May 25, 1898 Frank to Cressida - SF Harbor

Envelope has return address:
F.B. Hamlin
1st Lieut & act'g. Adj.
2d Ore. Infy. U.S.V.
Manila P.I.
U.S.A.

Stamped:
[Soldier's Mail
W.S. Gilbert.
Chaplain 2nd Oregon]

Addressed to:
Mrs. F. B. Hamlin
Roseburg,
Oregon.
U.S.A.
------------------------------------------------
San Francisco Harbor
Wednesday Morning
(8 o'clock) May 25, 1898

Dear Cressie, Virgil & Nellis,

We are on board the steamer Australia lying just off from Pier No 7 Oceanic Wharf in Bay of San Fran. We came to wharf from Presidio, yesterday morning, started about 8 and arrived at 9-30. Loading of stores and troops was finished at about 4-30 and the boat moved out a few hundred yards and is now at anchor along side the City of Peking and City of Sidney. The Charleston and Monterey are to escort us. It is believed now by many of the officers that we will stop at the Sandwich Islands for some time.

The Charleston & Monterey are already outside the harbor. We expect to start in a few hours. A few more stores to load.

Quarters for officers & men are very comfortable.

The ship is one of the largest and best of the Spreckles passenger steamers.

The bay is quite calm but several have been sea-sick already. Don't know whether I will be seasick or not; will know later.

Each Capt. and his Lieut has a state room to themselves. Good berths. Plenty of bedding

[Assume letter is missing a page or pages; Frank usually closed with a tender message to his wife & a signature.]