Aden
Wednesday November 25 1914
Just before Revallie this morning
we came in sight of Aden. At first we
could see a line of barren mountains or rocks, then we came in sight of the
fort. It is on a rock facing out to
sea. We anchored in the harbour and
could see the barracks and two wireless stations, one right on top of the
rocks. The barracks are fine big buildings. Some are the chief headquarters of the Indian
army all made of solid brick and granite.
Beyond these there is the town which we never got leave to go into and
behind the town is great deserts and behind that is mountains. While on the opposite side of the forte is hugh
rocks all shapes and sizes and behind this is an Arab village then more
mountains and deserts. It is a dreary
looking place all the mountains are as bare as cardboard not a tree to be seen
some bumboats came along side and the chaps bought cigarettes 100 for a bob.
The First Australian Convoy at Aden - the Convoy's
Flagship, A3 Orvieto, is lying in the
foreground.
25 ADEN
Arrived 7am
Transports of the First Australian Convoy coaling at the Port of Aden.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C02541]
Wednesday 25th November
Arrived off Aden at 5 o’clock. I went up on the
Bridge at 5.30 and remained there till we anchored about 8 o’clock. A very
rugged group of cliffs marks both sides of the Entrance to Port, rocks
appearing to be volcanic. The whole country is exceedingly desolate. A large
number of Imperial transports are in harbour, evidently having taken home
Indian troops, and now returning empty. The H.M.A.S. "Sydney" was
also in Port. She left after us at Colombo, and must have passed us during our
first night out.
As we entered Port she steamed away at a good speed
in the direction of Perim. We delivered our mails during the morning to H.M.S.
"Hampshire", going over with the Captain in one of the Ships boats,
and returning to the "Rangatira" at 1 PM.
Aden looks a very forlorn spot. No signs of
vegetation. Groups of buildings, Forts, Signal stations and Clock tower were
all the points of interest visible from our anchorage. As we did not go inside
we could not see the inner harbour. Felt a little seedy after inoculation.
Received through Courtesy of local agents of
"Rangatira", files of Reuters cables, and Orvieto also sent me a full
account of the "Emden" fight. After dinner I assembled all the
officers in the Smoke room and read the news out to them.
We are under orders to leave Aden at 6AM tomorrow.
Numbers of boats have been around us today endeavouring to do business with
their wares.
Local men trading with troops on board the Australian
transports at the Port of Aden - baskets transferring food
and goods are being
lifted up to the ship by a set of ropes.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C02540]
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