23 Jul 1942, Rev. Buuck's autobiographical notes

I don’t recall how much we slept that night but you can be sure that the next morning ((ie the 23rd)) we did not take very long to pack our few belongings and get to the promenade deck where the orders were given. We Americans would disembark via the bow gangplank and proceed on the left side of some boxcars on the pier; those from the Gripsholm, the Japanese, would walk on the other side of the boxcars and board the ship at the stern gangplank.

Once on board the Gripsholm we were told to remain on deck while the crew readied the cabins. What an unbelievable sight there was on the deck at noon… here were tables loaded with the choicest foods of every description - a smorgasbord fit for a king! With the wonderful ham and cheese sandwiches and meats of various kinds, one could have a refreshing bottle of beer. We had every reason to thank the Lord for this food which for the past months had been only a vague dream.