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Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Barracks 220

Philadelphia, Pa

May 1st, 1918

My Dear Blackhurst.

Sometime ago I promised to write you letter for publication and I am now writing to by[sic] off 
from my promise.

It is very unwise to attempt to write anything for publication without provision and the twice 
that I have tried have resulted in their being turned back.

My letters here are not censored so I may say severall [sic] things confidentially but dare not 
risk their publication.

I was on the Kentucky several weeks and was one of five selected from

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that ship to be sent to school in Philadelphia for technical training. Thirty days is the length 
of the course.

I am now a first class petty officer or non commissioned officer as they say in the army. I rate 
with top sergeant in the army but would rather have the navy rate.

I have seen many soldiers on their way across. Mighty fine material too and tons & tons of flour 
and provisions, therefore you people eat mor [sic] bread.

I have a padlock and key of rather unusual design acquired from one of the German internal ships 
which was acquired in the manner in which most souveners [sic] are acquired.

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Some of these times I am going to send it to the Historical Museum for it is of real historical 
worth. At the time I purloined it, it was on a sailors [sic] chest.

I have been twice almost to the other coast but not in sight of France. We were met each time by 
destroyers and then we turned back.

One never knows where they are going next. My coming here was a surprise.

The cyclops given up her lock had on her two men that I know of who came from my company at Seattle 
Wash. Fort friends they were too.

In Boston I heard Pat O'Brien the aviator and saw Guy Empey who writes about "over there". Have 
seen numerous men and women from Belgium who

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tell of things hard to believe Saw the British veteran tank Brittonia and her crew who fought in 
France with her.

While in Boston I spent most of my spare hours in looking up places of historic interest.

This Sunday I'm going to Valley Forge for the day by the invitation of some people in the city.

I find an increasing desire on the part of people to do things for the men in uniform.

So many people of talent and wealth are contributing time and money to our welfare.

If I were able to sit with you for half a day I could spend every minute of it in telling you of 
things I have seen since enlisting nearly a year ago, but will do that after it is over. Yours 
sincerely, W.B. Fell.

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