1st Division landing practice in preparation for Gallipoli, mid April 1915.
[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - C01757]
Saturday 17th
Several rumours or latrines as we call them were circulated to-day. One as to 8 days [illegible] armistice been given to a Torpedo Boat of Turks attacking a transport & 60 of the British being drowned. We took on water to-day from the Sunik
[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]
Saturday 17th April
Went ashore this morning with boats crew to Mudros
Village. Major King and Capt Rigall accompanied me. We roamed through the
village, had a good look at French troops and the quaint streets, houses and
people of the Village. Major King took some photographs. We then walked round
through the fields to where landing was taking place. We all picked some
poppies and daisies to enclose in our last home letters. We had a look through
one of the many mills in this island. They do their work exceedingly well. We
saw the Mountain Batteries of the 29th Division coming ashore and after seeing
their work I am convinced our Field batteries can "run rings" round
them and could come into action in many minutes less than these folk appear to
do. The Contrast was very marked today. Our ship has today handed over six life
boats to the "Suffolk". She was evidently short and we had more than
we required. Quite a sensation was caused here by news
received today. A Turkish Torpedo boat which evidently came out from Smirna
intercepted the Transport "Manitou" from Alexandria, ordered her
troops and crew to take to boats prior to being sunk. About 60 troops and crew crowded
into a lifeboat, but the davits collapsed and precipitated the occupants of the
boat into the water. In the meantime the Torpedo boat had sighted Transport
"Osiris" also from Alexandria, and steamed off to treat her in like
manner. Her captain however managed to escape, and in the excitement the first
steamer also escaped. Both arrived here today. I understand the 60 men were
drowned, but whether as a result of the accident or because in steaming away to
save the rest they had to be sacrificed I do not know.
We hear that in all probability we shall be moving
to our goal on Monday. I have been carefully marking on my maps position of
enemy’s guns and trenches as discovered by Aeroplane Reconnaissance, and after
afternoon tea I lectured to the Officers in the Saloon, showing them what they
were up against. Received letter from Charley.
The H.M.T. Manitou attempting to recover men & materials overboard on the
17th April 1915, after being stopped by a Turkish Navy Destroyer enroute to Mudros.
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