1912 Handwritten Diary Sailor On Board USS Florida Titanic USS Cyclops Pres Taft
Item History & Price
WELCOMETO SALLY’S DIARIES: Upfor auction today is a fabulous sailors diary from the year 1912, thevery same year the Titanic sunk. Our author is Louis Richter. He ison the USS Florida which is in the harbor at Galveston Texas when thediary begins on January 1st. His last entry is 152 pageslater on July 12th.I want to say that theblack and white photos of the ship show above are ones I copiedoff the web but were taken the very same time this diary was written. Louisis a bit illite...rate and when I share the quotes I wrote them just theway he writes as I want to be as authentic with his diary as I can.I’ve taken many of the misspelled words and put the right one inparenthesis next to his. Icouldn’t believe how incredible and historic this diary is. Notonly are his entries so very interesting concerning his life aboardthe ship but some very important events happen during this yearconcerning the USS Florida and other ships; including the Titanic. Asmany of you know the Titanic sunk on April 14th, 1912 andLouis hears of it in the news and writes this entry concerning thedisaster…..“April15th, 1912.…….Todaythere was a ship recked out in mid sea and clame (claim) thatshe sunk. It was her first trip acroost (across). NameTitanica (Titanic). Lost of lives 1800 clamed(claimed) tobe…….” Thenat another time the great collier ship, USS Cyclops, moves up alongside them to deliver coal. The most interesting thing concerning theCyclops is that 6 years later, in 1918, she and all of her crew wentmissing in the Bermuda triangle and were never found. And if that wasn’tenough, on June 3rd while the fleet was in Hampton RoadsVirginia, Louis writes that President Taft came sailing in on hispresidential ship the Mayflower and visited the sailors. This was avery important event which I learned from the web. It’s a longdescription but very important to know concerning our author, theship and this day in American history and I quote.…….“Thosewho hold public office know that one must be careful when making acomment within earshot of the media. In 1910, the battleship USSMinnesota (BB-22) made a port call in England. During an officialreception, the mayor of London asked Minnesota's commanding officer, the always outspoken Captain William Simms, what the United Stateswould do if England were attacked by a foreign power. Simmsresponded, "It is my opinion that you may count on every man, every dollar, every drop of blood of kindred from across the sea." The German dreadnought SMS Molkte near Fort Monore. This statementinfuriated Kaiser Wilhelm who naturally believed he was speaking ofthe German Empire. Relations between Germany and the United Stateswere lukewarm at best in the early 20th century, particularly withGermany's increased involvement in the Western Hemisphere. Thus, President Howard Taft had to publicly reprimand Simms and apologizeto the Kaiser in person. But that was not good enough for Germandiplomats. The diplomats also noted in their official protest thatthe American Navy frequently visited France and Great Britain, butnever Germany. The Germans demanded a public showing of goodwillbetween the United States and the Germans. Taft agreed. In theSummer 1911, the Navy's Second Division of the Atlantic Fleettraveled to Kiel, Germany where the Kaiser and the entire Germanfleet greeted them. Inthe Summer 1912, the German Navy reciprocated the visit with threeships, the cruisers SMS Stettin and Bremen and the brand newdreadnought-type battleship SMS Moltke. Realizing that Taft was inthe middle of a reelection, the Kaiser wanted to send the ships asnot to cause distraction to the American electionseason. Thushe sent them to Hampton Roads from Kiel in May 1912. The three shipsquadron arrived off the Virginia Capes in late May, and were salutedby USS Idaho (BB-24) upon arrival. Two divisions of U.S. Battleshipslined Hampton Roads to greet the Germans, including Utah (BB-31), Michigan (BB-27), Delaware (BB-28), and South Carolina (BB-26). Taftarrived in the Presidential yacht Mayflower and boarded Molkte.There, Vice Admiral Hubert von Rebeur-Paschwitz greeted the Presidentand his entourage and personally gave him a tour of the ship. Taftremarked "Admiral, I'm glad to welcome you and to have anopportunity of visiting the Moltke, of the finest ships I have everseen." Upon leaving the ship, Moltke's band struck up the "StarSpangled Banner."Once the Hampton Roads' festivities were over, the senior staff ofthe German ships proceed to Washington and New York City where theywere wined and dined by America's leading politicians and businessleaders. Thereare those entries and so much more. He talks about 3men and their courtmartial, sleepingon top deck a lot or in his hammock and one night in a barber chair, a manfell overboard from the USS Missouri theycould not find him, boxingmatches, firingtorpedoes and guns at other ships in their fleet for practice, asailor tying to kill himself by drinking oil and then jumpingoverboard, also going to Washington DC and being a part of theunveiling of the Columbus Memorial or the Columbus Fountain and somuch more. At one point ontheir speed trial they beat the USS Utah and became the fastest shipin the Navy at the time. Louisalso gets accused ofinsubordination or mutiny. Inoticed too that the band seems to be playing all the time for thecrew, including holding some dances on board. Thisis really quite the fantastic diary. Here are a few example entriesand please note most of the time I’m only quoting partial days…...1912“January1st, Ashore in Galveston Texas stopping at the Royal Hotel. As the oldyear went out and the new year came in there was a little hellraising here but not very much. It lasted for a half hour and theneverything was as still as a mouse. I turned in at about 1 A.M. andslept till 6:30 A.M. and then returned to the ship……”(The crew ends up having a nice turkey dinner and playing severaldeck games like three legged races, pie eating contest, shoe racesand spar boxing. He sleeps in a hammock. Next day they start coalingthe ship and for the next few days they spend painting and oiling upguns)“January4th, …….Ieat supper at 6 P.M. and went ashore at 6:30 P.M. with my gunnersmate and went to a pool parlor and shot a cuppel of games of poolthen tuck (took) acar and went to the ball bank concert from 8 till 9 P.M. then themarch and dancing after. I got a few dances, a little wine and somecake. I had a nice time but it could be better. Ball lasted till 1A.M.” “January5th, Tuck an auto at the door and road to our larging (lodging)house and believe meit was a bum larging house. If it where not for my other fellorwanting to stay I would have went outas it was a durty(dirty) place.I turned in at 2:30 A.M. and got up at 8 A.M. and went to the landingand waited for the boat. Waitedtill 8:15 A. M.andthen went for a little eats……”(Inspection the next day and the Captain said they were a goodlooking division.)“January6th, ……Weathertoday was raining and cloudy at 5 P.M. Seas getting good and rough.Liberty party went ashore to have to back at 7 P.M. tomorrow as theyhave to round up all the drunks and liberty breakers all day tomorrowas we are to leave Monday January 8, 12 at 5 A.M. From 7:30 till 9P.M. past the time away by liysing(listening) to somesmuty storys and writing this log. Turned in at 9 P.M. There wasthree fellorskicked out of theserves (service).Bad condick(conduct).” “January7th, ……Ihad to go down in my bag and break it out and show it to the Div.officer. He gest(just) returnedfrom leave as he was away for 13 days. We all like him, we wish hestayed away forever because he is to stricket (strict).He wished us all ahappy new year andthen gives us hell……”(On the 8ththey head out of Galveston and are on their way to KingstonJamaica. Lots of gun drills the next day and target practice)“January10th, “…….Whileon watch went below and tuck a bath and scrubed cloths and hung themup to dry and it tuck till 11:15 P.M. to get through. Not on deckwhere I am soposed (supposed)to be all the watchby life boat. If enneyone(anyone) wouldfall over board theyed had to look for me. One fellor got five dayspunk and water for not been at the boat when mustered was called. Iturned in at 12 midnight.” (One ofthe crew had his hand cut off by ammunition firing.) “January13th, ArrivalKingston Jamaica……While coming to anchor started to hoist out 3rd(?) steamer and thechane (chain) brokeor something gave away and the steamer fell through the first andsmashed it all to hell and then went overboard with hole(whole) crew in it.There was a hell of an up rough(roar) for a littlewhile. Life boat was lowed and while they started to pull forthe reck the officerin chard (charge)fell over too. Utahsteamers came overand picked up the men that where swimming around. Well there was knowone drowned but they were luckey, steamer sank like a stone……”(Next day he took a crew out to drag the water for the steamer thatsunk. One of the divers was knocked out doing it and they had to gethim into sick bay. They are loading Jamaica rum for the officers.They head out of Jamaica the night of the 15th.)“January17th, ……At3 P.M. had to get in clean clothes for quarters as we where coming into Guantanamo Bay Cuba. There was a lot of ships here and we dropedanchor at 3:15 P.M. and then dismist(dismissed) andworked till 5:30 P.M. and eat supper at 6 P.M. At 7 P.M. movingpictures and band played and we had some boxing matches till 9 P.M.and they made a speech about making thisship the best in thefleet….” (Newadmiral comes aboard, W. A. R. Ward from the USS Minnesota.)“January19th, ……Theadmiral inspected the crew and said the crew looked fine. Band playedwhile he was inspecting. Was dismist at 10:30 A.M. the fellars areworking bilding(building) astage and fixingeleritc (electric)lights all aroundthe ship for the marring of the ship with the fleet.We are to give a smoker tonightfor that occasion……”(Two page description of the party that night. Lots of crew membersfrom the other ships joined them on board.) “January26th, …..AdmiralOauster House Commander in Cheaf of the fleet came on board at 5:30P.M. and there was not an officer on watch to receave(receive) him whenhe came on board. When he could not find enney one he went up forwardto the Admiral of this ship and stayed there for sometime. And thismorning I had to brak out anold rusty twenty dollar bill and got a hair cut and shave as I wasall most drove to get it. Right after I broke that twenty dollor billout of my dittey box and spent a dollar Iturned it over tothe pay clork(clerk) for salt(safe) keeping.I turned in on a place of canvers (canvas)on deck on topsideat 9 P.M. and slept there till the next morning and my back washurting when I got up. It was a very nice night. Stars shing(shinning) brightand I slept with gunners mate.” “February1st, …..Hada falling out with gunners mate, an every dayaccurince(occurrence) at4 P.M. Went a shore with swimming party and stayed till 5:45 P.M.then ate supper at 6 P.M. At 7 P.M. Iwas put out ofchest. Not me but my cloths and was toled (told)that I lost my dragthat I had with the gunners mate but much drag with him I never hadfor I told him what I thought of him every time I had the chance.Moving pictures tonight from 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. I think I willgive up my job tomorrow as I am sick of him and of the job.” “February4th, Weather fair and cloudy. Arosed(arose) from myresting bunk on deckat revelly (revile)5:30 A.M. Turned to at 6A.M. and helpt(helped) scrubdown decks. Was finished at 7:30A.M. Ate our regaler(regular) Sundaymorning meal. Beans, 1000in a plate and cornbread. After breakfast put on dress whits (whites)and study by forquarters. It went at 9:15 A.M. Fell and all hands marched aft. andthe commander read off three genarl(general) courtmarchel (martial)and each one gotsencentes(sentences) to oneyear in prison on hard labor anddisomarbal(dishonorable) dischargefrom the navy. Then marched forward and was dismist……”“February8th, …..Justbefore going to sleep a man fell over boarde from the USS Missouriand the ships turned on all there sertch(search) lights butdid not find him. They where coaling ship.” “February12th, …….Aftersupper sat around in durty cloths when a shipmate from the Missouricame over to see me. Well I had to take him aroung(around) and showhim around my million dollor home and there was a few bouts andboxing matches pulledoff and we stud(stayed) andwashed (watched)them. Had a nicetalk to geather about old intimes(olden times) at9 P.M. He left the ship and I turned in.”“February14th, Weather nice, clear and warm. Turned out at reveille as usely(usual) 5 A.M. Scrubdown deck and about 7 A.M.a serply (supply)ship named the USSLebanon came alongside with a honndred(hundred) and fortyrounds of blined or targetprackets (practice)shells and somemershine (machine)oil. Did not tuchenney till after breakfast……”“February15th, …TheUSS Cyclops, a lard coal coulier came along side to coal us at 7 A.M.We ate breakfast and turned to on coaling ship at 7:45 A.M……..”(On the 19ththey arrive at Guantanamo Bay) “February22nd, …….Atnoon there was a sudit(salute)of 21 guns firedfrom the ship and also from all the others. Band played from 1230till 1 P.M. Past afternoon away by watching sail boat races betweenall the ships in the fleet that are know down here. This ship did notenter enney. I also had a little nap….I hate like hell to go northyet I would like stay here till April or May. But I think weleave her (here)for New York tomorrow…….”“March13th, (New York) FromMarch the first till today spent the time away on going ashore everyother day and jumping ships once in a while. We took stores aboardand coaled ship, put on ammunition and also shifted births. Today weare having a docktrieal (trial).Can’t go ashoretoday as we leave the yard tomorrow for Boston. And then for ourspeed tireal up in Maine. Ihave had a very nicetime while we have been laying here in Brooklyn but my side kickerMickey got in bad. He was caughtjumping ship and gota sumay (?)…….”(Heleaves the ship for a bit while in Boston and sees the parade theyare having for President Taft. On the 22ndthey anchor at Rockland Maine)“March26th, ……Weleft Rockland Maine at 11:30 A.M. for where I do not know. We are onour fast speed tril(trial) the firstthree hours we made22.015 knots per hour and after that made something like 23 per hour.Beleave (believe)me we wheresertnely(certainly) goingsome from 2 till 5 P.M. I took a nap among hammock at 7 P.M. andturned in at 8 P.M. We beat the Utahfor speed and arethe fastest battle ship in the Navy…..” (They arrive in Hampton Roads on March 29th)“March31st, ……Iwas getting interested with wrighting quarters when it was 4:30 P.M.and we and all the rest of the fleet up anchored and prosedeted(proceeded) to theSouthern drill grounds. The Connecticut was in the lead and we wheresection in line. There are about 25 or 30 ships. We where only underway a few hours when we came to anchor at the Southern drill groundsat 7 P.M. Bandplayed from 6:30 till 7:30 P.M. I was on watch from 6 till we came toanchor…..” “March4th, …..Itwas at 10 A.M. when our ship and the rest of the first Div. got upanchor and got underway for what I do not know. General quarters at10:15 A.M. and we had loading drill. Dismist at 11 P.M. the forthDiv. was laying off about 10, 000 yards up and we past. We fired aterpeto (torpedo)and when itleft it hit thebottom and then came up, jumped out of the water and it got her headcaved in. Well we kept up fireing terpetos at one another all day.Some hit the ships and some world stop short…….”(OnApril 11ththey are at Lymhaven Bay but they don’t stay there long)“April10th, Got up at 5 A.M. Tramped down deck and ate breakfast at 6 A.M. Took awash on top side. Making every thing fast to fire our twelve inchguns. The Utah is towing our target. At 7 A.M. general quarters wentand when we got on the range they commensent(commenced) firingand they got out 40 shots and had 20 left over and got about 5 hits.Was through at 9 A.M…..”“April12th, …….At11 A.M. had a talk with pottey(petty) officerSmith in our Div.and I said to him that it was durty(dirty) trickto tell on a fellarthat jumped ship and get him a summary. Well he got mad and reportedit to the officer of the deck who’s name was Jorden, a mean man andhe went in and told the commander. Had a little talk with him andthen he put me on the report and this is what I am up for, Incerboardnation (insubordination)or disrespect to apottey officer or committingmuiterney(mutiny)……” (On their way to New York)“April15th, …….Todaythere was a ship recked out in mid sea and clame(claim) that shesunk. It was her first trip acroost(across). NameTitanica (Titanic).Lost of lives 1800.Clamed to be…….” “May27th, …….Isee by the paper today that his ship and the Utah is going to Cuba tostand by for war but I don’t think we will see Cubatill the wintercomes…..” (OnJune 1stthey finally leave Brooklyn Navy Yard and head to Hampton Roads.)“June3rd, Weather clear. Inthe morning cleaned up decks from 5 till 7 A.M. At 9 A.M. Germanfleet pulled in Hampton Roads and anchored right off our staf side.AT 11 A.M. unerform(uniform) waschanged to dress whites and all the ships dressed ship at 11:15 A.M.The May Flower and the President pulled in and all of us had to standalong the ____ line while he went past. There was one continuousround of fireing of all the ships and sounded like a little battle.21 guns was fired from each ship. At 12:15 P.M. when it was over, dinner at 12:30. Quarters at 1 P.M. again for what I did not know. At4:35 P.M. the May Flower left again and then we had to man the railagain and some more guns where fired from all the ships. Then we tookall the flags down at 7 P.M. All the high officers of the shipassembled on our ship and played and the officers had adinner. There wherebands in the orcaster (orchestra).”(On the 13ththey head back to Boston then on the 19ththey head to Provence town Massachusetts where they stay for about 10days arriving at Newport Rhode Island on June 30thwhere they stay until July 12th.It’s during these times he only writes when they pull into a portand pull out of it, not writing while at each destination.)“July12th, (AtBlock Island)……Inthe evening at 7 P.M. there was aman overboard and Iand a lot of other fellorsmand the life boat and there was four other fellors over trying toget him. He did not want to be saved as gest(just) a littlewhile befor he jumped over. He drank oil and some other things to tryand kill himself but he was fouled because us life savers where toquick for him. We where told by the captain that it was good andquick work and took the fellors names that jumped overboard for himand I gess (guess)they will be rewarded for it. At 8 P.M. band and moving picturesstarted and lasted till 10 P.M. then I turned in.” “June16th, (His last entry). At2 A.M. was awaken by steamerbanging up agents(against) ship sideand at that time the sertch(search) lightswhere light trained on a steamer that run up on the little islandnamed Rose Island. It was the N. Steamer. It got off alright in latemorning. At 8 A.M. while making a trip with steamer a hole wasknocked in our steamer by a slice bar by fireman from in side throughbottom. We where filling up fast and as soon as we gotback to ship wewhere hoisted in and the holewas pacthed(patched) upand went over side again at 11 A.M. and was all right again forrunning.” Thereis so much more than what I’ve quoted here. The diary is written ina marbled tablet style journal that measures about 5 3/4” x 8 1/2”.The cover is in poor shape as the spine edge is very torn and it’sall pulling away from the binding. But the pages and the bindingitself looks good.
