So we donned our clean blues, and for the first time since May 9th, set foot on solid ground.
As the port watch came over the side the following day, after its liberty ashore, they were met with the order "Shift into working clothes at once and get those shells below." The red ammunition flag was flying at the foremast head, and all thoughts must be given up of the good times ashore.
The starboard watch then went on liberty ashore and the port watch tackled the ammunition.
From noon till after ten, we were kept busy storing thirteen-inch shells for the biggest guns in the navy.

They weigh 1,100 pounds apiece and are dangerous things to handle, not only on account of their weight, but because of the charge of powder each carries.

We also loaded eight, six, and five-inch shells into the after hold.

We turned in at eleven o'clock, and were roused at 3:30 next morning to begin the same heavy work.

When the starboard watch returned the following noon, we were still at it, and they, too, had to pitch in and help as soon as they could get into working clothes.
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were spent in the same way--stowing food for Uncle Sam's mighty guns.
The thirteen-inch shells were crated in heavy planks, bound with iron; slings of rope were placed around them and they were lowered slowly into the hold.