Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
158559291
label
Transcript of Letter from Katherine Fite to Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Fite
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
158559291
contentType
document
title
Transcript of Letter from Katherine Fite to Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Fite
citationUrl
collections
Katherine Fite Lincoln Papers
Correspondence Files
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
158559291
levelOfDescription
item
productionDates
day
14
logicalDate
1945-07-14
month
7
year
1945
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
37247c2ad8a3dc3c
ocrText
To be mailed in London
Saturday P.M. Etuly 14,1945]
Prestwick, Scotland
Dearest Ma & Pa,
17 3/4 hours Washington to Prestwick, Scotland where now
I am. I.E: I arrived here at 4:45 A.M. & am still here, waitinga plane to
London. I am looking out at the Irish Sea & further up is the Firth of
Clyde.
The log for the trip is uneventful.I sat, as you saw, over the wing -
no one beside me so I could stretch out at night a la day coach. what
a
with the vibration % roar of the motor- converstion is difficult. That
plus the altitude, I suppose, made me squeamish. Well as I know the count-
ry side- I just couldn't recognixe cities and rivers- one's time sense is
confused. Sitting over the wing my view was impaired anyway. They say we
went right over Manhattan, but I missed it. They servei a good hot meal -
meat hamburger. Then it got roughish (over Maine or Canada) * I got
sick
& lost` my lunch. Then I went to sleep to woke up only as we appraoched New-
foundland. Down there at about fife at Stephenville- s' west corner. Ex-
actly half an hour there to wash & get supper. A large, bleak air base.
After leaving there we flew about an hour over land- wild - primitive
lakes & mountains. Ten out to sea & I tried to go to sleep. Too squeam-
ish to read or smoke. Slept until 1 when I watched the sun rise. Ah, I
thought - the land of the midnight sun. Till I remembered we were flying
east - one must add 4 or 5 hours to the time. Thereafter we were over
clouds entirely. It's weird & fantastic. Cometimes huge white mountains
loom near you - someti es thy're on the horizon- across a flat sea of
cloudd Everywhere a huge white & grey field- like a glacier. As though
the earth had an outer coating of cotton batting. I began to wonder how
we'd get down through it. We were at 9000 feet in the bright sunshine.
but lo Re behold when we reached our destination there was a little hole
in the clouds over the field & down we spiralled. And that was that. The
officersx that processed me at the field produced an item in Stars and
Stripes announcing that I was coming. I can probably get a copy in London.
The London plane was just going out- so we missed it & will* go out at six
(their time, double summer time, i.e. add six to yours). I was told a
cable would go quicker from London so will try to get one off tonight.
After going thro immigration & customs was jeeped into Prestwick to a Red
Cross club where I got a room & slept for 2 hours, after having dinner.
"ill shortly be called for now to return to plane. Am very glad of the
slacks - warm & easy to kick around in. Maybe I can chan/e into dress at
airpot at London. Devoutly trust someone will have a room ready for me.
This must be a summer resort - there is a sea wall down which I see pro-
menaders. A soldier is sitting next to me struggling with English coins &
dial telephones. So far the Army* & Red Cross have done well & cordially &
I am glad I came if just to see things. Do write & tell me your Washington
trip didn't wear you out. Take it easy to be ready for my homecoming. My
travel orders, had I read them, say civilians using APO do not get free
mailing privileges- so that ought to mean you pay regular rates.
All my love,
Titter
7-14-45. Arrived London. Met. Everyone good to me & called me, inc. the
Justice. will try to get cable off (Sun.) but thingsm closed. Staying
Cumberland Hotel.
TRIMAN
RECORDS
ADMIN."