The Black Ball Ferry

USS Valley Forge

July 5, 1951

Ferry Kalakala along the Seattle waterfront, 1930s
Postcard courtesy Frances Bynum

Hi Norma,

I hope you're in a better place than I am, the mesquito's are about to eat me alive.  I don't know if I spelled the word right or not, but it's that little bug that goes zzzzzz and bites like heck.

Beginning next Tuesday, I will be a Sailor.  That's the day we go on our first trial run.  I don't know how long we will be out but probably not over 3 to 4 days. [Editor's Note: Jim's return address on his envelope lists his rank as "A.A.," or "Airman Apprentice."]

It sure is nice here tonight.  I'm out in the gun tub again watching the moon rise.  It's a big, beautiful moon.  It sort of gives me a romantic feeling, but there's nothing I can do about it. HA!  It sure is quiet here too.  Makes me feel like I'm the only person on this ship.

Did you ever hear the song called the "Black Ball Ferry?"  It's written about the ferry that runs from Seattle to Bremerton.  From where I sit, I just see it leave the dock going back to Seattle.  It is really a modern boat.  It looks like something from Mars.

I'm mailing all of these letters to Detroit, if you don't get home pretty soon there is going to be quite a pile waiting for you.

I got a letter from Norton L___ about a week ago.  He said he was getting out in October.  Maybe they will get this mess cleared up and all the boys that want to will be coming home.  If they do, that should make you girls happy since there is nothing left but the culls, all  the good men are in the Navy.  HA! 

"Boy," the higher the moon gets, the more romantic I get.  I would sure make some girl a nice date tonight.

Norma, it's dark.  I can't see what I'm doing, so I guess I'll knock off for this time.

Answer soon.

Your mate,

Jim

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Slow Days On The Valley Forge

USS Valley Forge

July 14, 1951

Parker "51" Fountain Pen magazine ad

Hi Norma,

I suppose you are still in New York having lots of fun, but by the time this letter arrives you will be home.

"Boy," this week sure has been slow for me, as far as mail in concerned.  I only got one letter besides the one I got from you.

I heard Joan M______ was home last weekend.  She was lucky to get stationed at Great Lakes.  I guess she could go home every weekend, if she wanted to.

My buddy and I are working hard this week.  We stood watches until 12:00 last night and we have to go on again at 4:30 this afternoon.  He is inside sleeping now, and from the way I feel I should be, but I can't sleep very well in the daytime.

We played ball again a couple of days ago.  As usual, we won.  12 to 9, not exactly a pitcher's battle.  [Editor's note: Jim was a pitcher.] 

I suppose there are lots of men around that resort where you are on vacation, but is there a good man, such as a sailor, there? HA!

I'm pretty darned disgusted, someone borrowed my pen and didn't return it, that was about a week ago.  Now, I just noticed someone borrowed my ink and didn't bring that back, either.

Tomorrow is my anniversary.  It makes my seventh month in the Navy.  I guess I'll have to celebrate by staying on board this ship.  I won't be able to get off.

Well, kid, better shut up for this time.

Answer soon.  

Your paint chipping & watch standing pal,

Jim

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Jim's First Car

USS Valley Forge

July 13, 1951

1949 Chevy 2 door sedan, © 1998-2014 American Dream Cars

Hi Norma,

Don't be surprised at anything in this letter.  Today is Friday, the 13th, and I'm a little scared because I should have stayed in bed, not that I'm superstitous (don't check with the dictionary on my spelling) or anything like that, but I don't like to take chances.

"Boy," you sure are a lucky gal, on vacation in New York.  Some people get all the luck.  No fooling, though, I'm glad you got the chance to go but you're missing the best vacation spot in the country. That's out here.

The picture you sent is real nice.  Pretty, too.  I've never seen you in a pair of shorts before.  

There was a slight interruption in this letter just now.  I was lying in my bunk writing and I'm not supposed to be since this is working hours and along comes a chief petty officer, so now I'm sitting out on a catwalk.  Ha.  I told you I should have stayed in bed.

My car was a '49 Chevy 2 door sedan.  No, it wasn't hydra-matic, they didn't make that in '49.  If they did, I would have had it.  I would almost give my left arm if I still had that car.  If I had known we were going to stay in the States this long, I would have kept it.  

Every day it gets hotter out here.  If it doesn't cool off pretty soon, things out here are going to melt.  

Tell Eleanor I think of two wise remarks for every one she thinks of.

I'm really going to get the work thrown at me this weekend.  I've got to work tonight and probably 16 hours on Saturday.  Then Sunday, I'll probably be on duty again.  

Those pictures will be made Monday or Tuesday.  

Well, kid, I've got to shut up.  This catwalk is getting uncomfortable.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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"What's In It For You?"

USS Valley Forge

July 11, 1951

"What's In It For You?" 1951 Ford Motor Co. magazine ad

Hi Norma,

Well, today is my day off and that's what I mean.  I get the day off but I have to work tonight and since this is about the only chance I get to write, I thought I had better write you.  You are first on my list when I write and I always think of you.

We played ball last night and won 11 to 6.  I hit a home run and a triple.  We have a good team. We've only lost one or two games.  The team [that we played] last night looked good in practice, but we cooled them off when the game started.  

Did you go to the game (All Star game, that is) yesterday?  If I had been home, they couldn't have kept me away.  [Editor's Note: The 1951 Major League Baseball All Star Game was played at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, not far from where Norma lived.]

Norma, old pal, there isn't much to talk about from here.  Ah, yes, there is one thing for sure.  We're pulling out of here on the 24th of July and the sooner, the better.  I like this country OK, but I just want to get away.

I suppose you are still working every day but if you aren't, I wouldn't blame you.  I don't like to work in the summertime, myself.

Did you get that cabin in Canada?  

A friend of mine from Texas just came off leave with a '51 Ford Convertible, pretty "shek" job.

Well, Norma, I might as well shut up.  I don't know anything else to write.

I'll try again pretty soon.

Your buddy,

Jim

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Celebrating The 4th

USS Valley Forge

July 7, 1951

Scan of theatrical poster for the Warner Bros' film, "Fort Worth" 

Hi ya, Norma,

Just got your letter this morning and was real glad to hear from you.

Well, this is another Saturday.  I don't know why I'm aboard, but I just haven't gotten around to going ashore yet.

I went bowling last night, then after that I went to a movie.  I saw "Fort Worth*" with "Randy" Scott. It was pretty good, but not as good as most of his pictures.  

So, the gang pulled a big picnic the 4th, "eh."  I did too, I worked all day but not very hard.  We sure had a good dinner that day.  Turkey, ham, shrimp cocktails, and strawberry shortcake, a lots of other things too numerous to name.

Yes, I remember Brother H__ (I can't spell his first name) and I believe he is right.  I can't explain why in a letter, but I could if I was talking to you.  Besides, what you've been taught don't make it right.  For example, I was taught to feel superior to colored people, but I don't.  

I think we are leaving here the last of the month.  I hope so, I'm tired of being in one place.  I was hoping to see more country.

I received a letter from Billie Sue T_____.  She says she got over her operation swell.  

My buddy who, so far, has always said he wouldn't get married while he was in the Navy, called his girl friend in Chicago last night and I think he has about changed his mind.  I bet when he gets his next leave, he comes back a married man.

Well, Norm, I hear the outside calling, so I had better sign off and go in town and see what I can dig up.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

*Editor's Note: Although Jim's letter is dated July 7 and he refers to seeing "Fort Worth" the night before, IMDb lists the film's official release date as July 14, 1951.  

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Ridge Runners and Hillbillies

USS Valley Forge

July 2, 1951

Raid on a moonshine still in Boyd County, Kentucky, ca. 1928. Note the row of bottles at the mouth of the rock shelter.
Ohio River Portrait Collection contributed by Harry Boone Nicholson Sr. Kentucky Historical Society Collections.

Hi Norma,

How's the kid?

I just received two letters from you this morning and they were most welcome, "believe me!"  I wrote you two letters, one Saturday and one Sunday, but went out on the beach and forgot to mail them, so I threw them in the can and am writing again.  If you want to get mad at me this time, I promise not to do it again.

I didn't go any place this weekend.  I was slightly broke, but today was payday, so I'll start all over again.

I hope you kids get that cabin in Canada and if I was home I would like to go with you.  I could use a short vacation.

Tell your cousin I know that everyone from Kentucky is a hillbilly.  Worse than that, they are ridge-runners and that she can't deny it.

"Boy," is it hot here, in fact, it is the hottest its been out here in a long time, according to the old timers out here.

I tried taking some snapshots to send you, but none of them turned out any good, so right away, I'm going into town to get some made at a studio over there, something I won't be ashamed to send you.  

Pretty soon, I guess, we will be pulling out of here for San Diego to pick up our air group, then if they get things cleared up in Korea, we might not have to go back there.  

I hope they do end it, not because I don't want to go, but because of the Marines who are getting shot up there.

Well, kid, I've got to go up on the flight deck now and it is almost time to go to work.

So answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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Twenty Bucks And Pulling A Liberty

USS Valley Forge

June 23, 1951

Service members hit the floor in 1944 at a USO dance in Hertford, North Carolina. The club offered entertainment for those serving at the Harvey Point Naval Auxiliary Air Station. (Courtesy of the Museum of the Albemarle)

Hello Norma,

I just received your letter this afternoon.  I hope this finds you real swell but I'm not going to say how I feel.  Not after last night.

We had a ship's dance in town last night.  (I think I told you about it before.)  Anyway, it was quite an affair.  I left early and went some place else, otherwise someone might have had to carry me home.

It was about 1:30 when I did get home.  I went on watch at 7:30 this morning and just got off about an hour ago, but the worst part is that I've got to go back on two hours from now.  "Ah, yes," it is 5:00 now.

My buddy's mother sent him twenty dollars to buy his father a birthday gift, but instead we pulled a liberty last night and still have enough left to pull another one.  

"Ah, well," we will buy him something payday, but he will never know how much we appreciated that twenty bucks.

I can't send those pictures this time because I don't have any, but I will as soon as I get some made.

It's too bad you don't get a vacation this year.  If you did maybe you could talk your mom & pop into coming out here.  They could never find a better vacation place than this.  

Tell your cousin from Kentucky "hello" for me.  Also, ask her how the rest of the hillbillies are getting along.

"Oh, yes," two of our boys came in from the dance last night pretty well loaded.  Some of the guys put them in bed and a little while later both of them fell out of their bunks.  The bunks they sleep in are about 5 feet from the deck.  One of them was bruised pretty bad.

Well, "Norm," I better close.  I want to write my brother and I don't have much time before I go on watch.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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