The Atlantic Shuttle was a daily newsletter distributed aboard ship during World War I. The content generally consisted of ships activities, updated war news, sports scores, jokes, and moral-boosting notations.
The following are exerpts from several issues of The Atlantic Shuttle, from two voyages. This material now resides in the Public Domain. Researchers are invited to download this file for personal non-commerical use only. Ellen Pack
Ellen
Pack
This Page is Copyright, 1997 - All Rights Reserved
Friday, June 14, 1918-
Entertainment - Life on an ocean liner differs greatly from shore
life, but it is not as monotonous as the folks bck home imagine.
With two bands, an orchestra, solo, quartet and chorus singing, together
with a dozen phonographs and three pianos, we have a great abundance and
variety of music. At it's regular appearances on the boat deck aft
each day the Engineer's band of 46 pieces makes a splendid showing.
We have two moving picture outfits and 150 reels of the very best films
showing popular stars, and matinees are held daily. Vaudeville, athletic
and pugilistic performances may be arranged through the Y.M.C.A representatives
and the entertainment committee. Several thousand books have been
assigned to the various troop spaces, and the newspaper goes daily to every
man aboard ship. Something may take all the joy out of life at any
moment, but at least war isn't altogether what Sherman said it was.
Saturday, June 15, 1918-
More Soldiers - It has been officially announced by the war department
that 280,000 additional men will be called to the colors this month under
the selective service law. They will be ordered to report June 24th
and it is expected that every large cautonment in the country will receive
part of the new quota of the National Army.
Sunday, June 16, 1918
Notice - The Chaplain's church has been commandeered for the use
of the sandwich battalion, so out-door services will be held both fore
and aft at 10 a.m. by the navy and army chaplains, respectively.
Monday, June 17, 1918
Today is the anniversay of the Battle of Bunker Hill. If we
are true sons of our forefathers, we will not celebrate until we join in
the big jubilee after canning Kaiser Bill.
From Bunker Hill to Kaiser Bill
Is quite a distant call;
But with a will we'll fight until
The kaiser's 'gainst the wall.
Tuesday June 18, 1918
When we are tempted to complain of our inconveniences, and they
are as many or more than our conveniences, let us not forget that in this
steel house of eight floors we have a complete town, with practically every
interest represented here. The church, the school, the doctor and
lawyer, a laundry, plumber, gasfitter, steam, electic and gas engineering,
sawmill, coppersmith, postoffice, rope makers, sail makers, shoe maker,
tailor, expert cooks, bakers and chefs, telegraph office, telephones, sewerage
and sanitary officeers, a job printing office and a daily newspaper, a
blacksmith and ironworkers, drugstore and haberdashery. A group of
officials in command who have every interest of every man at heart in caring
for them through this link of the cain of Uncle Sam's service. As
Harry Lauder would say: "Ye canna beat it."
Wednesday, June 19, 1918
LAND AHOY! - We can appreciate the feeling with which the crews
of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria gave that shout 416 years ago.
It may be a barren island or it may be Italy, or France or England, but
at any rate it is Land and we're singing hallelujahs. We been
on this rough Atlantic for what seems like two months, and now our hearts
are palpitating with joy.
Appreciation - The Atlantic Shuttle desires to voice the appreciation of "All hands and the cook" for the spirit of mutual helpfulness and good will which has prevailed in spite of all the hardships and dangers of this voyage. Not alone for The Shuttle has this maiden voyage been fraught with unusual difficulties. We have all had our share of anxiety and trouble to bear. But the feelings of charity and forbearance have sustained us, and we are proud of the clean record with which we leave beind. Let us hold in memory the entertainments, the friendships, and the joys and pleasures of the trip, and cherish the hope that we shall soon meet again.
Thursday, July 11, 1918
Greetings - With this issue "The Atlantic Shuttle" makes its bow
to all of the men aboard ship. We are glad to have you with us.
We like your looks, and we belive that we are going to be close friends.
To be good friends means that we must be mutually helpful. We are
going to try to help you by telling you each day the news of the world
as it comes in on the wings of wireless. We shall expect you to help
us by telling us of all the amusing incidents, witty remarks and funny
feeling which happened along the rail. We will supply you with a newsy
letter, already censored, of over 2000 words daily to the folks back home,
and you will supply us with the news, joy, enthusiasm, hope, faith and
cheer which goes into that letter. We want to mobolize all the talent
aboard ship and publish a paper that will be a fit representative of our
ship, and a credit to our passengers.
Friday, July 12, 1918
Today's Program -
1 p. m. movie matinee for men with blue tags only. Stars:
Wm. S. Hart in "Blue Blazier Rander [sic] and Mack Sennett in "Watch Your
Neighbor."
2 p. m. band concert on boat deck
4 p. m. chow.
6 p. m. jazz band in ward room
7 p. m. band concert
Buck up. Be cheerful. Don't figure that this is your last trip across. You'll be coming back soon, And you will have the Kaiser's scalp dangling from your belt.
Sunday, July 14, 1918
Baseball Results -
American League
Boston, 6; Chicago, 3
Philadelphia, 3; Cleveland, 1
Wasington, 5; Detroit, 4
National League
Cincinnati-Brooklyn, rain
Chicago, 8; Boston, 0
Pittsburg-New York, rain
St. Louis, 8; Philadelphia, 5
Tuesday, July 16, 1918
With the Sick - Mr. A. Vernon of Headquarters Co., is the only man
who has been seriously ill thus far. He was operated on for appendicitus
yesterday, and is doing nicely. We hope to have him back with us
in a few days.
Lost - A Waterman self filling fountain pen, somewhere on the ship,
last Sunday; finder please return to Frank S. Davidson, Troop space
25, bunk 364.
Will the person who borrowed my fountain pen kindly return it to
Fred Buono, troop space 72, bunk 133
Please turn all lost identification tags in to Army Headquarters.
Wednesday, July 17, 1918
LAND! LAND! Hello Europe! The top of the morning
to you! We hope you're as glad to see us as we are to see you!
Found - This morning I feel indeed grateful to the honest fellow shoulder who returned my precious fountain pen and to the efficiency of our progressive "Atlantic Shuttle" and its wide circulation. The little pen has proven invaluable to me, especialy as it was a gift form my sister way back in dear old Chicago.