29 Jun 1942, Rev. Buuck's autobiographical notes

((Undated, but these notes should refer to 29th June, based on other diaries' entries for these days.))

I recall climbing the ladder leading to the roof and scanning the sea. I am sure my heart skipped a few beats when I saw a tiny speck on the horizon. Yes, it was our ship coming in, destination-freedom. I hurried down to spread the good news.

It did not take long for us to get our baggage into line for inspection. Only two items caused us concern. One, the silverware, we did not try to hide completely but neither did we put it out in open sight. The other, my financial reports, I had written in ink, then torn into smaller pieces and put into the pockets of our clothing. Fortunately we were given only a superficial check.

I should mention that our sole possessions were contained in one rice sack, one wicker basket, one beat-up suitcase, one cardboard box, plus the coaster wagon which again came in handy getting our things to shore. Yet we were alive, in relatively good health, and together. We had much to be thankful for.

The Asama anchored some distance from the rather shallow dock so we had to board a smaller vessel and be ferried out to the ship which we entered via a cargo door just above water level. From here we went to one of the stations to be given room assignments.

Our spirits sank considerably when we learned that we would be in steerage, with the men and older boys on one side of the ship and the women, smaller children, and girls on the other. This could have been a disastrous arrangement but there was nothing we could do about it.

That night at supper we sat at a table and ate with knives and forks for the first time since January fifth. Although the Japanese were short of food in their own country, I must say that they did not do badly when it came to feeding us. Once again we had the taste of eggs, potatoes, ersatz coffee, different kinds of vegetables, even some bacon, and some other meat with the result that we began putting on a bit of weight again.

We men sat at long tables in the steerage dining room. I had Leonard and Laurence Ziegler with me while Ella and Mrs. Ziegler had all the little ones and girls.