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• 1 2020-03-28T10:15:45-07:00 Newport Logbook 92 Transcription and Analysis plain 2020-05-23T03:55:00-07:00 The Newport logbooks were used to record information such as weather, location, daily activities, and drills. This sample page from January 1st, 1925 (which I stumbled upon while browsing the archives) was more eventful than most. The Newport was docked at Bedloe's Island, now known as Liberty Island (home of the Statue of Liberty), when a crew member died of alcohol poisoning. In typical logbook fashion, the entry was as dry as a police report:
  
  6.00 a.m. - Quartermaster W.G. O'Grady, making hourly rounds, noticed light in Second Machinist John D. Cameron's room. On investigation, O'Grady found Cameron clothed in working clothes, lying on the deck face down and head underneath bunk. Two bottles of alcoholic contents, labeled “McDonald's Scotch whiskey”, each about half empty, were found on the chair. O'Grady turned the body on its back, and noticing no breathing, called the officer of the Deck, Mr. S.B. Wetmore, and the Surgeon, Dr. S.F. Kelley. Dr. Kelley examined the body at once in presence of O'Grady, the Master-at-Arms J.J. O'Brien, and Mr. Wetmore; pronounced him dead, probable cause acute alcoholism; and stated him dead about an hour. Body was placed in sick bay and two bottles of liquor seized for safekeeping and evidence. No other suspicious evidence found. Machinist Cameron was last seen shortly after 3 a.m. by Oiler-Watertender S. Sonneburn on watch in the fire room. Cameron's father was notified by telegraph at 7 Park Avenue, Mount Vernon, N.Y., at 6:30 a.m. (Western Union operator 51). The following were notified by telephone: Lt. Davidson, N.Y.C. police, Marine Dept. Station 71. Comdr. J.H. Boesch, acting commanding officer, at this home. Lt. C.E. Davidson, chief engineer, at this home. Knights of Pythias Lodge, Yonkers, of which Cameron was a member.
  
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  According to the log, that evening, with colors at half mast, police transferred Cameron's body to the public morgue. On January 3rd, J. Cox came aboard as the new second machinist.
  
  So much is absent. Who was Cameron? How did his death affect the crew and cadets
  Unfortunately, I found no clues in the pages of the logbook. With "overcast sky and fresh breeze" the Newport moved on.