On July 4, the Pacific Queen and her crew of experienced sailors - Captain Moyes and his son, 2 mates and the Kissingers - the Sea Scouts, and Fritz set off for Cedros Island, off the west coast of Baja California. While on board, Fritz took some pictures during the few times that he wasn't on duty.
A neat shot up the rigging of the center mast. I'll bet that my grandpa really wanted to climb up there, but as Mrs. Kissinger said in her letter, he wasn't allowed because of his 'disability' - he wore glasses.
This appears to be three destroyers or military ships of some kind, with another smaller boat. Since the Pacific Queen stuck to the shipping lanes, seeing ships like this during the trip wouldn't have been uncommon.
Cedros Island, Mexico
Several days later, they arrived at Cedros Island. Their original purpose was to capture sea lions to use for exhibition back in California. However, according to the ship's history I linked to on the previous page, that did not go well.
"The first bull they tried to snare in a chicken wire net charged right through it on his way to the shelter of the sea, almost trampling a young sea scout who happened to be in his path. This was enough for Frank [Kissinger]. He had no intention of risking the boys any further, and immediately announced that the expidition was over."
They didn't head for San Diego right away, though. They spent a couple of weeks cruising around, exploring the island and the lower part of Baja California.
Here is another of Fritz's pictures. It's a bit blurry, but I think it is Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger with two baby sea lions.
August 4
After a month at sea, Fritz was able to write a letter home. It seemed that the excitement of the trip was wearing off a little!
Caught in the Doldrums
While the trip down to Cedros Island only took a few days, they weren't so lucky on the way back. When Grandpa told me this story, he said they got caught in the 'doldrums' - an area with very little wind but prone to storms. That's bad news for a sailing ship. According to the ship's history:
"First they were hit by the tail end of a hurricane, then by five days of dead calm. When the wind returned it was from the north, and stayed there." The ship was running low on supplies and had to flag down other ships in order to get more. Early in September, one of the crew used the radio to send Morse Code messages to area ships. In the morning several Coast Guard cutters had arrived with more food, and one of the ships took letters back to port. Many of the boys took the opportunity to write home, and the letters caused a real stir! Worried parents were contacting government officials to get help for their sons. Fritz was not one of the boys who sent a letter at this time, but somehow Mrs. Bangerter heard of the ship's run of bad luck. A Naval officer, Lt. Ward Hardman, wrote a letter to Fritz's mother to reassure her. Fritz was also able to get a letter off a few days later.
September 3
From Lt. Hardman
September 5
"All we get aboard this tub is beans and more beans, it is really 'hell.'"
On July 4, the Pacific Queen and her crew of experienced sailors - Captain Moyes and his son, 2 mates and the Kissingers - the Sea Scouts, and Fritz set off for Cedros Island, off the west coast of Baja California. While on board, Fritz took some pictures during the few times that he wasn't on duty.
