2 There are six battalions on board and other details so we are a full ship. The start from Canada was most unseasonable. A perfect day and a calm sea which we have carried with us all the way so far. The steamer is luxurious though the men are somewhat crowded & with so many on board it is not easy to arrange for sufficient exercise. We are of course frequently practiced in alarms but now that we have passed from the region of fog & ice where we were much delayed I feel that the real danger is over. We have had the news of the great naval battle & of course it & submarines are the principal subject of discussion. We have worn life preservers