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1909 49 Charlotte St South Shields Sunday July 8 1909 My Dear Boy & Girlie Photos just arrived with your dear letter which we are always eagerly looking for. My word but my grandson puts all the Baby's in the show. he will be fine company he seems such a jolly little chap & looks as if he could pick strawberries & eat them too we always get a good laugh when we look at his photo so what must it be like to know him. That one where he has the flag is fine and looks as if he would fight for it right enough. I like the way he is dressed. He is splendid. I hope Myrtle's brother gets gumption. I don't know how a lot of young fellows get on here. There are such a lot about. That's what we should have done. Had conscription at first instead of all the married men going & leaving their wives and families One ting to be thankful for the war will be over before baby grows up, but I don't think the good times will come again even in his time. But why all the foodstuff should go up so high I cannot tell. Someone is making a pile. They say there is plenty in the country. One thing we are doing now we are cultivating all the spare ground we have. The new potatoes are three pence per # I fancy you would say six cents but beef is 2/2 per #. I am axpecting alecs home for a few days, five I think. He is tired of it all. I wish the long days would stop all the time. I am getting nervous in the dark noght. I am glad Myrtle is keeping better Baby seems to keep strong & healthy. Give Baby a hug and XXX from me. With love my dear Myrtle and Stevie, your loving Mother * * * * * * * * * * * * 1911 Stephen Reay Letters
Kotkar, Finland, S.S. Cairnloch Sunday, June 4th - 1911
My Dear Boy, I am very glad to hear you are getting along O.K. and all married and settled, you must let me know when I arrive at the Dignity of Grandfather, so that I can get a pair of Grams spectacles, I wear glasses now, you know, but they are a swanky pair, I will be glad to hear from you and Myrtle at any time. I may get into a ship coming your way, and give you a look up, you know it is generally the unexpected that happens, that is if I live long enough, I guess and kalkulate!!! I am after a shore job if I can get it, hang the sea. Your Mother and Gertie seem to be a little annoyed with you, my Dear Boy, but it will pass away. Give my love to your wife Myrtle , and with the same yourself, From Your Loving Father With best respects to your Father and Mother in law.
Dorothy Reay Letters
11 Mount Terrace South Shields April 9, 1911 My Dear Boy, What a great Lazy Boy you must be to keep me here all this time without a letter. It is ages since any of us heard from you. Gertie says she thinks you must have forgotten all about her. She has not heard from you for years. I am sending you the latest photo Ales has had taken. I think it very nice. O but though what are you thinking about when a little chap like Billy Deal is second mate of a fine steamer. He is in the same steamer with Alex & my ward he does try to make a man of himself. He is a bright little chap & I don't doubt he will be captain before long. Alex says she is a fine packet & thinks he will stick on her for a while. But my dear boy if you think it to much trouble to send a line occasionally well I suppose I shall just have to submit but for all that I think you very cruel. I don't forget you I assure you Stevie I am as ever Your Loving Mother With lots of love * * * * * * * * * * * * 1912 Stephen Reay Letters
S. S. Cairnalt, Newcastle, Jarrow Buoys Wednesday, April 24th 1912 My Dear Boy, or should I say My Dear Children? Eh, What!! I suppose your Myrtle will feel insulted at being called a child, now she is a married woman, Keep young as long as possible, My Dears, that is my advice. We are here laid up; don’t know when we are going to start again, they have the Boilers all open and doing something to them; we may be here another couple of weeks yet. However, I don’t care, I am on pay, We got your very welcome letter a few weeks ago, my Dear Children, your Mother thinks your hair must be changing colour, it is darker than it used to was, ;aint it; We expect Alex at home in a few days, he is going up for his Chief’s ticket, he intends to graciously accept it, if the Examiners are civil Hoping you and yours are getting along all right, and with love to Myrtle and yourself, My Dear Son, I am Your Loving Father McGinty
Sent to 2513 North 27th Street, Tacoma, Washington:: 11 Mount Terrace South Shields Sunday, Aug 11th, 1912 My Dear Children, I am at home once more for a little while, I have actually had a week end here, and it is very seldom these English Owners give us that chance, they don't seem to be able to go to Church comfortably if they cannot get their ships away on Saturday, I was very glad to get your letter, my boy, and the Photos, they are very nice ones, and glad to hear you are getting along. Alex has gotten his Chief's ticket and he is away 2nd Engineer of a Cargo Boat, I expect he is jolly glad to be done with paning the Board for a while. Gertie is at Scarborough, doing a bit swank, and your little Mother and I are all alone, mit our two selves, again, like a newly married couple, it is great. We are having nasty weather over this side of the world, it is more like winter than summer, we had a nasty, dirty passage from Gib to London, nothing but rain & wind, I wish we could shift thie Glorious Country a bit further South. We expect to get away on Wednesday for Lisbon. Remember me to your Wife, with kindest regards, and same to yourself, my dear boy. I am Your Loving Father
Dorothy Reay Letters
(Probably page 2) I was pleased to hear you had got over your illness so nicely, one thing the Baby does not seem to be troubled with illness he seems such a sturdy little fellow Well I am sending you a photo of my Baby she is a little bit biger than yours I expect you will be like I was the last time I I remember putting Stevie's tie on I had to get on a chair so before very long you will have to do the same with your little Stevie. We are having very dirty weather I close with love to you all with an extra lot for baby Your loving Mother P. S. I am watching the papers very anxiously to see who gets in for president I think Mr. Wilson will be the man what do you think Good night my dear children & God bless you Just received a letter from Alex & he say pleased he was to get baby's photo which you sent him he thinks him fine & a little rip he thinks by the look a of him 1913 S. S. Cairnalt, Riga, Russia Wednesday, Oct 29th 1913. My Dear Son and Daughter, We are just being hustled around in this old ton of scrapiron, we left London last Saturday week, got to Hull Sunday night, left Hull Wednesday morning , and now here we are, nearly half discharged. I expected to find your Mother in Hull when we arrived, but I went ashore looking for her, and she was not there, and on Monday morning at 7.0 am in she walked into my wooden hut gave me quite a severe shock, I was just turning out, pulling my trousers on, when a knock at the door, and I yelled come in; thinking it was the Steward with a cup of tea, and in walked your Little Mother; as large as life, and then I had to send her home on Wednesday morning, if it had been a month or two earlier in the season, I would have taken her the voyage. I was delighted to get a letter from you the other day, my Boy, I may get ut there one of these fine days, now when the Panama Canal is all O.K. and will pop along and see you, and Myrtle, & swap a few yarns with you, eh, what? I calculate we would have a number of yarns to changy for changy. It is getting into the dark days of November over here now, dark from 4.0 pm till 8.0 am. I expect this will be our last trip up the Baltic this this season. I believe we are going to Bilbao afterwards, you see a chap called Bell of Hull has got us time chartered, and his Time is up in December, We have had some big cargoes of wood for him, that is for a small ship like us, twice we have arrived back nearly on our beam ends, they will stick such a big deck cargo on us, The Great Board of Trade, one of the mighty bulwarks of our Great and Glorious, and, alas, also rotten Empire, ought to put a stop to deck cargoes, but there are too many Ship Owners in authority I suppose; I wish I had a little say in the matter, I would absquatulate a few of them. We expect to get away from here in a day or so, and expect to go up to the North part of Finland, up the North Quargen, I hope we will not run foul of the North Pole . I send you and Myrtle my very best of good wishes, my Dear Boy, at all times, and if we don’t happen to meet again it cannot be helped. With love to Myrtle and Yourself, I am, Your Loving Father Gertie calls me the Little Black Imp. 1914 Stephen Reay Letters
11 Mount Terrace South Shields Monday Oct 5th 1914 My Dear Boy, We are having high old times on this side of the herring pond, they are going to wipe England, France, Russia and Belgium off the map, I don't think, what? I wonder what the Kaiser thinks of England's contemptible little army now. We have been on Government charter this last two months, carrying coals for the Fleet, we have just finished, and are now loading for Antwerp. I hope we will not come across any Germhuns, or mines or anything startling, as my nerves are not very strong but my fingers would be strong enough if I could manage to get the Kaiser or the Crown Prince by the windpipe, or any other of the German Brutes. I wish it was settled, and the Kaiser and all his family either shot or strung up. I got Home on Saturday night at 7:00 pm and am going on board at 6:00pm tonight, so I have had a great week and I hope you and Myrtle are keeping well. with love to you both, I am Your Loving Father
S.S. 11 Mount Terrace South Shields Sunday, Oct 25th 1914 My Dear Boy, We are still on top, by the mercy of the Dear Kaiser; we had a couple of months easy work coaling the fleet and then we were finished, and now we are in the London coal trade; we have done two trips, and I am just about fed up with it. I have a good mind to jimigrate to Tacoma out of the war. I am beginning to think the Germans are in a hole, although, mind you they have put up a good fight, against so many. They will soon be getting what they deserve, the Cowardly Brutes, and the sooner the better. We are all well up to now; Alex is Engine Room Artificer in H. M. S. Russell, and he seems pretty comfy. I expect you and Myrtle & all your numerous family are all well, Gertie says if you don't squat right down and write to her just once, she will come and absquatulate you, so there. With love for Myrtle & yourself I am, Your Loving Father
Dorothy Reay Letters
49 Charlotte St South Shields July 4th 1914 My Dear Stepie Myrtle & Baby I expect you will be having some great to to day I never forget your great independence day But how is my grandson getting on I have not heard anythin about him for quite a long time you know I am always wondering about him I think we are getting on fine here with potatoes patches now you see, they have been so scarse that every one is trying to grow them all the spare ground is full of potatoes now so I don't think we shall be short next year I could not buy one for weeks not be had for love nor money, Would you believe it we had a Baby show today but I did not think much of the Babys I saw it was a poor show & the weather was cold for the little things you see it is the first one we had may be better next year But how is your garden getting on I expect you will be experts by now Alec expects to get a few days leave shortly he is sick 7 tired of the whole show hoping to hear from you soon my dear children With love to you all I am as ever Your loving Mother * * * * * * * * * * * * 49 Charlotte St South Shields October 3/ 1914(?) My Dear Children I have been thinking quite a lot about you lately. I hope Myrtle & the little man is quite well. My little grandson birthday is not far of I hope you get this before that great day my word he is getting quite a man & I have not seen the dear boy yet, wlee, I have not given up hope yet of taking tea with you. Ales has had five days at home he says they go to quickly Gertie has had a week's holiday started school this morning my word what a change in the weather last monday was very hot now today is as cold as xmas. Mind you gave the baby a hug & xxxxfrom us all in England I am sending you a copper to buy dear little grandson something for his birthday hope you get this before that great day I am still hoping to come to your house to my Tea so look out With lots of love from all I am as ever your loving Mother * * * * * * * * * * *
Alex Reay Letters
S/S Moorlands Rosario June18th 1914 Dear Myrtle Well, and how are you and Steve getting along all this long while, it seems to be years since I heard from you last, I don't know whether its my turn to write, or not, or why you haven't written, but its very unkind and wrong of you, so there and just you wait till I do knock at your door , (and I hope to one fine day) and then I will be telling you what I think I think of your conduct. You will notice I have changed my ship for a trip or two, we are loading grain here for some of the home ports, and by the way my heart nearly stopped the first day with pleasure the first day we were here, as the rumuor came aboard that all the ships were loading for U.S.A. some to New York & some Frisco and so they are all except this old hooker, unfortunately, but never mind I will be up your coast some day even if I have to pay my fare. How is your garden getting on now, I would just like to be sitting under one of the pear trees now, eating nuts eh! Well you can give Steve a thick ear for me for not writing, and hoping you are both in the pink of health I will conclude love Alec * * * * * * * * * * * * 1915 Stephen Reay Letters
sent to Mr. Stephen A Reay 3615 North Huron Street Tacoma Washington S. S. Cairnloch, Rouen, France Thursday, June 17 1915 My Dear Son and Daughter, We are still at gripps with the enemy, worse luck, we arrived in HavreRoads on the 7th and we are not in our discharging berth yet, there are quite a lot of Ships here my children; ahem!!! I had your Mother at Methel in Fifeshire a couple of weeks ago, and we enjoyed our little selves immensely; we had fine weather, and Methel has one whole street, so there was not much fear of our losing ourselves; I have not been to Tyne for some time now, three trips; about nine or ten weeks, Alex is still at Chatham, I think. How are you and your Family getting along, you must let me know when I have to put the Grandfather's cap on, and then I will feel as proud as anything. I hope your country will be able to keep out of the shindy. I have not seen your big, little sister for quite a while now. She bosses me around when I am at Home, you see I have two women to Boss me now. I have a terrible life, I assure you, I think I will have to run out to Tacoma for protection. It will be a treat when we get away on our regular runs again, Monkey Nuts, Copper ore &c. I like the Monkey Nut trade best, away into warm weather,on the West Coast of Africa among the Coloured Ladies and Gentlemen, and discharge in France. The Baltic is rather nice in summer, daylight all night, but the summer does not last long enough, the Baltic is not a dandy place in winter at all. Well, my Children, I hope everything will go all right, and you will be a Proud and Happy Father, and I will be a Prouder and Happier Grandad; and your mother will be the Proudest and Happiest Grandmommie, so we will all bee proud together. Hoping to hear the best of good news, and with love to Myrtle & yourself I am Your Loving Father
S.S. Cairnloch, Rouen, France Thursday, July 15th 15 My Dear Children, I hope you are getting along all right, as we are in the Old Country, but you may possibly object to being called children; now that you are the parents of a Bouncing Baby; so I will have to be careful, We are still going along in the usual humdrum style, carrying coals to France, from England & Scotland. Of course, you will have heard all the news up to date, so it will be no use my saying anything; anyhow, the Censor would chalk it out. Alex is still at Chatham, connected with the Navy, he seems to be doing repair work on ships, working at his trade. I had your little Mother at Leith two weeks ago, it was only for 24 hours though, and your mother was rather disappointed it was so short. I will not say anymore now, my dears, I wish you every happiness and prosperity, as you know, and all the good things of life. With love to you and Myrtle and the child, I am, Your Loving Father, The Proud and Happy Grandad. Dorothy Reay Letters
11 Mount Terrace South Shields May 26th/1915 My Dear Daughter We received your welcome letter yesterday and I am very pleased to hear the good news it contained that you are preparing for the new arrival sure we are just as pleased as you and Stevie are. But whatever you do do not get to anxious and it will be all the better for your dear self. Myrtle I know you will be counting the days but it is surprising how quickly the time gets over. I am glad your mother will be able to be with you. I would like very much to be there too but you know you live such a long way from 11 Mount Terrace. Gertie is quite delighted with the prospect of being an Auntie. We just got a letter from Alex this morning and he says he may get home this week end. He is not very sure about it. He is still working at Chatham. I am in the midst of through cleaning, we are having very fine weather here just what I like not to hot. How are your strawberries coming on. Gertie says she will just pop over after tea and have a look at them. I close with best love to you both my dear children I am as ever Your loving Mother P. S. S at France just now la la * * * * * * * * * * * *
49 Charlotte Street South Shields Oct 12/15 My Dear Girlie, We are getting very anxious now that the time is getting short for you hoping you will have a good time. sorry I can’t be with you my dear. But mind whatever you do do not be in a hurry to get up and about, just let everything go for a time and you will be much better for it. You can tell Stevie that I have just got word that Maggie Alderson has got a little son last Saturday, She is now Mrs. Colman. We are having very fine weather for October just like the summer, but still some people will have their Furs on I don’t know how they carry them With love from Gertie I am as ever your loving Mother P. S. I am glad America has been able to keep out of the war so far I wish it was over We are always collecting for something on Saturday last week it was the motor ambulance we are trying to get two motor car’s the collection came to about Two hundred not so bad. It is very gloomy here after dark, the shops mostly have black blinds and not a single light in the streets I am afraid to go out The people seem to be more extravagant than ever I don’t know where some people get the lovely Fur Coats from they are costly here. Well hoping to hear good news shortly your loving Mother 1916 Stephen Reay Letters
S.S. Cairnloch, Calais, France Monday, May 29 1916 My Dear Children, How are you getting along this long while; you must know I have been in the Tyne and I never got a chance to go on shore to see Aunty Gertie; We went right up to a place called Derwenthaugh, away above Dunston, and as we had the crew loading the ship, I did not have any time to go anywhere; I sent down and got Grandma on board, we arrived there on last Monday night, your Mother came up on Tuesday forenoon and we got away on Wednesday afternoon so I had no spare time. And how is my Grandson Stephen Atkinson the Third. I would like to see you all; but it is rather too far to come for a weeend, what? I expect you have almost forgotten about dirty Shields now, but it is very much improved since you left, my boy. I wish this confounded kick up was finished, and the Germans all buried; With love to you all, my Children, I am Your Loving Father, I feel quite Venerable now that I am a Grandfather of such a fine, big boy. Letter sent to Mr. Stephen A Reay 3615 North Huron Street Tacoma Washington S.S. Cairnloch, Rouen, France Thursday, July 20th _16 My Dear Kiddies, It is quite a while since I wrote you, the last time we were here they did hustle us out, two days, I had not time for anything, and when I was at home I had no time, they are keeping us busy. We are having a little fine weather just now, my children, for a day or so, if we get a couple of days fine we get a week bad to make up for it. I saw the last Photo of my Grandson when I was at Home last, my word, he is a fine Boy, just his Father over again, only more so. We are getting along quite O. K. over here I think; pushing ahead on all sides; You would get a Photo of your little Sister; I want your Mother to have one taken of her, but I have not got her persuaded yet. With best wishes regards &c &c for Myrtle, the Boy, and yourself my Dear Boy, I am Your Loving Father
Dorothy Reay Letters 49 Charlotte St South Shields Oct 30th/1916 My Dear Myrtle And so tomorrow is my dear little Grandson's birthday & he has not seen Grandma Reay yet, now that is really to bad dont you think so & my word what pretty haie he has. we are quite in love with him for all we have not seen him. You & Stevie will have to give him an extra hug or two with kisses from us. I hope you are going to elect Mr Wilson again I would not like to see you brought into this awful War I think there are plenty...........up ? now .........that the long nights are here...............not safe to go out after dark;;;;;;;;;are darker than ever, the..........early shopping has to be..........dark, except Saturday
Alex Reay Letters
Letter Postmarked Aug 4, 1916 (with enclosure) HMS Daffodil c/o GPO London Dear Myrtle, They sent your letter on to me, and also the cuttings, and I say, the boy is some kid alright, and they are as proud of him at home as if he was in Shields instead that place in America. I expect his father, (not to mention his mother) are rather proud of him eh! He looks like his father in the face don't he. So the war is reaching even your place eh. I jolly well wish this one was finished, two years is quite long enough for me to be in uniform Well hoping this finds you all in the pink I'll conclude Alec PS How's the garden getting on now. * * * * * * * * * * * *
H.M. S. Russell Nov 10th 1916
My Dear Mother I Got your welcome letter this morning alright, and I expect you will have got mine alright before this. Oh by the way do you remember seeing in the Sketch before I left home, about about those rubber sausages to blow up and put round your neck to keep you afloat in the water, well they have just served us all with one each ready for any emergency and they are all right, better than the old fashioned life belt, I have mine in my pocket now. Has pa gone round the Bristol Channel this time for a change, I reckon it will be safer round there anyhow. Wednesday I started this letter last night but had to knock off to go up and get what they call our winter clothing, we got a storm cap, (you know what pa wears with pieces to come round the ears) two pair woollen gloves and two pairs of woollen underpants, and we have a jersey and sox to come yet, so I reckon we should be warm enough eh! this winter . This noble ship is part of the grand fleet, she is a battleship carrying 12" guns and a crowd of smaller ones, I haven't seen the big guns fire yet, but one nighe I was walking along the deck, when all of a sudden there was a flash and a bang for about every ten seconds till about a dozen shells had had a smack at a target, I can tell you I dashed round expecting to see a German battle-ship sinking, but no such luck it was only a wooden raft with a sail up, we have some of the best gunners in the navy here, its simply great to watch them firing all round the wee raft, and wishing I expect that it was a German. I don't know about the Superb, but we get absolutely the latest news by wireless every day, and its typed and put on the table every morning , and in port we can buy the days newspaper aboard the ship and the Sketch as well.We are still here under two hours notice to sail, but of course we may stay another week for all that. well hoping you are all well I'll conclude with love "Geordie" (as they call me here) PS They are always coming round to me and saying "Hello, hinnie * * * * * * * * * * * * 1918 Some Ship, Some where in Norway, Tuesday, April 23rd 18. My Dear Children, I have had another short spell in the Dirty Tyne, we were discharging general cargo at New Castle Quay, three days and eight days loading ask Grandson how many days that makes. The powers that be will not allow any of our dearies on board ship now, your little Mother does not like that, she always enjoyed herself onboard Ship, and of course I used to like to have her with me, the only chance I have of seeing your mother & Gertie now are when we get to the Tyne; which is not very often. We dropped into a beastly northerly gale this time coming across we had rather a a lively time for about 36 hours, we managed to get to over it; I suppose you will be quite a family man now, my boy; what? A son & daughter. I wish you all every kind of prosperity & and happiness, my Dear Kiddies, With love to you all, I am, Your Loving Father
Letter sent to Mr. Stephen A Reay 3615 North Huron Street Tacoma Washington with censor stamp on envelope Same Ship, Somewhere Sunday June 9th 18 My Dear Kiddies, How are youu all getting on now, we have not had any news from you lately , and your and your little Mother & big sister are growing anxious, wondering what is the matter Letter often go astray just now, so it is to be hoped everything is all right , my boy We are having a hustling time over here, they keep us paddling round from one place to another, we have not much spare time. I had no time to write you from Norway as they were working night & day, we just had to sleep when we got the chance; this is an awful pen We are having quite warm weather here now, I am going to have your mother here with me tomorrow, and a few days after I hope Hoping you are all getting along all right & with love to you all I am Your Loving Father Ye Old Sea Dog Dorothy Reay Letters
49 Charlotte St South Shields May 26th/1918 My Dear Myrtle Whatever is the matter I am very anxious to know never had a letter from you since little Myrtle came & only one from Stevie telling me of babys arrival in Feb that is a long time now you know The mails are arriving here quite alright, you see. I thought perhaps they were not Well do just let me have a line from some of you I'm anxiously waititng Your Loving Mother Gertie has been looking for a Photo you know Gertie & I send our best love to all Your loving mother Alex wishes the War was over to get home once Did you get Baby's frock which I sent three months ago or more 1919 Dorothy Reay Letters 49 Charlotte Street South Shields Jan 2nd/19 My Dear Boy & Girlie We received your very pretty Xmas cards & I think you must have better choice over there, certainly they are very much nicer than we get here & the did laugh at that one the Boy sent to Grandpa it was funny My word I think you will always have plenty of work waiting that Big boy & the dear little Girl you say the girl is not as big as the boy why judging from the Photo I would have thought Baby was the biggest my arms just ache sometimes just wishing I could get hold of the dear little thing gave them a good hug from me Oh but Stevie you remember little Billie Deal he was a lecturer down at Glasgow for the g-- p-- well poor little chap he took Flu & died I was sorry when I heard it he was a (left margin) smart little chap he used to tell me how he would wait for you to go ashore down at T --outh because the tide was so strong I close with best wishes for the New Year your loving Mother (right margin) I hope baby’s got their parcel
(letter torn) 49 South Shields April 29/19 My Dear Myrtle, How does it happen that I have not heard from you since little Myrtle came I am getting quite anxious wondering if you are well I hope you have not had any back cast tell that big husband of yours to send me a line at once if not sooner I hope you get the Baby’s coat Frock alright you see we have to send things at our own risk. they will not register them now. I think you should have received it before this Just let ....have a P.C. saying you are ....ell that will do you know.......difference another baby makes ...... With love.... Children for (in margins) I expect you will be very proud of your little girl I know I was Gertie sends lots of love & XXX to you all she says she wants to know the baby’s name
1919 Alex Reay Letters
S/S "Herald" Abadan Dec 22nd /19 Dear Myrtle Well how are all you people getting along now eh, now that the war is over, as you will see by the address I am finished with the "King's Navee" now and am back in the old merchant service & jolly glad too. You can jog Steve's elbow & tell him he is not the only married man in the family now, as I got the golden knot tied before I left home, I just did it quietly at the registry office, with mother & the kid (Gertrude) to assist me, and now I am out here for three years worse luck, but its nor so bad as I have got a start as chief engineer in the company & they are a big firm. Tell Steve I nearly sailed second in one of his old ships, the oil tank "Aras", she is out here. Well how are all the wee family, all well I hope, but I expect young Steve is not so wee now, eh? Well hoping you have enjoyed your Xmas and New Year I think I will conclude Love Alec PS The address is S/S "Herald" c/o A.P.O.C. Abadan Persian Gulf You see we are up in Mesopotamia now, a steady month's run from Canny Shields * * * * * * * * * * * * 1920 S S Capelbay, West Woolwich Buoys, London Monday June 14th 1920 My Dear Kiddies, We are having a high old bungling time over here in this obsolete Old Country, I think the folks that have charge of the Government machinery are all Balmy. We are in the London Coal trade now, as they have restricted the export. We are all fed up with it, from Lunderland to London, and I have not time to get home from Linderland, I would rather be in the Bristol Channel. I am afraid the ship is going to be sold, to Swansea Owners, if she is I hope the new Owners will keep us on; I don't want to be out of a ship just now, things are very slack in our line. I hope the Amurrican Family of the Clan Reay are all getting on all right. It is quite a while since I heard from you, my Boy. I have just been on an American Steamer called Oskana of Frisco, so I thought you might know her, what? I suppose we will manage to muddle through in this rotten old country, we are certainly in a bad state at present. Hoping for better times, my boy, and with love to you all I am Your Loving Father
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