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The diary of Fred Teach
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By Tom Stafford,
Staff Writer
9:12 PM Sunday, August 16, 2009
In August of 1953, Fred Teach became one of the “Seagoing Cowboys” of The Brethren Church, voluntarily accompanying heifer cows to Germany to help the people rebuild their agricultural stocks and feed themselves following the devastation of World War II.
A member of the Donnels Creek Church of the Brethren in Clark County, he kept a journal on his trip. Here is a transcript.
Sunday Aug. 9, 1953
Arrived at New Windsor (Maryland) 4:30 this p.m. Trip on the bus was without incident except stood up for first 50 miles and had to change buses on road at 12 o’clock last night. Broke down. One hundred German students here preparing to go back this week. My passport here O.K. Have met several people whom I have been acquainted with. Will go to bed early tonight. A good place to eat and sleep.
Hard to think that this was Sunday. First Sunday without services for I don’t know when.
Aug. 10 Monday. Good morning. A good night’s sleep does much for one. Sitting looking out this window I can see a beautiful picture — mountains which must be 15 or 20 miles away. I can see well-kept homesteads as far as 5 miles all around the valley.
Evening — Did not do much today. Received some instructions, made a few purchases, did some writing and ate, slept and rested.
Called at the home of Ruth Anna Hoff B.V.S. (Bretheren Volunteer Service) worker in Kentucky this evening. Called home a few minutes ago. All O.K. I feel fine.
Aug. 11. Tuesday. Left New Windsor this morning at 7 in the center’s station wagon. Brought our baggage, halters and salt for the cattle. Got to N.Y. at noon. Heifers came about 2 p.m. Had them all on board in a little while. Plenty of room, plenty of hay, grain and straw. Water is handy. Five of us to care for them.
Three young men are going to Germany to work there in alternative service. Mr. Jones from Iowa and myself. Tonight we all went to Radio City Music Hall. Ha have a very nice cabin. Had a good supper on board. Feel fine. My ball point ran dry.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Goodbye little old New York. Left at 6 o’clock this morning Very interesting to see one of these large ships leave port. Was very beautiful as we steamed down Hudson River and the sun was coming up over the New York skyline. We docked at Brooklyn Navy Yard for more cargo at 7:30 (spent rest of day on board) Plenty of time to write, read, rest and do nothing. Have plenty of good food to eat. Cattle are doing O.K. I feel fine. Sent a batch of mail off this evening with crew.
Our ship is the American Importer.
Thursday, Aug. 13
Left Brooklyn this morning at 6 o’clock Came across the harbor to another army pier and loaded more army supplies. More than 100 trailers, trucks, cars and oil trucks, one of them weighed nearly 15 tons. Put this stuff on deck right above our peace heifers. Two armies on board — one’s aim is to tear down, the other to build up. Our little cargo only occupies a small amount of space, but has great possibilities. “Cast they bread upon the waters, etc. I feel fine.
Friday, Aug. 14
Put out to sea last night about 10:30. I stood on the bridge deck and watched the skyline and the Statue of Liberty fade out in the distance. I stood there for perhaps an hour alone, meditating and thinking and praying. It may sound insignificant, but I think that that will probably be a high spot in this trip. We have been sailing steadily all day.
A strong wind has blown all day, with occasional rain. The sea is rough but beautiful. The magnificence and the handiwork of God. The cattle are doing well. I feel fine.
Saturday, Aug. 15
Just another day and a rough one. The chairs wanted to walk around in our room, and my watch walked off the desk and now it won’t run. The wind began to blow harder last night and blew a gale all day. Mr. Ickes did not get down to the heifer. As i writ this my chair wants to go with me on it. Words cannot express the beauty of the sea with these waves rolling and breaking and foaming furiously. I steered this ocean liner for 20 minutes this afternoon in this sea. Nothing to it. Cattle are O.K. suffer some with the heat. I had a slight attack of indigestion today, ate cucumbers and peanuts. Feel fine now.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Not so rough today. Weather is pretty hot on account of the Gulf Stream. In another day or so, they say we will be out of that and then will be cooler. Cattle suffered today because of the heat. We help them all we can. We five had a little service in our room this forenoon. Mr. Ickes was the teacher. I watered the heifers at 2 this p.m., so I did not need to go down this evening. After supper I sat up on the bridge deck for four hours. Just came down, 9:30. I feel fine. Had roast turkey, cranberry sauce for dinner today.
Monday, Aug. 17
Much cooler today. Sea is calm. At noon today we were 1,328 miles from New York, 2,364 miles to go yet. One cannot imagine what 3,60 miles of water is without seeing it. We travel steady at about 15 mph, never stop or slow down. Heifers are all O.K. We have been expecting a new calf for last two days. Not here yet. Everyone on board keeps asking if we have any calves yet. This crew have taken lots of them over. It was foggy last night, so the whistle blew every minute for several hours. Saw some large porpoises today. Lots of flying fish. Had a slight headache today. Better now.
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7:38 PM, 8/17/2009
11:26 AM, 8/17/2009