Colombo
Monday November 16 1914 - A22
We never got leave to go into town
but all I can see is most beautiful. We
pulled along side the Anglo-Egyption and got a good few tons of chaff and bran
from her. We were pretty short so got a
bit to carry us on. There is plenty of
natives about in small boats and some are caractors. They will climb up onto the bridge and if you
throw two bob into the water they will dive in and get it every time. They are very frightened of the native water
police. Last night a few boats pulled
along side and some of the fellows got down from the port holes by their hammock
roapes and got ashore that way. And some
of them bought white suits for a few bob and when they were coming back our
Lieut C. was waiting for the lads who got away and so he thought these chaps in
white were gentlemen going to one of the other boats, so he called Rangatiara
here and the caps took a jerry to it and sliped round the other side in the
shadow and got up some roap ladders they had put there before. It is just as well they were not caught. We got under way and got out into deep water
and anchored so as to let others in. The
harbour is only a small artificial one and is packed just as full as can
be. We got a few newspapers they are
sixpence each. The Ceylon Times. The natives here were their hair long and
also dresses or skirts. Some of our
chaps bought felt dolls and silk handkerchiefs for next to nothing and if a an
likes to beat them down, he will get it for next to nothing. Every thing is done here by natives. The whites are waited on hand and foot. The Officials here go about in motors and
natives wait on them etc. It is pretty
hot here. This is winter so what must it
be like in summer. We put another horse
overboard today. I am S. and D. Orderly
and have 5 defaulters and must get them some scrubbing down etc.
Colombo Harbour - The mooring lines hanging through the foreground
belong to the A22 Rangatira at left & A25 Anglo-Egyptian at right (both
just out of picture), whilst fodder for the horses was being transhipped.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - P00117.031]
Monday 16th November
Awakened at 6 AM by firing of two sunrise guns in
quick succession. About 1.30 AM this morning Capt McGee came aboard in a
greatly disturbed state of mind. His gunner had failed to be at the G.O.H. at
the appointed time and he had to return alone to the ship. To make matters
worse the launch which brought him off did not know where our ship was lying
and he had an hours search in the Anchorage before he reached home. I told him
to take a boat’s crew ashore early this morning and find the missing lad. Later
they returned with him, and it transpired he had been at the Hotel the whole
evening, so I informed Capt McGee that it was apparent his Doctor friend’s
dinner had been too good, and in consequence his vision must have been
affected.
We drew off from the "Anglo Egyptian"
about 8.30 AM. I left at that time with a boat’s crew, visited the
"Medic", met Major Bessel Browne and the Officers of the 8th Battery,
then on to the "Geelong" to meet the officers of the 9th Battery,
then on to "Katuna" to see 9th Battery Horses. Major Hughes, Mr Jopp
and Capt McLennan accompanied me. Returned to "Rangatira" at 12.30 at
her anchorage in the roads. Early this morning some Cingalese came aboard
selling papers. One of them in some way was left on the boat and is now in a
great state of mind as to whether he will ever get ashore again. Have just received
wireless informing me that 1st and 2nd Divisions are to leave tomorrow at 11 AM
and our Division will leave at 6PM. They will thus get about 70 miles start of
us. We expect to go into harbour early for water. Sent off a boat’s crew
tonight with letters for "Orvieto" but owing to a strong current they
were unable to get more than ½ a mile from our ship in over
an hours rowing, so they returned, taking only 7 minutes.
The Port is a beautiful sight tonight. The town and
shipping lights also all the signalling lamps at mast heads making it very gay
in effect.
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