My great-grandmother, Harriet
While at my aunt’s house last spring we had the opportunity to look over some family photos, letters, and notes found among some of my great aunt’s things discovered after her recent death. This was a very special time spent with my family as my grandmother reminisced over the people and memories found in the photos. One of the items my aunt discovered was a poem written by my great-grandmother, dated November 11, 1918 – Armistice Day (later to be renamed Vetran's Day).
Apparently, my great grandparents and their 5 children (with one on the way) were enroute from India to the United States for a furlough after having served for several years as missionaries in Northern India. They had taken a train from India to China, and from there traveled to Hong Kong. They then boarded the ship Korea Maru, a Japanese ocean liner which would stop in Japan on its way home to the United States.
The Korea Maru (from the collection of Björn Larsson)
This voyage home was a frightening endeavor for this family. Not only was it to be a long trip on rough seas, but the United States was embroiled in World War I and there was imminent danger with ocean travel during this time. Ocean mines had been planted in the Atlantic by Axis forces and there was the fear that there may have been some planted in the Pacific as well. So it was with much uncertainty and apprehension that my great-grandparents made this journey home. When they arrived in the Japanese harbor, they were greeted with the best news they could receive. The war was over! There was much exuberance and celebration and sighs of relief for the passengers on board the ship. It was with this sentiment that my great-grandmother penned the following poem entitled the Korea Maru:
The Korea Maru, a Japanese liner, from the Hong Kong shore pulled away.
Through Pacific’s Blue waters, northward
her steady directed course lay.
Round the world there had been fearful fighting
with the cannon, and bombs, and dread gun.
While out in the ocean, Atlantic
Gruesome work of hid mines had been done.
Would we reach our loved home ‘cross the waters?
Would we reach dear America’s shore?
Our great sturdy ship plowed the water
of coal and of food stuffs we had store.
At last in the Japanese harbor
our anchor was dropped in the sea.
While forebodings of unseen evil
gave place to shoutings of glee.
From the shore o'er the water came sounding
a noise as of whistle and gong
While the guns and the crackers exploding,
gave noise to all of the throng.
‘Tis the sound of rejoicing and gladness.
The people have gone wild they say.
For by cable had come the glad message
of the peace armistice signed today.
In the evening on board the great liner
small flags of the nations they place
With Japanese, the French, the Italian, the Brittish and Old Glory
the tables they grace.
‘Twas festive indeed that occasion
confetti and crackers and fun.
While mid colorful flags of the nations
they rejoiced that the dread war was done.
November eleventh’s the great day
when round the world the news ran
that Germany and other nations
had signed, had signed the peace plan.
My great-grandparents did make it safely to America’s shores. Unfortunately, they never returned to India. Shortly after arriving, my great-grandfather fell victim to the swine flu epidemic of 1918-1919 and died from double pneumonia. This left my great-grandmother a pregnant widow, with five children to raise on her own. At 93, my grandmother is the only one living now. She is the one pictured below with her mother’s hand resting on her shoulder.
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