Letter from Halifax, N.S., January 15, 1918 — second sheet and verso of first sheet, signed 'your brother John'
Book 1, Page 446 ·1918
Transcription
The scan presents two leaves of the letter at once. The second sheet of the letter occupies the upper portion of the scan and is oriented 90° anticlockwise relative to the lower portion; when read in narrative order it comes first. The verso of the first sheet occupies the lower portion of the scan, right-side up, and contains the closing and signature.
Second sheet (upper portion of scan, here transcribed in its natural reading order)
Just got a letter from “Dad” and was mighty sorry to hear how sick you had been. Knew you had had grippe but had no idea you had been so sick. I certainly sympathize with you and hope you are entirely well and comfortable now. If your sickness has depleted your funds let me know and I will be able to send you a little as I don’t think Dad needs any help for quite a while.
We are getting quite a write up on our rescue work and as soon as I can procure papers will send
Verso of first sheet (lower portion of scan)
you the clippings. All we are doing here is to stand by and go out to help ships in distress from storms — and this is some coast for vessels get- ting in trouble all of the time. We just escaped being frozen in for the winter in Labrador. Since we think we are going to enjoy a comfortable little rest along side of this dock out we go — and into weather that is no joke for one that is bred in the South.
Hoping you are well now and that you will drop me a line about your condition soon as ever, with love your brother John
AI Notes
The signature on the verso reads ‘your brother John’, identifying the writer as a brother of Louisa FitzSimons named John, writing from Halifax during a U.S. Navy or Coast Guard winter patrol in January 1918. The second sheet (upper portion of scan, oriented 90° relative to the verso) precedes the verso in reading order: it begins ‘Just got a letter from Dad…’ and ends ‘procure papers will send’, which continues directly onto the verso (‘you the clippings. All we are doing here…’). The verso closes with thanks for Louisa’s letter, hopes for her recovery from grippe, and the news that the ship is moving out into still worse weather along the Labrador coast.