Indian Ocean
Thursday November 12 1914 - A22
We put a horse overboard today,
he was sick for a few days and he was a dashed nuisance so just as well he snuffed
it. I am on stables for 24 hours and we
had a time of it. About 4 horses went
down in the battery and the ammunition column.
They were getting them down all night.
One of ours went out to it. A
fine big black one. My horse was crook
and is now up top deck stalls but is coming down again as he is nearly right
again. Two cruisers passed us today,
they were said to be Russian.
Nov 12 At Sea
Lost 2 horses Nos
116 + 85 (pneumonia)
The Empress of Asia (mentioned below), a previous world record
setter for both a single day's steaming (473 nautical miles) and
for crossing the Pacific (nine days, two hours, and fifteen minutes),
was converted to an armed merchant cruiser on the outset of WWI.
On the 12th November 1914, she met up with the H.M.A.S. Sydney in
the Cocos Islands, & took onboard survivors of the S.M.S. Emden.
[Courtesy of Merchant Navy Officers]
Thursday 12th November
Felt very restless during last night on account of
inoculation. Went up on Bridge at 3 AM and read some signal messages. At early
dawn "Orvieto", "Melbourne" and "Ibuki" conferred
on our flank. Later the "Melbourne" bade farewell and steamed off.
Prior to leaving she sent the two following
messages;-
"Captain of "Melbourne" to Commander
and Officers of Convoy. "Melbourne" is ordered on other service. On
leaving the Australian Convoy with which I have been connected since it first
began to move I hope I May be forgiven for any criticisms I have signalled from
time to time. Such signals have only been made with a view to the efficient
development of this great organisation, and the safety resulting therefrom. I
fully understand the difficulties that have to be overcome
in ships which have no facilities for station keeping, or darkening ship. I am
equally certain that the zeal and cooperation of Bridge and Engine room will
overcome them, and safely leave the splendid body of men that has been
entrusted to them. I wish you "farewell" and "good luck’.
The Second message read. "I hope to hear that
the Third Division will continue to keep up its good reputation for keeping
such good station. I thank them for having done their utmost in this respect.
Good bye, Good luck".
As she steamed past us with her flags showing
"Goodbye", "Good luck", we signalled our thanks and
Goodbye. The Orvieto signalled "Advance Australia". The
"Ibuki" then proceeded to take up her station at head of Convoy, she
being the only man’o’war with us. We expected the "Sydney" might have
caught us up today from the Cocos with German prisoners and wounded, but
perhaps she has gone direct to Colombo. At lunch time a big three funnelled
armoured merchantman (we think it was "The Empress of Asia") passed
us and signalled "Good luck". With the exception of the
"Osterly" this is the only vessel we have seen in our run from
Albany.
Sick horse died last night. Post mortem this
morning showed it had died from Pnuemonia. This is our first loss since Albany,
but we have all done our best and could not save the animal.
This is the day Alvord commences his exam for entrance to Australian Navy. I
wish I could send him a helpful cable.
Today the "Hororata" signalled she had 80
cases of measles on board. We luckily have so far had nothing really serious on
our ship.
Our position at noon today 2°26’S, 87°38’E days run
255 miles. We had from noon a run of 195 miles to the Equator.
Feel very "groggy" today as a result of
inoculation Very severe headache and strong local reaction in the side and
under the arms.
Hope to be fit tomorrow. Preparation being made for
"Crossing the Line" sports tomorrow. Understand some of the officers
are to be victims. Another horse apparently very sick. Horse decks much cooler.
There was a good fresh breeze last night and it has continued through the day.
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