Picket Boat Is My Favorite

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Sunday, 2 September 1945, 10:35 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Sunday, a day of rest or so it says in the "big book."  I spent most of the morning working on next week's menus and getting the stewards squared away on how I wanted things done.

          After lunch I got me a tug and went over to Tolosa for a few beers.  There were three of us in the party.  We had a new tug today, a seventy-five footer with a crew of ten men.  The US Navy got this ship from New Zealand, a reverse land lease deal.  It cost $145,000.  You've probably wondered why I've been using tugs most of the time.  Well they are more comfortable than a VP or a whaleboat and make better time.  Of course the picket boat is still my favorite but there are only two available and they are hard to get.  Anyway we got back to the Ocelot at 6:30 just in time for a late turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

          After chow I went up on the forecastle and listened to music until movie time.  We had another pyrotechnical display tonight to celebrate VJ Day.  It didn't come up to the August 10 celebration.  Do you realize that though it was September 2nd here when the treaty was signed that it was still September 1st in the United States? Tomorrow will be Labor Day here, but you'll be celebrating VJ Day. Confusing isn't it?

          Tonight's movie was "A Blonde from Brooklyn," a class B picture but not too bad.  Also we had a short about Port Hueneme.

          No mail today so this is thirty for tonight.  Goodnight Darling until tomorrow.

Loving you as ever,
Gil

Picket boat being launched at Kirkland Marine during WWII.

Rumors

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Wednesday 29 August 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was supposed to be a busy one but I had some last minute cancellations so I really had an easy day.  This afternoon I loafed around and read until 4:00 PM when I had an emergency extraction.  Then back to my room for a shower and change of clothes before dinner.

          A group of us officers were going over to the beach tonight but our boat broke down and the tug we are getting isn't here yet.  Hope she gets here soon because it'll take an hour to go over.

          There was no mail today, but I didn't expect any after yesterday's five letters.  I haven't received the gold braid yet.  I guess those letters were delayed.  I've already gotten mail from Lake Arrowhead so the others should have been here by now.

          There isn't anything more I can tell you. All kinds of rumors are floating around--some that the ship will head stateside in a month or so and others that we'll be out here for months yet.  Of course, I'm hoping that the ship goes back soon.  Even if it doesn't my orders should be here in a month or so (I hope).

          That is all for tonight.  Good night Sweet.  Kiss our two darlings specially for me.

Lovingly,

Gil

Lt. Gilbert Steingart

Prisoners at Large

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Sunday, 26 August 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was Sunday and I really took a day off.  During the USO show on Friday night two PALs (prisoners at large) broke into our armory, stole some guns and ammunition, commandeered a VP and headed for the beach.  One gave himself up yesterday and the other was apprehended on the beach last night.  This morning we sent a picket boat with an armed guard to bring the prisoner back, and I went along for the ride.

          By the time we got back it was 11:30 so I had just enough time to wash up before chow.  Then at 12:30 my tug arrived and "Buzz" Brosseau, the supply officer who relieved Tom Glass, and I shoved off for the beach and a few beers.  After a couple of drinks we thumbed a ride over to the 118th General Hospital and visited with Simmie.  He and a lot of others there have orders to go up to Japan and are leaving soon.  Bet he beats me up there.

          At five we boarded our boat and arrived at the Ocelot at 6:00 PM just in time for a scrumptious turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

          Then to the movies.  Tonight we had a real oldie, "It Happened One Night" with Gable and Colbert.  Everyone enjoyed it.

          The only news today is that Jack Hartfield, our skipper, has his relief aboard.  He hadn't received his orders this morning, but I think he's gotten them since then.  I haven't had a chance to ask him.  Anyway he should be leaving in a week or so.

          Well here's hoping that maybe my relief will pop up one day real soon and that when my orders do come I can up and leave.  It sure beats waiting around for weeks or months as Cox did.

          The mail brought me a sweet card from you and a letter from Libby.  I haven't "pinned up" anything Sweet.  And of course I'm thinking of you and only you.

          No more for now Darling.  So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Chit for a Tug

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 25 August 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, here I am again.  When I awoke this morning at 7:30 I really felt like sleeping in, but I had a busy morning lined up. No rest for the wicked.  Anyway I had a hectic morning and had to work in five extra patients before I was through.

          At noon I relaxed in my bunk with another book, "Great Son," by Edna Ferber.  I think I'll like it.  Back to the old grind at one, but I was all through by two.  Then a little visiting here and there around the ship and so the afternoon went.  At 5:00 PM I showered and changed for dinner (as usual) and then cribbage (again as usual).  My don't I lead an exciting life?

          I've got a chit in for a tug tomorrow.  A few of us will go off on a jaunt at 12:30.  I haven't been off the ship for recreation since last Sunday and I'm ready now.

          No mail today.  Although after yesterday's haul I didn't expect any.  If I don't get busy and write a few letters soon, you'll be my only correspondent.  I owe about everyone.

          We had a pretty good movie tonight, Eddie Bracken and Veronica Lake in "Out of This World."

          That is thirty for tonight.  Happy dreams Sweet and please put your cold feet on my back (soon now).

Love,

Gil

Ocelot Is An Old Ship

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday, 19 August 1945, 1:05 AM

(Really Monday morning)

Dearest Eleanor,

          As late as it is, a promise is a promise so here I am again.  Today being Sunday, I didn't have any appointments scheduled.  However I did have two emergency calls and the rest of the morning was my own.  After chow my tug came alongside and five of us embarked on a little trip.  First we went to a club some twelve miles away, drank some beer and visited until 4:30.  Then back to our tug we went and crossed the bay to another club fifteen miles away.  We had a drink and then went to dinner.  After chow more drinking and singing.  We left for the Ocelot at 11:30 AM on Sunday and returned at 12:30 AM.

          I had a nice cold orange.  Then I undressed, showered and here I am.

          The mailman brought me two letters from you and one from each mother.  I've received mail through the 11th.  These today are of the 8th so there are lots of repeats.

          I'm glad you sent the gold braid.  If we do move up to Japan we'll probably wear blues and I'll need it.  There is nothing definite as to where we'll go.  Manila, Japan or maybe the States.  Who knows?  The Ocelot is an old ship and now that the war is over there'll be many newer ships that could serve in her place and much more effectively.  Let's hope that the brass hats figure the same way as I.

          No more for now Darling.  It is past my beddy-bye.  "Nite-nite" Sweet.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Love and kisses,

Gil

Ocelot--an old,steel clad,  wooden ship

Launched in 1919