Kelley reflects on ship life and the sea.
USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE 86) at Sea
It’s bad enough aboard a ship when you have something to do but aboard this ship time hangs heavy. Besides our watches there’s nothing to do. The weather’s been good except for our usual rain squalls. They look rather queer hanging over the ocean in the distance, like veils. You can stand on the forecastle and watch them approaching slowly. When they finally hit the ship visibility is cut to zero and everything is drenched.
I slept out on the forecastle a few nights and it was really swell. Quite cool, but under a blanket of stars it felt good compared to a hot ship. When they darken ship at dusk it really gets unbearable below decks almost like an oven. I sure hate drawing down security watch on the hanger deck. The other night I was forced in from sleeping on the forecastle because we kept running into squalls. In the daylight you can see them coming but at night the first inkling you have that they’re around is when you get soaked.
Our destination is Manus in the Admiralties just south of the Equator and north of New Guinea. We due to arrive on the 10th. Tomorrow we cross the date line again losing the 6th Sept.
I wonder where the Wasp is at this moment and when we’ll get to it? I hope we get there soon because I’ve had my fill already of these replacement jeeps.
Ensign Kelley's WWII Service 