paz te. Bae ps Gon iiew ah To Hot (ail to at Wt, ea Se dns at wdhinty oo “ee. ee. Dec. 26-1344 Wednesday “forn. (An account of the visit of three LC.T. skippers -Navy insiens) to a native villege on an islend near Nukufetau in the “llice Island Grorp,; One afternoon about 1300 Navy time we requested permission of the Navy Lt. in charge of the Island base to go to 8 nearby island to visit a native village, We also requested, through an interpreter, permission from the Chief Magistrate to visit this village. The Chief was delighted and sent four natives in his "pow pow" to take us the five mile distance to the island on which the village was located. The Chief was an old man, quite small, and he had a very pleasant manner. One of the three natives, Frank Setake, could speak fairly good English, so we got along well with him as the interpreter. He had been to school for 5 years to a native teacher under the British rule. The three, one was George, Frank's nephew,-George's father, and a rugged looking native wearing a marine jacket. He had been a sailor on a British ship in the Figis years before. He proved to bé a good sailor, and with a stiff tail wind our "pow pow" cut through the water like a destroyer. We made it out to the island in sbout an hour and a half and anchored a few feet from the shore. The natives insisted on carrying us through the water to the shore-line, so all three of us rode "piggy-back" style on the strong backs of three very fine native physical specimens. One of the Officers with us weighed over 200 pounds but a little native weighing not over 170 carried him with ease. We waited on the beach, where we were met by droves of little children, while the natives waded back out to the vessel to unload the supplies they had brought out. We gave them some corned beef and some cans of tuna fish as a token of our friendship and our appreciation for the ride to the island. Ashore on the island and in the village we made a tour of inspection with Frank, whom I have mentioned before, and who was a good looking half-caste native and a very intelligent man. First we saw the Island doctor--a fine Looking man who has his own little hospital under a thatched roof, and had the patients on a cot. His chief problem is delivering the many babies--es the sick rate is low. There is no venereal disease or elephantitis, which the natives call "moo-moo". The Chief's office for the administration of the Island was located in a large well built thatched roof hut with concrete foundation. The area around it was "taboo" to all except on official business. There existed a well organized govern- ment--having an assistant, a chief of police, a scribe, etc. They never have any trouble with anyone and the younger generation obeys the elders to the letter. Everyone was well disciplined, talked only in a low conversational tone of voice and the prevailing quiet and peacefulness about the island was noticeable to all of us. We remarked it would be a fine place to send us for a rest cure. There were out- side toilet facilities which were kept very clean. In fact the whole village was immaculate in every way due to the efficient police system. We then moved on to inspect the pig-pen, which covered a large surface, encir- cled by a two foot fence in which the pigs were kept. There were many very small ones and they were fed mostly cocoanuts after the milk or juice had been removed and consumed by the natives. The pigs looked more like wild ones that had been domesti- cated, with long thin snouts and rough hair. There were a few chickens running about they seemed to be a mixed breed with a slight trend toward Rhode Island Reds. The next thing of interest was a large open well from which the women drew their water. Near the well we saw a woman beating some white clothes over a fallen tree, their method of washing--and we had to admit it really mate them white--not 4 sign of the "Tattle-tale gray" anywhere in the village. ats The sight that amazed us the most was the church located in a clearing in the center of the village. The pastor had built it and it was undoubtedly the most beau- tiful study in simple church architecture I have ever seen. It was on the order of our small community churches--all white cement with multi-colored stained glass win- dows. Inside we found about ten piles of grass mats which they spread out and sit on during the service. There was an altar with a Bible and Hymn book both printed in the native tongue. They have church service every Sunday and are a deeply religious people. The schoolhouse, another cement structure was nearby. It was an old build- ing with just openings for windows and no furniture in evidence. The pastor (as every one called him) was also the teacher of the school, but at this time the school was in recess until after the Christmas holidays. He teaches the little English that he knows, mathematics, reading and writing and the Samoan language, as he went to college in Samoa--a London Seminary College. Frank introduced us to the Pastor, whose name in the native language I did not get, but in English it is Samuel after the orophet of that name. When I told him I was the son of a Pastor in the states, he grinned broadly and insisted that we three come back at 6 o'clock to eat supper and stay all night in his large thatched house called a "folly". We continued our tour and were followed constantly by 20 to 30 children of all ages, who kept asking, "You my friend?"~--and when we replied in the affirmative they would ask us for chewing gum. They also remarked at intervals, "American--very good" and to our surprise they broke out singing in perfect English, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine" and on key too, although most of them do not speak English. We learned that the Marines a year or so ago had taught them to sing this song. One or two even sang "Shoo-shoo Baby", The small ones up to % or 4 wore nothing while the others were dressed as their fathers, in a wrap around cloth called a "lava -lava". The girls reach the age of 12-14 before they start wearing dresses like their moth- ers. They were well disciplined and we enjoyed having them around. They don't have any toys but learn eerly to carry things for their parents. In the village proper the "follys" were thatched huts with the family living and sleeping on grass (thick) mats. An occasional chair was seen and a cot now and then in the "follys" of the prominent famlies. One family had acquired a large tent and had built a wooden floor. This was Frank (the interpreter) family and he was very proud when he showed us his tent. At one place we saw a half-caste mother hold- ing a baby that was nearly white (most of the people are dark brown). Frank ex- plained in a deeply regretful tone of voice that a marine or two had broken the laws of their people but added with a smile that the Marine Commanding Officer had put them in the grig for their misconduct. There is very little of this happening among these people as they are fairly well educated and are strictly disciplined by their native government. Many of the natives are comparatively light through generations of half castes. At what we iknow as 6 o'clock by our watches we went to the Pastor's "folly" but found that their time was just five o'clock and we sat dow on the only bench to wait for the Pastor to return from his bath. His family consisted of 5 small boys, the oldest about 12, his wife, a large woman upward of 200 pounds, who didn't speak English but was a congenial hostess, and two older daughters who did the cooking. In our first meeting the Pastor wore the customary "lava-lava" or loin cloth--the brighter the color the more admired it is by the natives. After his bath the Pastor appeared in a neatly pressed white shirt and a pure white "lava-lava" wrapped around his waist and trailing near his ankles. Immediately we slipped down off the bench and sat on the floor mats with our legs crossed and settled down to a nice chat-- depending on the few words of English the Pastor spoke. We tried at all times to do things as they did so they would accept us a bit more than if acted distinctly state- side, (American) in their presence. The Pastor was a large dark ruddy complexioned man--always smiling. He hed a large abdominal protrusion which was much in evidence and like the traditional Santa Claus it "shook like a bowl of jelly", when he laughed and that was quite frequent. We had talked only a few minutes when his wife handed him 5 necklaces of mixed shells which the Pastor thatnked them profusely but later found that this was not the last of the gifts that the Pastor's wife would be responsible for giving before we left the village. From this time on they surprised us with one thing after another. Next, he asked us if we would like to eat. We were hungry and were willing to try anything, but it turned out to be a supper beyond our expectations. The two daughters and the oldest son scurried around with the Pastor to fix us a meal. I even suspected dur- ing his absence at intervals that he was going around to his neighbors borrowing food. They cooked with an instrument something like 4 blow torch, in one corner of the room away from the wind. By this time it was dark and the table was brought in --a nice table cloth cover--some beautiful thin china tea cups and saucers and plates, and even one chair was found to give us another seat besides the lone bench. This of course had us flabbergasted to see these fineries of civilization on a na- tive island in the far Pacific, but it seemed that nothing was too good for their American friends--although they themselves ate afterwards on the grass mats oa the floor. The Pastor called us to dinner and we had tuna fish (which we had brought out with us), hot pancakes which resembled our corn fritters without the corn. They were delicious, very rich; and when we had eaten four they still placed a stack of them on the table for us. We drank hot tea with them and there was plenty of sugar if we cared for it. The greatest treat was yet to come in having the unique privilege of viewing their ceremonial "Seva-seva" dance held in the meeting house. It was given for their soldiers (British Colonial Labor Batallions) which had ridden over from our home base in order to visit their relatives before returning with us today for their duty. Although these soldiers usually wear shorts, they were now in the bright "lava-lava" with beautiful crowns of flowers on their heads, all dressed ready for the great "seva-seva". The women came in bright dresses worn below their knees, and put grass skirts on top of their dresses when they danced. The whole population of the island turned out and after they were seated on their grass mats the dance began. The seating arrangement was--the chief and his officials in the center on one side, we (the three Ensigns of the Navy) on the other, first seated on a bench, (but later we slipped to the floor with them). Then the chorus girls (seven in the foreground; they put on grass skirts every time they danced) and at the other side the soldiers- with a space in the center much like a night club might have,--then with the spec-- tators mostly children all around the outside. The procedure lasted from 8:30 P. M. to 4:30 A. M.. It was something like this: First the natives with the chorus girls would begin one of their chant songs--with four or five men and women beating on a large box covered with mats. I would think their hands would have been blistered after eight hours pounding, The girls and any one else who felt like it, would rise up and begin swaying back and forth, making rythmic motions with their hands (all of which told a story,) and singing all the time. Near the climax of the song the chief of Police would blow a whistle which was a signal to increase the tempo and crescendo until it seemed that the whole "folly" was whirling around. When they had worked themselves up into a frenzy, they would stop suddenly with a shout and usual- ly drop to the floor exhausted. Then they rested while the soldiers along with a few of the older men would answer them with a song accompanied with a ukelele or guitar. Frank interpreted some of the songs as "hoping the Americans would keep their enemies out of the Pacific," and others about the hist vry of their people and island. Between several numbers the old men especially the Chief and his council would arise and give lengthy speeches with everyone exclaiming their approval with loud "Awai- Awai"!--meaning "That's good" or something like in our revival meetings with their occasional outhyrstof "Amen-Amen"., At times I had to pinch myself to make certain I was actually in this spectacle and not just dreaming or seeing it all in some Doro- thy Lamour South Sea Island picture. I can't describe in words the chanting songs but they were exhilarating to the highest point possible and even te other Ensigns found ourselves shouting out with an occasional "Awai!l" or even "Le-le" meaning very good. At intervals the natives would bring us coconuts, opened at the top, of which we drank the sweet juice. I know I hed three or four and learned to enjoy them. They ate sun-dried raw fish with their juice, but we passed that up. About @ A. M. one of the women came to us and placed brightly polished shell necklaces around our necks and gave each of us a small two-colored grass door mat. We thanked them as best we could and found that the Pastor's wife was again responsible as she was the chairman of the entertainment and visitors committee which presented these gifts. As proof of the point, I made previouly of their high regard for authority--when we asked Frank about the gifts he said the Pastor's wife was the chairman and as such no matter what she decided on giving us--they had to do just as she said. I'm send- ing the two necklaces home later--I want Pauline to have the nice necklace for her or the baby, and Dad is to have the necklace given me personally by the Parson. i Pauline is to keep the small mat that the committee gave me, or if you wish, give it to Dad to show around to his people. At about a quarter to three o'clock in the morning, they were still going strong and the Pastor Samuel asked if we would like to go to bed. I went with him--the others stayed on another hour. It turned out that the "Seva-seva" lasted until 4:30 A. M. and was only stopped then at their request of the chief on one of his speeches because he had to make a trip the next day. At this request, Frank said one of the natives yelled out that he was still a young man and should be able to stand the night life, and of course the whole "folly" rocked with laughter at this remark. The pastor took me to his "folly" where he had put up (much to my surprise) three cots with mattresses and sheets and pillows. He had moved his entire family (except the oldest son) into the auxilliary "folly" for the night. In the morning he was at our bedside with a can of water when we were awakened. We dipped in and washed our face and hands before getting out of bed. Then we sat down agein to eat; coffee and pancakes, while his youngest son was delegated to wave a palm branch over us to keep away the flies. The little fellow got tired, but would change hands and continue. We bade the Pastor "Tofa" which means goodbye--(Tolafa means Hello) and got back the five miles to our Base in another "Pow-pow", This time we had to paddle the vessel back as the wind was in the wrong direction to use the sails. : wolbc The whole experience was something never to be forgotten and today as I look back on those few hours in that village and write, it still is difficult for a Kan- sas reared boy to actually realize that he could possible be a part of such a story as this one. Ensign Robert Ee Hunt-U. S. N. R. The last trip I took before leaving the Ellice Group, we anchored about a mile from the native island-I formerly described-for the night. When the natives discov- ered us, they came out in their "Pow-pows" and took us to shore. I saw the Pastor (Samuel) again, drank cocoanut milk with them, ard stayed until about eleven o'clock in the evening and witnessed another of their "Seva-seva" dances. Then one of our crew rowed into the beach with our little rowboat and took us back to our craft. We could not bring our L. C. T. to the shore because the coral reefs are dangerous at low tide. : After the "Seva-seva" dance, which I have described in a former letter, the women's committee again presented us with necklaces. Now I have 8 or 10 necklaces, a head band and a grass mat, all of which I will send home. While I was on the island this time, I was sitting on a grass mat on the floor of the Pastor's home visiting with the family, when a bell rang. The Pastor said it was the hour of prayer. I was interested. The two older girls sang a hymn in their native tongue, the oldest boy read a Scripture lesson, and the Pastor prayed a pray- er I could not understand, but I could appreciate the fervency of it. He said the same thing was happening in every home on the Island. If these people so far away in the Pacific Ocean without so many privileges we have, can worship God and live in peace, why can't the whole world worship God and live in peace? There are many things I will explain after the war that I cannot tell now. Even in these back areas, I have had my thrills. It is not all dull. I have flown 7,000 miles over the Pacific Ocean; sometimes in very severe storms. Our trips on these L. C. T.'s take 12 to 14 hours and sometimes the seas are rough, se much so that we have to take refuge within the coral reefs, Now it is nice to be back in the land of real potatoes and meat and where the seas are calm. Ensign Robert E. Hunt-U. S. N. R.