Clocks Turned Back

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Thursday 26 October 1944, 9:00 PM

Dearest Wife,

          Was I mad this morning.  It must have been past 1:00 AM before I finally turned in.  During the night the clocks were turned back a half hour.  The mess boys didn't know that so they woke me at 6:30 AM.  Now I'll be short the half hour from 6:30 to 7:00 AM that I usually sleep in.

          I have arranged my hours of work so that I do all routine dentistry in the morning before it gets warm and stuffy.  For the rest of the day I stay topside as much as possible.

          This morning after I finished up my appointments I got another tetanus shot and my arm has been sore ever since.  I've had many shots but this is the first time I got a real reaction.

          The other day, I picked up a magazine you might enjoy.  It is called "The Woman" and is a digest magazine such as "Readers Digest."  There were several articles I enjoyed reading and I know you would also.

          This afternoon with my sore arm and the warm weather, I found me a cool, shady spot on the captain's bridge and read for a while.  In the late afternoon the captain invited our exec and me into his cabin for a cup of coffee.  Then I visited the navigation bridge until dinner which was lousy.

          This evening, the exec, Hansen, Cox and I went to the wardroom and played a few games of "Peek" which I described to you a long time ago.

          Sweet, I do feel punk tonight.  My arm is sore and achy and I'm perspiring to beat the band.  Good night Honey until tomorrow.  I love you as always.

Your one and only

Gil

Navigator Pointed Out Stars and Constellations

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 25 October 1944, 12:00 (Midnight)

        

censored

Dearest Eleanor,

          After writing last night, I intended to turn in because it was past 11:00 PM.  However there was no sleep in me so I went up on the bridge and kept the watch officers company.

          It was a beautiful night.  The sky was completely lit up by stars and a bright moon hanging high.  I just couldn't help think how wonderful it would be to have you with me on an ocean cruise.  When I turned in finally it was past twelve.

          Today was just another routine day.  Worked all morning and part of the afternoon.  It was rather stuffy in my office and I knocked off about 3:00 PM.  Spent the rest of the afternoon on the bridge.  We could see rain squalls on the horizon and expect some foul weather which didn't materialize.  The cloudy sky of early evening gradually cleared up and by 11:00 PM the stars and moon where shining in all their glory.

          Our navigator began pointing out various stars and constellations and before we got through I had a chart of all the large stars and planets which I'm going to study.  Astronomy is very fascinating and I will have time to do a little studying.

          It is really late night so I must say good night (better yet good morning) to my darling.  Until tomorrow, loving you always.

You husband

Gil