Tuesday October 27 1914 - A22
Another day gone and we are still
here. I dont think we will remain longer
than can help; we are going to take on some water in the morning. It was exciting today one of our lifeboats
put with some of our men to go to another boat and all I can say they were a
lot of chumies at the game, it is a wonder some where not drowned, such mugs
but it is no joke lowering a small boat into a sea. The seas as coming in the mouth of the
harbour and we are anchored just in the mouth.
I dont know what would happen if we really had to take to the boats in a
real heavy sea.
Vessels of the First Convoy at anchor in King George's Sound.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C01687]
Last night very rough. "Katuna" arrived
from Tasmania this morning. As she has a large number of 3rd Brigade horses I
shall get in touch with her as soon as possible and ascertain their condition. Units
as usual work during morning. Obtained a voluntary boat crew in afternoon to
row over to "Katuna" and "Geelong". Col Sutton accompanied
me in order to see his medical details on the "Geelong". We had a
very rough passage to the "Katuna" which lay about a mile from our own ship. We then had to clamber up ship’s rope
ladder, no easy task with a heavy sea running. After inspecting the horses we
again engineered ourselves back into the boat and rowed over to the
"Geelong" which is carrying 9th battery from Tasmania. The sea had
however risen a good deal and we were unable to get on board. Consequently
after a few words with Major Burgess who was waiting for us, we set off from
ship, and after a good solid hour and a half’s row arrived safely.
The boat was leaking a good deal and baling had to
be resorted to constantly. One of our crew was very sick, but everybody else
appeared to enjoy the experience. Col Sutton and myself feel that after this
afternoon’s experience we have no desire to form part of a shipwrecked crew,
cast off in ships boats in the open ocean. Both lamp and wireless signals
through from "Orvieto" during the evening. Conference called for
tomorrow on Flag Ship.
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