Transcription of Document FFDoc-1154.pdf

Dear Dora,

I recived your kind an loven letter on the tenth instant and was very glad to heare from you that you wore in good health as it leaves me in at present. we did not leav Port Johnson as soon as I told you but we left the next day, but did not go out. we ankerd down at Sandy Hook for two day. the reasen we did not leave sooner was because we wore a fraid off a storm. but saterday moreng been cleare we leaft and arived at Dover on tuseday. and laid theare three or four day. the reasen I did not write to you sooner was that we did not no whare we ware a-goen. the captian been a shore and I was waten for him to to come aboard so we find out whare she was a goen to so I coul writ and tell you whare to adress your letter to. you ware asken me in the letter about salt horse. we dont get nan of that heare we get cornd beef. I have no falt to find to the grub heare onely we dont get suger in our coffe or tea but that is noten. I am geten usted to it now. Dear Dode you must not be discontented for you dont no how it makes feel to have you woren so cheer up dont let yur curge fail for I will be home in side of two weeks if not before for the vessel is a waten to be loaded with cobel stones. as soon as she is loade we are agoen to Albany New York up the huston to on load and from thear to New York city. so now as I have noten more at present I will draw this kind and loven to a close hopen that when it reachs you it will find you in good health as it leaves me in at present.

Good by Write soon.

I ramande your loving Francis J Shields.

Deer Island Maine

Dont for gett you lover

Adress your letter to Albany New York, you must excuse me for not writen sooner