Letter #3: September 24, 1943 to Robbie and John (At sea)

Sept. 24, 1943


Dear Robbie and John,

I wish you could see the big ship I've been riding on.  It seems almost as long as from your house to the park, but of course it really isn't quite that big.  The ship moves along quietly and quite swiftly.  And there are often birds  which coast along as fast as the ship without any trouble at all.

I must tell you about some pelicans I saw.   A pelican is a rather long-legged bird with big wings and a very long fat bill.  In fact a pelican can hide an entire fish in his bill.

The pelicans I saw flew alongside the boat and searched for fish.  When one, way up high, saw a fish sneaking under the water he'd dive down to the ocean and whish!  And plop!  The pelican would scoop up the fish in his bill and fly away.

There is a funny poem about pelicans.  Part of it is:  "A funny old bird is the pelican.  His bill can hold more than his belly can."

Then there are big seagulls which circle around the wake of the ship.  They fly very gracefully.  And when they get tired they sit right down in the water and draw their wings around them like shawls.  You would laugh to see them.

Do help mom as much as you can.  And keep well.

Love from Daddy