Lives in Letters: Postcard from the Hippodrome

Okay, I just loved the picture on this postcard. The message isn't bad either.
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I'm putting up two pictures of this postcard tonight. One is clearer than the other, but has a white flash-mark in the middle. The other's a bit too blurry to satisfy.

Postcard
The Hippodrome,
New York City

.
New York, NY
October 3, 1912
.

Addressed to

Miss Edith C-
Springfield, Mass

Dear Friend
We are now
on board ship and
expect to sail some
time this afternoon.
Where I don't know
at the present time.
Were in Hoboken. We
didn't land at all. Just
transfer from one to
the other. As ever
Joseph P.

Notes:

Here is the write-up about the Hippodrome from the back of the postcard itself.

The New York Hippodrome occupies an entire block on Sixth Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets. It is the largest playhouse in the world. Has a seating capacity of 5200. The depth of the stage is 110 feet, the width 200 feet. Noted for its distinguished visitors, such as the President of the United States and Governors of every state in the Union. Royal visitors, Foreign Diplomats, and European official representatives have been pleased spectators at the Hippodrome.

Here's one site with good pictures and a write-up about the Hippodrome.

And here's one that's even better. If you only have time for one link, go with this one.

Fun facts about the New York Hippodrome:

• Built in 1905, it was at that time the world's biggest theater.
  
• Harry Houdini made an elephant disappear during a show there.
  
• It was used for big theatrical productions, and live animal shows. It gave the Barnum and Bailey Circus a run for their money.
  
• It was thought to be a very democratic establishment -- offering high culture and good entertainment at bargain prices. Unfortunately in this case, democracy did not pay the bills, and the theater closed just over 30 years after it was opened.
  
• The building was torn down in 1939.

There's not a lot to say about this message, only what kind of adventure must Joseph have been on? Transferring from one ship to another, not knowing when his ship would leave, or where it was going. Was he in the Navy and that's why he didn't know where he was going?

And if he didn't land, how did he manage to get this postcard to send?