Article on the blockades of the Chesapeake Bay due to mines and the sinking of the Kingston Ceylonite. Although it was written 3 years after the events, it provides a great summary of the week my grandmother was in Norfolk. Click on image to enlarge for reading!

In today’s letter, my grandfather mentions an event that occurred during my grandmother’s time in Norfolk. On June 15th, the Kingston Ceylonite¹ was sailing off the coast of Virginia Beach in a convoy. She wandered into mine field and was sunk. The mine field had been laid out by the German boat U-701 four days earlier. The ship sank with 32 men going down, and only 18 survived. Two tankers and the USS Bainbridge were also hit but did not sink.²

It must have been an exciting week for my grandmother in Norfolk.

And a raise is always good news!

Letter transcription:
Mon Eve (postmark June 22 8:30 PM 1942)
Dear Mother,
Just a note – the day went on as usual – hot and a large number to examine. It is now 5:00 PM. And thundering like as if we might get some rain.
As yet the Dr. isn’t home he is back brought some of his clothes in – am sending you the mail that came today.
The long expected raise is now thru 21⁰⁰ per mo. I made an allotment for you today – $170 per mo. You won’t get it before Aug 1st however.
It has been definitely determined

(page 2) that the ships of V[irginia] Beach were sunk by mines so maybe the subs weren’t as near as we thought. They probably served the mines and let them drift in with the tide.
Lentz just came in so we’ll go eat. Don’t know where yet, but one of the old places I suppose. Hope you are still making it ok
Love Daddy

Notes:
1. Specifics on the Kingston Ceylonite http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/6368.html
2. Article from Wikipedia regarding Torpedo Alley of Atlantic coast during WWII here