Lester E. Bick Letters, 1918-1919: Finding Aid
Published in 1993
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 278
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Lester E. Bick Letters
- Dates: 1918-1919
- Size: 0.1 linear feet
- Container Summary: 3 folders
- Creator: Bick, Lester E.
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: The Lester E. Bick Letters were written by Bick to his sister, Mrs. Marie Hemminger, while he was serving aboard the troop transport U.S.S. Mount Vernon during the closing days of World War I. The letters include descriptions of everyday shipboard life, as well as specific events, such as the torpedoing of Mount Vernon by German ships, and second hand accounts of U.S. soldiers being ordered to bayonet German prisoners of war.
Biography of Lester E. Bick
Lester E. Bick was an enlisted sailor in the United States Navy during World War I. During the War, Bick served aboard the troop transport U.S.S. Mount Vernon, which transported American soldiers between New York and Brest. While Bick was serving aboard Mount Vernon, she was torpedoed by German submarine U-82, but managed to return to port under her own power.
Description of Contents
The Lester E. Bick Letters, 1918-1919, consist of nineteen signed, holographic letters and two related U.S. Navy Special Orders. The letters were written by Lester E. Bick, a U.S. Navy enlisted man, to his sister, Mrs. Marie Hemminger. The collection covers the time period of 27 February 1918 through 16 May 1919.
The letters begin with Bick in the New York area, anticipating a new Naval assignment. In May of 1918, Bick wrote of being assigned to the U.S. Navy steamer Mount Vernon. Among the topics discussed by Bick are the Mount Vernon's transport trips, the torpedoing of the Mount Vernon by a German submarine, accounts by U.S. Army soldiers of officer-ordered bayoneting of German prisoners of war, Boston's celebration of the peace declaration, and the transport of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels and other notables. Many of the letters also focus on matters such as Bick's personal interests and leisure-time amusements and his attempts to procure an early release from the Navy.
Arrangement
The Lester E. Bick Letters are arranged chronologically into a single series with no subdivisions.
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Lester E. Bick Letters are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Purchased from The Patchy Fog in March 1992. Accession No.92-17.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
There are no other known collections of papers of Lester E. Bick.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Lester E. Bick Letters, MS 278
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1993. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1993 and revised by David D'Onofrio in November 2013.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Bick, Lester E.
- Mount Vernon (Steamer)
- Sailors -- United States -- Correspondence
- United States. Navy -- Transport service
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations, American
Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts
Contents List
Lester E. Bick Letters, 1919 February-May
Includes discussions of transporting French minesweeper sailors, soldiers' shipboard shows, transporting soldiers and war brides, accounts by U.S. Army soldiers of officer-ordered bayoneting of German prisoners of war, the accidental death of a solider during a stormy crossing, and transporting Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels and other notables.