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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Apache Drums

USS Valley Forge

June 19, 1951

Apache Drums Theatrical Release Poster, 1951* 

Hi Norma,

How's the girl?

I'm sorry I haven't written sooner, but I've been out of town.

A buddy from Chicago and I hitchhiked to Tacoma this weekend and then hitched back to Seattle and finally back to the ship.  We got back at midnight Sunday, but I didn't have any stationery and couldn't get any until today.  And if I'm forgiven, I'll not let it happen again.

We sure had a swell time on our trip and the best part of it was that the transportation didn't cost us anything.  We stayed Friday night in Tacoma and almost got to Mt. Rainier but not quite.  I think Mt. Rainier is the highest mountain in North America.  

Tacoma isn't a very good liberty town, it's too quiet.  We came back to Seattle and met some people.  They invited us out to their home and, boy, was it nice.  The house was built on one of the many bays that go to make Puget Sound.  We drove through hills for a little ways, then we came down onto a wide, grassy beach.  Their house was so cool and always had a little breeze blowing.  The swimming was real swell.   They invited me to come back any time I could and I think I will take them up on it.

Enough of that.  What have you been doing to keep busy?  About all I do is kill time.  I'll be glad when we pull out of here and really go to work.  It gets too dull just doing nothing.  I sure was glad to get those letters from you.  You were the only person I heard from all weekend.  In fact, you're the only one of the old bunch who writes me very often.  

I'm going to a movie tomorrow night to see "Apache Drums."  Has it come to Detroit yet?  

I would like hear those records you have.  They sound pretty good.

I guess I had better close for now.  I can't think of anything else to write about.  I'll write again the first chance I get.

Answer soon.

Your pal,

Jim

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*The poster art copyright is believed to belong to the distributor of the film, Universal Pictures, the publisher of the film or the graphic artist.  The image may be found at http://www.amazon.com/Apache-Drums-Poster-Movie-27x40/dp/B000OL61MG.  The copy is of sufficient resolution for commentary and identification but lower resolution than the original poster. Copies made from it will be of inferior quality, unsuitable as counterfeit artwork, pirate versions or for uses that would compete with the commercial purpose of the original artwork.

More Musings On The Banks Of Puget Sound

USS Valley Forge

June 10, 1951

Boats in Puget Sound, ca. 1970, General Subjects Photograph Collection, 1845-2005, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives,http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, June 16, 2015. 

Hi ya Norma,

Today I'm sitting in a gun-tub on the port side of the ship.  The scenery over here is more beautiful than on the starboard side.  In case you wondered, the port side is the left side and starboard is the right.

On this side of Puget Sound the hills aren't so high and there are more trees.  And there are fewer houses.  

I had a good sleep last night.  I went to bed at midnight and got up at 10:30 this morning, but I had it coming.  I had been on watch for 24 hours, but of course, I had a chance to sleep a little while on watch.  

Well, what have you been doing? Still chasing around with Pat and that other girl (I forgot her name)?

Of course, I meant besides chasing boys.  That comes first in any girl's life.

In case you haven't noticed, my pen isn't writing so "pretty good."  So, you can't blame it all on me.

"Boy," is it ever quiet out here.  No sound except water pouring out of the escape valves on the this side of the ship.  

You never did tell me who told you about Dot and me, did you?

Not that it matters, but I'll tell you something that I told you already, I think.  I asked Dot to wait for me while I was home and about two months ago I wrote her to forget I ever asked her to wait, which she probably had already.  And she didn't answer.  I didn't want her to stop writing, but I guess she has.  But I suppose that doesn't matter, either.  

I finally got a letter from Riva G________, it sure was about time.

Well, "kid," I better sign off for this time.  I'll write you again first chance I get.  

Answer soon.

Your buddy, 

Jim

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The Pride Of Omaha Street

USS Valley Forge

May 27, 1951

Miss Norma Cornett

1____ Omaha Street

Detroit (25) Mich.

Norma (right) with her cousin, Eula, on Omaha Street, circa 1950.

Hi Norma,

How's the pride of Omaha Street?  

It is a cold, gloomy day in Washington.  I meant to go out but my pea coat is dirty so I guess I'll stay aboard.

I sure would like to be home with you people today.  I bet I could really have fun in Detroit now.  I feel just in the mood for it.  

It looks like we may be leaving this place sooner than I expected.  Tomorrow we are moving out of dry-dock to a pier.  I don't know what the difference is either, but there is still lots of work to do on this tub.  

I didn't do much on my weekend off.  I went fishing but didn't catch anything.  Then, I went gal-chasing, didn't catch anything there, either.  Guess I use the wrong kind of bait.  I was listening to the ball game, but it was rained out.  That's all there is to the weather out here, "rain." 

You kids must be out on a wiener roast this afternoon.  If you're not, you should be.  I bet the weather is nice in Detroit.

I would like to go out with the bunch again.  Sundays like this bring back fond memories.  Sometimes I wish I had stayed eighteen years old, the age I was when I came to Detroit.  "Gee," did we have fun then.  Now, I'm old and have to go win a war.  HA!  "Oh, well, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy." 

Don't answer that. 

Well, kid, I've got to knock off now.  I can't think of anything else to ruminate about.  Answer real soon.

Your admiral,

Jim

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On Love, On The Banks of Puget Sound

USS Valley Forge

May 26, (I think) 1951

Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, 1940-1960, Charles R. Laidlaw, State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives,http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov, June 4, 2015. 

Hello Norma,

How's the kid?  Fine, I hope and this leaves me splendid.  (I don't know what the word means, either.)

I'm glad you think my [hand]writing has improved.  I really appreciate you saying that.  It is almost the best compliment you could have paid me.  

I'm sitting out in a gun-tub on the star-board side of the ship writing this.  There are six small caliber anti-aircraft guns mounted in this tub.  They are vicious looking things, but also they look protecting.  Out in front of me is the aircraft carrier, "Bunker Hill."  Right now it is in moth balls, but not for long I don't think.  

And above Puget Sound I can see beautiful, wooded hills rising in the distance.  I could go on, but you must be bored by now and besides I've almost given up on the idea of being a writer. HA.  All joking aside, this is pretty country and I'll tell you about it when I get home.

You mentioned your girl friend's husband being in Korea.  You can tell her that you know a guy who will be there pretty soon.  We will probably shove off the last of July.  

And you want to know if I'm in love with Dot H______.  I don't know myself for sure.  And for "gosh sake" keep what I say under your hat.  The girl I referred to in another letter as being the only one I ever cared about was Phyllis M______.  I know you remember her.  I still had memories of her when I came in the navy.  I said I didn't ever love her, but I did.  I might as well admit it.  But not anymore.   I saw her when I was home and we talked for a while and all the love I ever had for that woman is gone.  To put it bluntly, "I wouldn't give her hay if she was a cow in a concrete pasture." 

But getting back to the subject.  There is no one I respect more than Dorothy.  I would like to see her the happiest woman in the world and that's more than I could give her.  Dot deserves a better man than I can hope be and anything she asked of me, I would do my best to do for her.  But now is no time for me to worry about things like that. 

I've got four years to put in this outfit, then maybe I'll have time for gold bands and the like.  

I still would like to know who told you.  I don't think it was Willie G___ or Norma or Charlene R______.  I think it was Dorothy herself.  

If I'm wrong, please correct me.  

I've been out with lots of girls in my life and cared nothing for any of them but Phyllis and Dot.  

And now Phyllis is out and it's hard to explain how I feel about her.  I guess you would call it love turned to hate, and it's not a very nice feeling either.  

Ah, well, enough of that stuff.  I've got to sign off anyway.

So, until next time, answer soon.

Your admiral,

Jim

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