ISHPEMING — There was a space of over two months between published letters from William Newett. This reflects the fact that Company C of the 107th Engineers (a renaming of their regiment) journeyed across the ocean to England, France and the battlegrounds of World War One.

Father George did not know exactly when his son left or what ship he was on as wartime censorship forbade the release of this information.

We know that William Newett departed Hoboken, N.J. on the 30th of January 1918, thanks to Ancestry and the publication of a Master List from the U.S. Army transport service. The name of the ship was not listed, only a number, however.

The ship SS Tuscania departed from Hoboken on the 24th of January. While it may seem as though the two ships were not connected in any way, the SS Tuscania carried part of the equipment of the 107th.

What is significant is that the SS Tuscania was torpedoed on the 5th of February 2018 and sunk, with the loss of 210 men. For a while it was believed that the men of the 107th were on board the ship and there were anxious times in the city of Ishpeming.

“The upper peninsula will be plunged into the deepest gloom and forebodings this morning by the news of the destruction of the liner Tuscania, with a loss of 267 men, carrying among other Michigan and Wisconsin troops, the First Battalion, 107th Engineers, recruited in the copper country, the iron country and the Soo, with contingents from other parts of the district and Company G, of Houghton, of 32nd division Infantry.” (Mining Journal, February 7, 1918)

Newett’s name was published as were the names of E. Berquist, M. Collick, E. Chapman, R. Dobbs, W. Dobbs, Samuel Gabory, Theodore Keskey, J.W. Leffler, Ino Skytta, John Traise, William Trevarrow Jr, and P. Leninger.

“While the dread news falls with particular weight on Houghton county, Marquette county will wait for the lists with apprehension that it has given some of its best and finest young men to the country’s cause.

On June 30, when the county united in Marquette in farewell to the contingent, it gave to company C, commanding officer the genial Capt. ‘Pat’ Lewis, it bade God speed to over fifty men, thirty-three enlisted in Marquette, thirteen in Ishpeming and seven in Negaunee.” (Mining Journal, February 7, 1918)

“In the excitement and confusion at the war department, attending the giving out of information regarding the sinking of the SS Tuscania, it was thought at first that among the United States outfits aboard the the liner was that known as the 107th Engineers. This report proved incorrect, however, for this organization was not on board the ship.” (Mining Journal, February 8, 1918)

“On Board Ship, Bound for Somewhere. Dear Dad – You know that about all a fellow can tell you is that he is well. The censorship is very rigid and particularly with reference to movements of troops on the water, which is a wise precaution and to which no reasonable man can object. The aim is to win the war and secrecy of movement is one of the elements. It wouldn’t do to bet the Kaiser knew where we were.” (Iron Ore, March 16, 1918)

“From Some Place in France. Dear Dad – This is Sunday, a day of rest in the army unless there is work that must be done. Heat is scarce over here, and I am writing this in a room that is quite chilly, and not conducive to good penmanship. Fuel is scarce and very high in price. However, should be warmer ‘ere long.

I am living with three other master engineers, two of whom are from Wisconsin, the other from Michigan, in the home of a French family, we having been granted permission to leave the place we formerly occupied with the company. At night we study French with the members of the family, and they are trying to learn something of our tongue. In time we should be able to talk and understand at least a little French

Yesterday I made a 90-mile trip in a ford car, visiting two towns on business. It started snowing just after we left here this making the going very bad.

The car, it may be this was an exceptional one, skidded frequently and suddenly, and several times I thought we were going over but, fortunately Elizabeth (He named the car) gathered her legs under her and came back to the perpendicular, and we were delivered safe and sound.

On the way we passed through a long stretch of very fine hardwood, and I could imagine myself back in the Fence Lake district, the trees and the undergrowth being quite similar to that of the upper peninsula of Michigan. I returned home with wet feet, ate supper and to get warm, went to bed. I am feeling fine today and have been well every day since I left home. From present indications I will have considerable traveling to do out of this town.

The French people are certainly fine to us, doing everything they can to aid us in our work, as well as in other ways. They appear to take the war as a business proposition, which does not seem strange after nearly four years of it. I met a French sergeant this morning who had just returned from the trenches and who is going to stay in the same house with us for ten days. We are anticipating some very interesting accounts of his experiences. He has been in the game since the start and has escaped without a scratch despite his numerous very active engagements.” (Iron Ore, March 30, 1918)

“Dear Dad; – I had intended after landing here to get off one letter a week for home, but conditions do not always permit this, and I believe it is at least ten days since last I wrote. I have two letters from you and two Irom Ores. Let me compliment you on these. The Ore seems to have lost none of its wallop, so I take it the editor is feeling pretty well. I have an interesting letter from Congressman Frank James and one from “Dick” hardy, both of which I must answer.

You were looking for a cablegram from me when I was in mid-ocean, but we did not land here so early as you thought. When I get back home, I will tell you the story of the Tuscania and know it will prove interesting to you. The most of the ‘news’ will have to wait until then as censorship leaves one very little to say.

I can let you know the state of my health, wish you good luck and good-bye and that’s about the extent of one’s privileges, so you see letters will have much of a sameness from this side.” (Iron Ore, April 20, 1918)