Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert
Steingart
U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O.
San Francisco
Sunday 31 December
1944, 11:55 PM
Dearest Eleanor,
Well dear,
1944 is almost gone but not quite forgotten.
I'm afraid it has burned an indelible mark on the hearts of many.
Today began
as usual. However I took no dental appointments today because I had several end
of the month and year reports to make.
Besides that I took inventory of the wardroom's mess provisions and
worked out a financial statement. We've been
eating like kings but I'll bet there'll be lots of "bitching" when
the bill is presented. However, if they
don't like it they can elect someone else.
Either the food is good and expensive or lousy and cheap, so they can
have their choice.
This
afternoon we had the usual Catholic and Protestant divine services. After the services, I noticed schools of
multi-colored fish swimming around the ship so I broke out some hooks and line
and soon everyone who had time was fishing (even me). We tried all kinds of bait--pork, beef, and
bacon rind--to no avail. I went back to
the galley and got some canned salmon.
Talked the butcher into giving me some shrimp. Tried shrimp but no luck and then I tried
salmon. Still no luck so I left my baited hook in the water and scattered a
handful of salmon over the water. In a
few moments the fish just swarmed around my hook and zing, I got a strike and brought
in a beautiful Spanish mackerel. That
was the first fish caught aboard since we've been here. One other was caught today and that was all. "Happy New Year!" How about a big kiss and hug? Thanks dear that was swell I'm sure that when
1945 is ushered out we'll both be in a much happier state of mind because we'll
be together. Back to the fish I cleaned
it myself, split it lengthwise, salted it down and put it in the
refrigerator. Instead of roast pork for
dinner I and three other ate fish. The fresh
fish really tasted good. Everybody is
going fishing tomorrow.
After dinner
I bought all the corpsmen a drink just as I did on Xmas. The movie tonight was "Song of the Open
Road" which I had seen before but went anyway. After the movie we all pooled our resources
and had a party--champagne, bourbon, rye, and even a little Southern Comfort. I took it easy because I wanted to be sure to
see the old year out and the New Year in with you. I am plenty sleepy and a little high so I'm
going to sign off.
Without
recalling past New Years Eves when we were together and very happy, I'm going
to say good night my darling until tomorrow (or today).
Love
Gil
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