Black Clouds

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Saturday 26 May 1945, 7:45 PM

At Sea

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day at sea and as far as I'm concerned this is a real holiday.  I did work all morning.  As a matter of fact I placed sixteen fillings, but after lunch I had nothing to do but read, talk, and take it easy.  After dinner we went up on the fo'castle but didn't stay there long.  The pretty sunset was quickly obliterated by black rain clouds and soon it began to rain.  It is raining hard but there are tremendous flashes of lightening constantly illuminating the sky.

          There is little else to tell.  I had my usual breakfast of fruit and fruit juice.  It has been so hot that I even passed up the coffee.  For lunch we had pineapple and prune salad, roast chicken with fresh frozen creamed peas and mixed fruit pie for dessert.  For dinner we had fruit salad, soup, steak and ice cream with chocolate sauce and cookies.  No wonder I'm having trouble keeping my weight down.

          For lack of anything better to do I'm reading a Charlie Chan mystery.  It's too hot below decks in the afternoon to work on the novelties I'm making.  However things should be much more comfortable in port.

          How is my Sweet today?  Are you still irked at me because of my cold (?) letters?  If you could see what I wake up with every morning and take advantage of me (or it) you'd be warmer and so would I.  There will come a day!

          No more for tonight Honey so please be patient and understanding because I do love you and only you even if I don't repeat myself every day.

Loving you as always,

Gil

Balanced Mess Statement

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Saturday 31 March 1945, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, I just got back from the movie and here I am.  The picture was a Charlie Chan murder story, "The Jade Mask," with Sidney Toler.

          This morning was the usual busy one. It was 11:30 before I was through.  After lunch I began reading "Burma Surgeon" by Seagrave but I had some more appointments for the afternoon.

          I quit at 3:30 and began working on the wardroom mess statement.  My money balanced out so the worst is over for another month.

          After that I censored some mail, showered and dressed for dinner.  After eating we had an unusually brilliant sunset which I shan't try to describe.

          Then the medical officer and I counted over a million dollars for the paymaster in order to certify a sum of money shown on his monthly statement.  By then it was 7:30 so I went up on the fo'castle and enjoyed the cooling breeze until movie time.  Now here I am as I told you before.

          No mail again today.  Tomorrow I expect to hit the jackpot.  The service this last week was very irregular and I'm way behind.

          Nothing new or different to say today Honey so I'll repeat those three little words, "I love you."

          Goodnight Honey, until tomorrow with hugs and kisses

Love,

Gil

No Place to Go Except the Officers' Club

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Monday 13 November 1944, 6:20 PM

My Dearest,

          I feel swell now.  I got eleven letters from you and one each from your mother and mine and one from Edith.  I'll send Edith's on to you so you can read firsthand about the wristwatch you want.

          Sure sounds like you've had a siege with household appliances.  Oh well, who cares!  As long as they can be fixed, why worry? I didn't draw my last paycheck and won't draw my next either.  There is no place to go and spend money except for a few drinks at the Officers' Club.

          I did buy four suits of khakis (shirts and trousers) and I believe I'll buy more and lay away my greys.  That way I'll have grey uniforms complete when I return.  Otherwise the pants and shirts would be worn out and the blouses new.  Anyway khakis are all you see out here and some of the higher ups dislike greys and have said as much.

          Glad to hear everyone is prospering.  Just means there'll be more money to spend when I return to civilian life.

          The name of the magazine we sent Sol was "Our Navy."  I can't give you the address of the publisher but Harry B. has it.

          I read an interesting book by James Cain.  It is really three separate books under the title "Three of a Kind."  Two of the stories, one entitled "The Embezzler" and the other "Double Indemnity" were made into movies.  I don't quite recall the name of the third but all three are worth reading.  Now I am reading a Charlie Chan mystery, "Keeper of the Keys."

          Glad that you liked the like the gifts I sent.  I didn't know gum was so difficult.  I'll see what can be done.  Sorry I look fat in the picture.  I am no heavier than when I left the states.  As a matter of fact I think I'm a little lighter.  I'm going to check as soon as I finish this letter.

          Bill Spivak is wrong and if you'll read what I told you about Leon you'll have the real answer.

          Well Honey, I've run out of question and answers so I'm going to sign off.  But first, do you remember how we enjoyed the moonlight in a speed boat up at Arrowhead.  Do you remember what came next? Well I do too. Will repeat at my earliest opportunity.

          Good night Sweet.  I love you and miss you more than I can say.

Lovingly

Gil