The Voyage from San Diego, CA to Guam in the Mariana Islands, on board the USS Sea Snipe, took 23 days, with a stop over at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Luxuary Liner, the USS Sea Snipe, was a converted United Fruit Liner that had a speed of 26 knots. The USS Sea Snipe was allowed to proceed without escort because the Navy believed that with such speed, it could outrun any Japanese submarine, "So the story goes". Never-the-less, the trip was made without escort and without incident. There were an estimated 3000 service personnel from all branches of the military, on board the transport, and all going to the Mariana Islands. Personal and personnel space was at a premium. The sleeping quarters were very cramped and the top deck was always crowded with personnel seeking sunlight and fresh air. After a few days at sea and the passengers having developing their "Sea Legs" , boredom began to set in. There was very little to occupy the mind and to pass the time of day. Playing cards, writing letters, group discussions and sleeping, offered some relief to the tedious journey. About one day out of port, shortly after breakfast and the morning muster, the ships Captain made an announcement over the loud speakers that he was looking for somone who had experience in the leading of Vesper Services. One of the squadron's officers knew that Sgt. James Rittenhouse, a VMD-354 Photographer, had been a ministerial student* prior to joining the Marine Corps, and passed this information on to the ships Captain. The Captain offered the task to Sgt. Rittenhouse, who promptly accepted. For the next 22 days, Sgt. Rittenhouse conducted 3 on deck, Sunday morning Services and 22 Evening Vespers. Sgt. Rittenhouse manned the Chaplain's office. While there, he discoverd crates of Special Service books, games,and small musical instruments including Harmonicas, ocarinas, metal flutes and Ka-zoos. This material was distributed to the ships personnel who put it to good use. The ships atmosphere soon became filled with all sorts of strange and weird musical sound both day and night. The materials most requested from the supplies that Sgt. Rittenhouse had found, were the playing cards and the poker chips. Sgt. Rittenhouse was responsible for providing many of the ship's passengers with the means to relieve the boredom on board the ship and made the trip more acceptable. *After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1946, James Rittenhouse enrolled in the University of NC, received his undergraduate degree in 1949 and began his ministry in NC. He was graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and entered the Navy Chaplain Corps in 1954. He served as Chaplain with the Third Marine Air Wing in Korea. Commander Rittenhouse retired from the Navy in 1976.