Dart begins his letter on a bleak, rainy day. He has watch again today but is looking forward to his watch schedule tomorrow because it’s inside.

The big event today was moving the record player from the ship over to the barracks. Both his floor and the one above have a speaker and they’ve hooked things up so that everyone can hear the records. They’re trying to get caught up on all the stateside music they’ve missed while they’ve been away. A favorite tune is “Sentimental Journey.” It seems like such a sweet and tender song for a group of war-hardened sailors.

He begins the letter anew the following day when he addresses one of Dot’s concerns she mentioned in her August 13 letter. “You asked me not to volunteer for sea duty again,  or to sign over to the regular Navy. Do you think I have holes in my head or something? After the royal dirty deals the Navy’s pulling on us lately, not a single member of the Haggard’s crew would ever sign over unless he was drunk or crazy.”

“Dot, this Navy is the most poorly run, most confused, absolutely discouraging and disgusting organization on the face of the earth. Enough said. …Oh, I hate this outfit! ” (Gee, I bet the censors loved that one, if the censors are still on the job.)

He has liberty tonight and has hopes of calling Dot. He admits there’s no telling what may happen to prevent that. He knows he’s not getting liberty on Sunday, so he won’t be able to call her then, as they had pre-arranged.

“Enough of this ‘loff-making’. I must shove off if I’m ever going to get something to eat. Goodnight, my Darling. This can’t last much longer.”