Tuesday, 11 November 2014

11th November 1914




Indian Ocean
Wednesday November 11 1914 - A22

It was real hot today we are getting near the line now.  All the men were enoculated today this is the second time for us.  A couple refused to be done but they will get done before long.  We are going to get issued with some juice soon, it is very cooling and better for us than hot tea.  I haven’t been eating much lately.  I don’t feel like it in fact all men are going off tucker, it is the heat.  I have still bit of a cold but am getting for it.




A distant view of the first Australian convoy at sea,
en route to the Middle East. 


Wednesday 11th November

Again a very hot day, but cool breeze sprang up during afternoon. Men at physical drill, laying & semaphore. Artificers dismantling and cleaning third gun.

Received wireless pointing out that "Emden passed within 20 miles of us on Sunday night, and complained that some masters were not careful enough in darkening ship".

Arranged that mens ration of meat should be reduced and stewed fruit provided in lieu thereof, chilled in cooling chambers.

Lime juice brought out of No 5 hold and made available for troops.

This afternoon "Ascanius" dropped out of line for burial service. This makes the fourth death on the journey from Albany. I think in each case cause of death has been pneumonia supervening on Influenza. About 200 men inoculated against typhoid. I received our first injection tonight. Some of the N.C.O.s refuse to be done, but I think I shall be able to overcome their prejudices.

One horse very sick tonight. I am afraid we shall lose him before morning. Today’s horse casualty list is as follows: - "Wiltshire" 1, "Port Lincoln" 2, "Karoo" 2, "Marere" 1, "clan MacCorquodale" 2, "Armadale" 2, "Shropshire" 1, "Star of Victoria" 1, making a total to date of 95 lost.

Position at noon today 5°25’S, 90°39’E, run for 24 hours 247 miles.

Slept on deck last night, roused about 2 AM by heavy thunder and rain storm, had to shift to more secluded part of deck. 





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