Author: walkmarch

Not a cloud in the sky.  When I went on watch at 4.a.m. a large convoy of ships was visible on the starboard side, apparently crossing over to France.  How circumscribed one’s view is at sea!  Land or passing ships soon get below the bulge, giving on a feeling of isolation.  I forgot all about dinner.  Wonderful England!  After packing and donning full regalia, I emerged just in time to see Eddystone Lighthouse springing sheer out of the sea and the shores of old England coming nearer through the haze.  Close to the lighthouse is a kind of stump which I suppose is the base of the one that was blown down.  As we drew near to Plymouth Hoe the beauty of the green land began to manifest itself and the old city to show out in the sweeping bend of the bay.  I cannot describe my feelings – I felt as if I could cry, and at once realised how much I had missed by not having lived in the Old World, or at least, travelled here years ago.  But never say die, although I am beginning to realise that almost anyone should be ready to die for England.  I cannot explain but you sympathetic ones will understand.  Old castles, thick clusters of grey slated roofs, intensely cultivated farms dotted along the sunny Southern coast – everything breathing history – old four-deckers that have fought at Trafalgar lying anchored, everything making up a tout ensemble that spells England in unmistakable symbols.  My first intention was not to make any note because it would be so tame and inadequate, but I thought that I would write something with my first glimpse of “Peaceful England” actually before me, knowing that your bright and sympathetic imagination would in a great measure supply what was wanting.  I can see little sea-side resorts dotted about; with people, pleasure boats, launches, etc.  The hill-side fields are all defined with hedges and lanes and everything is as green as it can be.  All this while a group of men has sat on deck below the gunwhale gambling.  One or two of them popped their heads up for a moment, and grunted, “Oh that’s Blighty is it?” and promptly resumed their game.

Our Ships were heading almost South, but they soon resumed Eastern course, presume it was only a manoeuvre.  The torpedo boats prowling about on either side bring it home to one there is a War going on hereabouts.  The boats are steering an uneven course in a long line with the swift businesslike mosquitos guarding their flanks and every now and then making a dash at possible dangers; like sheep dogs.  One can hardly, in spite of them, realise the presence of danger.  I think this must be why so many merchant Captains have run inexcusable risks: “out of sight out of mind”.  The sea is beginning to take on that greenish look that I have noticed whenever we near land.

Passed some distance away a warship convoying another vessel.  The infantry now have to wear boots to get their feet used to them again.  A few sea-birds are re-turning, but not regular followers like those we had in the South.  The warm regions of the earth seem to have no attraction for the sea-birds.  The whistle blew like thunder 3 times one morning, but none of us know why.  We get war news by wireless daily.  Have seen in the distance a school of whales spouting and splashing.  It is quite evident that they do not spout water but that the plume is simply their hot breath condensing in the cooler air.  Bullen points out that in the Cachalot.  (I am trying to rewrite this page as the original has just been blown overboard).  At about 3.30 p.m. the long expected destroyers swooped down upon us like a flight of birds.  They whizzed up alongside  and after some signalling our ships took up a new alignment and proceeded under their escort.  Even in a calm sea they roll about in a surprising manner and one realises what they must be during the long winters in the cruel North Sea.

Rumoured that one of the ships saw a mine yesterday – the cruiser certainly went back and reconnoitred.  We saw a swallow flying about the ship.  It is light at 4.30 a.m. and up to 7.30 p.m. so we must be getting well up North.  Warwick took a snapshot of me prior to the sacrifice of my penwipe moustache.  I am kissable once more.

The vessels of the convoy are now zigzagging almost the whole time.  Another fatality has occurred.  One of the infantry died suddenly of heart failure after skylarking with his mates.  Why do Doctors prescribe a long sea journey as a means of recovering health?  It strikes me as having the opposite effect; but then, we weren’t invalids when we started.

The boats of the convoy have been varying their formations during the day – apparently with a view to thwarting possible submarine attack.  We now have to carry our lifebelts about with us all day – an unmitigated bore.

Passed a ship that did not respond to the cruiser’s signal, but was jolly soon rounded up by a shot across the bow.  It is rather galling to think that at the end of a voyage of something about 2/3rds of the World’s circumference we shall have seen practically nothing of the World.

A full rigged ship hove into view early this morning carrying every inch of canvass.  The cruiser buzzed round her a couple of times to take stock of her.

We don’t get marmalade for breakfast now as some idiots complained and said they preferred STEW!  You have no idea what asses some men are.  And they are filled with a kind of cunning distrust.  If you volunteer information on any subject of which they are ignorant they remain unconvinced and advance some asinine theory of their own in rebuttal.  I heard an exposition of astronomy the other night which I would give something to be able to repeat verbatim.

Had a criminal hair-cut with a machine.  My head feels quite bald and I am for the first time able to contemplate the peculiar implantation of my hair.  The crescent (or nascent) “Mo” sprouts out in contrasted luxuriance.  I doubt if you would recognise me.  Just off to breakfast, prospect of which blighted by vision of old enemy, stew, being carried down the passage.  Mild excitement just occasioned by escape of monkey and subsequent capture by one Casey.  The port is now receding in the distance.  Before we left, an English battle-cruiser swung into port to coal.  She was worth looking at.  When we pass a man-o-war or troopship we all stand to attention.  Very amusing aquatic sports this afternoon.  The Maoris were particularly funny.  The monkey created a diversion by getting loose and climbing to the top of the mast, where he stayed for an hour doing gymnastics on the rigging.

Still at anchor; watching the blacks dive for coins.  They are of a splendid deep bronze complexion and well made.  Someone has presented the battery with a monkey mascot which is domiciled on the poop deck – talk of putting him in artillery uniform.  Some of the officers are going ashore today and a small party of N.C.O.s and men are to visit the man-o-war lying in port.  Tummy troubles are getting prevalent, probably attributable to unwonted fruit orgies.  The town was settled by the emancipated slaves from U.S.A. and elsewhere and the population is entirely black.  The wares are all displayed and sold on the streets.  A great jumble of different lingoes spoken.  Everything is extremely dear.  A sort of miniature railway runs many miles inland.  The officers went for a ride in rickshaws, two natives pushing in rear and one pulling in front – no springs – they soon had enough of it.