19 August 1936

Dear Mother:

I am writing this letter one day out from Cherbourg and Southampton. The boat ran through fog the whole distance except today. The sea was never very rough but the side sway was noticeable at dinner time. I have not been the least bit sea sick, but quite a few women were sick. The men seem to stand it pretty well. The food is good. The chart shows the ship just outside the English Channel and I feel an enormous distance from home. I met a retired R.C.M.P. officer who has just got pensioned. He was on Preventive Squad at Montreal - narcotics and liquor, cars, etc. - a swell fellow.

There's no use telling you this, there are too many people to tell you about. The mountie is going to the Jersey Islands in the Channel where taxes are low and a farm has been left to him by his father. We have great arguments with the "Limeys" about England and Canada. From what I hear aboard ship, the YMCA seems to be a good place to stay in London. It is right close to the Air Ministry. We get a ship paper every day at breakfast and can tell how many dollars we have lost on International Nickel. The sway on a ship is like an aeroplane but more effective. I have learned a lot about "Limey" coin and think I will get along all right. The English are certainly hard to understand. They accent a different part of a word than we do.

The Empress of Britain looks like a toothpick compared with the Atlantic. We saw one ship pass us in the fog off Labrador at night - a beautiful sight. This ship does thirty m.p.h. and throws spray in every direction from the prow. Meals at 8:30, 1:00 and 7:30, tea between.

You ought to hear these Limeys talk about Tuppence, ha-penny, it's a laugh. We get radio news every night from G.S.F. shortwave station at Daventry, England - "brawdcasting" to the British Empire. The Spanish War is a lot more serious than it is cracked up to be - 23,000 killed.

The water now is like the St. Lawrence, but wait till we get into the "Channel" - we pass the Shetland Islands tonight. The ship is expected to be late because of fog, but that's okay, saves me a night's hotel bill. A woman who has a daughter on board who is a stenographer says that Pitman's[1] in London guarantee positions to all stenographers. Sounds good. Stenographers are in great demand.

The Queen Mary left Southampton today. We may pass close to her. I hope so. What more can Ronny say? Ask Dad if he knows Sadie Thomas of Ripley. She seems to think she was a great pal of Dad's - same type as Ida. Said Charlie was the greatest fun in town.

This life's fine. The sea level is moist. I never felt better in my life. Good old sparkle in the eyes and one's skin feels very smooth. I have seen some English complexions on board. No rouge needed. Clear skin but beautifully pink.

Well!

Love Bill
Telephone: HOP 2889 NIGHT PORTER.
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(Facing Waterloo Station),
YORK ROAD, LONDON,
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