A letter from Slough to his younger brother, dated June 7, 1934. Click to see the full letter.
Special Collections is happy to announce the publication of our latest collection in the UH Digital Library, the William Slough USS Houston Letters. This collection of letters from William (Bill) Slough to his family while he was aboard the USS Houston (CA-30) vividly documents what life was like for sailors prior to World War II. The letters were sent from 1934-1936, starting just after he enlisted in the Navy on May 15, 1934.
William Slough, S1C
In the letters, Slough discusses myriad aspects of the military life. He worries about family and money, how to spend his leave, and how to gain much desired promotions and pay raises. He also writes about learning to love travel and deciding to pursue a career in the military. Most of the letters originate from Long Beach, California, the Houston‘s home base at the time, but Slough also discusses the ship’s travels, including time spent at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The digital collection also includes a photograph of Slough in his dress blues and copies of his Crossing the Line certificate and subpoena.
William Slough was born on May 19, 1914, in Missouri but later moved to Texas, where he lived before joining the Navy. In addition to serving on the Houston, a heavy cruiser, he also served on the USS Cowpens (CVL-25), an aircraft carrier. He served in World War II, and after the war he continued in the Navy Reserves for 20 years. Slough was proud to say that with his service, every generation of his family had served in the United States military, beginning with Matthias Slough in the Revolutionary War. William Slough died on Dec. 9, 1991, in Victoria, Texas.
A letter from Slough to his mother, dated Feb. 24, 1935. Click to see the full letter.
The William Slough USS Houston Letters are part of the larger Cruiser Houston Collection. Another digital collection related to the Houston is the USS Houston Blue Bonnet Newsletters.
The U.S.S. Houston (CA-30) was launched on September 7, 1929 in Newport News, VA.
Today marks the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Houston (CA-30). The Houston was the flagship of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet during World War II. On March 1, 1942 she was sunk by the Japanese during the Battle of Sunda Strait, and her surviving crew members were taken prisoners of war.
In the late 1940s, the U.S.S. Houston Survivors Association was formed. In addition to publishing a newsletter for survivors and their families and attending annual reunions, the association has done much to preserve the memory of the ship and her crew. The members collected historically valuable documents and memorabilia about the Houston, which they donated to the University of Houston Libraries.
The materials donated by the association along with others acquired by the Libraries make up a number of collections in Special Collections, along with a permanent exhibit housed on the second floor of the M.D. Anderson Library. This exhibit is the location of a survivors event each year that marks the anniversary of the Houston‘s sinking. Special Collections also has an online exhibit with detailed information about the ship, her crew, the war, the prison camps, and the survivors.
Archival materials relating to the U.S.S. Houston can be found in the Cruiser Houston Collection, the William A. Bernrider Collection, the Samuel Milner U.S.S. Houston and 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Papers, and the Captain Albert H. Rooks Papers.
For more coverage of the anniversary and related events, see the Bayou City History blog, the Houston Chronicle, and the Cypress Times.
Lin Drees, Capt. Carter Conlin, USN (Ret.), and OSC Kendall Palmer, USNR (Ret.) present the Captain's Night Order Book to the UH Libraries. Behind them you can see part of the library's permanent Crusier Houston exhibit.
Special Collections recently added a new item to the Cruiser Houston Collection, a USS Houston (CA-30) Captain’s Night Order Book. A night order book is a notebook in which the ship’s commanding officer would write overnight orders concerning course and speed of the ship for the officer of the deck. This book covers the period from April 18, 1939 – October 16, 1940, and is signed by Captains George N. Barker and Jesse B. Oldendorf. It was purchased by a group composed of members of the USS Houston Survivors Association/The Next Generations, researchers of naval history, and members of the Texas Commandery of Naval Order of the United States, and donated to the UH Libraries.
Special Collections extends a special thanks to all the donors who made this acquisition possible:
- Kendall C. Palmer
- Ronald H. and L. Raney Drees
- Barbara L. Raney
- James E. Fisher
- James D. Hornfischer
- Larry and Linda Poole
- Don Kehn, Jr.
- AnnElise Golden
- David and Cheri Burr
- Kerry B. Magee
- Carter B. Conlin
- Matthew Rejmaniak
- Anonymous Friend
- Tony Parham
- Leland E. Stewart
Photos, posters, medals, and other artifacts from World War II are on display in an exhibit on the first floor of the Julia Ideson Building of Houston Public Library in downtown Houston.
Entitled Houstonians During World War II: A Tribute to the Greatest Generation, the exhibit includes rare archival photographs, colorful propaganda posters, memorabilia from the two Navy cruisers named USS Houston, ration coupons, medals (including a Nazi German Iron Cross), and Japanese occupation currency from Java and the Philippines. Persons depicted in the exhibit include famous Houstonians George H.W. Bush and Oveta Culp Hobby.
Viewing hours for this free exhibit are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The library is at 500 McKinney, at the corner of McKinney and Smith Streets downtown. The exhibit will be on display through March 4, 2007.
Please join the University of Houston Libraries for a reading by James D. Hornfischer, author of Ship of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, FDR’s Legendary Lost Cruiser, and the Epic Saga of her Survivors, now available from Bantam Books. A riveting account of the story behind the library’s own Cruiser Houston Collection, Ship of Ghosts has been chosen as a Main Selection of the History Book Club and the Military Book Club, and as an Alternate Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club.
The reading and book signing will be held in the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion at the M.D. Anderson Library, University of Houston, Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 6:30 pm. Attendees are also invited to enjoy the USS Houston (CA-30) exhibition on display near the Pavilion.
To reach the Library from I-45 South (coming from downtown), exit Spur 5 South (44B). Turn right at the first stoplight and take University Drive to the entrance to the University. A parking garage is on your left. M.D. Anderson Library is past the student center towards the center of campus. The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion is located on the 2nd floor, accessible from the elevator or staircase just inside the front entrance. If you need special assistance, please contact Julie Grob by e-mail at jgrob@uh.edu or by phone at 713-743-9744.