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 [??] 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