Saturday November 7 1914 - A22
Didnt feel at all well today so
got put on the sick list and up to the doctor again and they took my temp and
it went 100 deg so was put off duty. I
got some tablets to take. You get
tablets for anything that is wrong with you. There is a concert on deck tonight and we get
the piano out from the Officers Quaters and at 8 oclock all the lights as extinguished and the whole fleet
are put into darkness for half an hour and while this is going the Battery have
to fall in on Top Deck.
Saturday 7th November
A dull overcast day but by far the hottest we have had so far. We found the awnings over main Horse deck made the atmosphere very close indeed. In consequence we removed part of the forward awnings and rigged four new wind sails, beside opening to the full two meal doors on each side of the ship. This improved air currents considerably.
A dull overcast day but by far the hottest we have had so far. We found the awnings over main Horse deck made the atmosphere very close indeed. In consequence we removed part of the forward awnings and rigged four new wind sails, beside opening to the full two meal doors on each side of the ship. This improved air currents considerably.
Gun laying and signalling instruction carried out during day. At night from 8 to 8.30 all lights except stern shaded light were extinguished by order of Flag ship, and troops paraded on parade stations. This as a rehearsal in case of attack at night by an enemy. Most of the ships in convoy implicitly obeyed instructions but some omitted to quench their lights. As a consequence I expect we shall receive a sarcastic wireless tomorrow from the "Orvieto". The "Benalla" immediately ahead of our ship, as soon as lights were ordered out, veered quite out of the course before complying, and generally made a sorry exhibition. I rather think I should be a little afraid to take a long cruise in that ship with its present officers.
Returns from ships showing horses lost since last return (Thursday last) are as follows: - "Wiltshire" 1, "Star of England’ 1, "Port Lincoln" 1, "Karoo" 1, "Southern" 1, "Armadale" 1, "Katuna" 2, "Star of Victoria" 2, Total 10 – making grand total so far of 55 horses since leaving Albany.
We are drawing near to Cocos Islands, being at noon today 381 miles distant. Our position at 12 today 17° 14’ South, 101° 36’ East. Total run for last 24 hours 255 miles. Then had concert tonight prior to "attack" Parade. Exceedingly hot as I write 9.30 PM. Stewards have just brought us cold lemon drinks, which are just the thing now.
The A24 Benalla loaded with troops in October 1914 - the
troublemaker referred to by Col. Rosenthal above.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - PB0249]
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