CAPT. THORNTON & HIS TROUPE MEET THE TROOPS, ROUND THE CLOCK.

Capt. W.P. Thornton
and Barbara Mercer.
Barbara joined the captain at the wheel
to take a last-minute peek at her
audience across the water on the troopship,
troopship before she braved the 
icy wind to go into her act.
The girls did not let the cold weather
affect their enthusiastic welcome 
 to the returning troops. No matter 
the hour or weather, the Welcome Ship  
 and U.S.O. entertainers were there
to greet returning troopships.
Click the image to enlarge.
Dated 10 Feb. 1946.
Original gelatin-silver print from the archives
of the Saltwater People Historical Society©

WELCOME HOME

Capt. W.P. Thornton watched the goings-on
on his little ship with amusement.
The short trips he made in the
Welcome Home were routine to him. 
Capt. Thornton was a youth when he joined the 
Coast Guard, and has chased smugglers of Chinese,
including Pirate Kelly, and rum runners. Now he's 
proud of his new work and his traveling chore of 
transporting the welcoming troupe ––to greet 
the returning servicemen.
Unknown photographer. Gelatin-silver print 
from the archives of the 
Saltwater People Historical Society©

This huge sign built on West Point
to greet returning veterans was lit
at night with floodlights.
The Seattle Sportsmen's Club campaigned
for half the total cost, $9,000, and
the state paid the other $4,500. 
In the background can be seen the
old-time "West Point Light,
 which guided mariners into Seattle
since before 1880.
On a clear day, the sign can be seen
from Point No Point
nearly 15 miles away.
Click the image to enlarge. 
Gelatin-silver photograph from the archives of the 
Saltwater People Historical Society©

Seagoing "riots" broke out when
troupes met troopship in Seattle 
 and delighted roars came from 
thousands of G.I.'s hanging
over the rails of their vessels 
when they glimpsed the U.S.O.
entertainers on the Welcome Home
boat sent out by the 
 Seattle Port of Embarkation. 

Always aboard the welcome
vessel were seven U.S.O. gals and
a Seattle woman, Barbara Mercer,
 a night-club entertainer,
who always accompanied
the troupe with her
baton-twirling act on the deck.
 The troupe also included 
an accordionist, a dancer,
and singers.

Source: Some text by Betty Cornelius for the Seattle-Times, Feb. 1946.