Weighed Anchor & still hugging coast line of Mindanao. 700 to 900 Nips in att. hole. No wonder our crowded conditions. (Note-forward gun mount reputed to be a wooden gun only-there is no gun crew for greased since we have been aboard.) I wonder who they are fooling.
2:00 p.m.
In Cotobato Gulf. Still hugging shore. This ship was the S. S. Kearny: We call it the ‘Benjo Maru’ Morale & Spirit of these men on board remarkably good. We have been through so much that we got aclimated to most any conditions soon. Nearly everyone hopes to got sunk by the Americans. No one is worried, and each is willing to take his chances. Just got through shaving. I work give a months pay for a bath now. Holed up at Perange.