Suez Canal
Wednesday December 2 1914
Got up first thing this morning and
we are still in the canal and travelling at about 8 miles an hour and every
mile there is a squad of Gurkah troops stationed on guard on the Turkish side
of the canal. It is funny on the
Egyptian side of the canal there is rows of trees and grasses also a railway
line some of the way and a telephone line all the way and on the Turks side
there is not a blade of anything growing, it is just sand and mud. A passenger train passed us and gave us
cheers and we returned them heartly. We
came in sight of Port Said and we could see the sault mines there. In the Port Suez there was a lot of cruisers
a few torpedo and gun boats coaling we backed in and picked up a few tons of
coal. The natives coal all the ships,
they run up and down on planks with baskets of coal on their heads and they put
one in mind of ants.
The Suez Canal seen from the stern of a one of the First Convoy transports.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C00285]
2 Port SAID 9am
Arrived. Coaled + watered +
anchored in Roadstead.
The A5 Omrah and A3 Orvieto at anchorage at Port Said
after navigating the Suez Canal, 2nd December 1914.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C02566]
Wednesday 2nd December
Arrived at Port Said at 8.33 AM. Just 13 hours less
1 minute from Suez. Almost a record run. I am informed when the King visited
Delhi his ship took 13 hours, which was up to then a record trip. The journey
through the Canal proved very interesting. On the left Bank the fresh water
canal runs, and has a fair amount of vegetation on its banks. On the right bank
there is nothing but a desolate waste. We had no occasion to use firearms
during our journey through the Canal. Troops lined the banks, mostly Indian and
Egyptian to the extent of 35,000, and on the Right (East) Bank the Country has
been flooded from the sea to a distance of 15 miles inland by 8 mile wide. This
makes an effective barrier against invasion from Arabian territory. We saw
innumerable flocks of pelicans and flamingos. As we neared Port Said an
armoured train passed us, carrying troops, evidently for the canal. As we
arrived at Port Said a veritable hive of industry opened up before us. The New
Zealand transports had arrived ahead of us, and with innumerable other ships
all coaling, and several French and British Man o War (among the latter being
the "Swiftsure") made a very busy scene. We were anchored just off
the Custom House. The Anchorage is full of trading boats and presents a very
lively scene indeed. We are taking in coal and water here. The French Men O War
are carrying Hydroplanes for use in the Canal Zone. We moored our vessel about
10.30 AM. Immediately surrounded by native trading boats. Coaling operations
commenced. It was exceedingly interesting to watch how this work was carried
out by natives and how rapidly it was done. During the afternoon Colonel
Sutton, Capt McLennan, Mr Jopp and myself pulled off to the "Orvieto"
regarding certain returns, etc. Walter Hounain came on board to same from
"Maunganui". He is electrician on board. He told me an A.M.C. officer
was killed in the "Neptune" celebrations through diving into shallow
tank. I have been informed that this evening we go to an anchorage some
distance outside canal, so have arranged for all officers to go ashore this
evening returning by launch later to steamer. Visited several ships and walked
round the town generally. Much interested in the market quarter. Peculiar
trams, many donkeys, persistent guides and hawkers. At 9.30 found we could not
get our launch. Nearly all have been commandeered and are being used as river
boats fitted with maxims. We could only arrange with the "Ports and
Lights’ office to go aboard the "Swiftsure". I obtained copy of
November navy list (from the Consular Officer) which shows
Charley posted to H.M.S. "Charybdis", and also date of posting, etc.
We all stayed the night at the "Eastern Exchange Hotel" and had a
good look through newspaper files available in the Reading room.
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