Memoir of Arthur Ross Bramwell Bollard, 1914 - Part 1

Front cover of diary - see original document

Inside cover of diary - see original doucment

A.R. Bollard.

3
DRL
6061
Signal logs -  see original document

July 30^th 
1914. 

Place Pialbo Bay.
Queensland. Australia.      
Thursday. 30^th
H.M.A.S. Australia
Flagship of Australian Fleet comprising
of nine late pattern ships, respectively;
"Australia" (Battle Cruiser) 19,200
tons, 8-12" guns, 16-4^th speed. 27 knots,
"Melbourne"; "Sydney", "Encounter" (Cruisers)
fast type, 5,000 tons. "Warrego" Parramatta"
"Yarra" (Destroyers) (A.E.I.)A.E.II.) Submarines. 
Also a few old fashioned Gun
boats, used mostly for River work only.
Prior to Thursday July 30^th the
Australian Fleet under the Flag of
"Rear Admiral Patey" had been steaming 
in Northern Queensland Waters doing
Gunnery; Torpedo Running; Boat Sailing
and General Steam Tactics.
The whole of our time was not taken
up by Drills however, for occasionally
recreation Parties were landed on "Palm
Island", where they were able to roam
about at their leisure, some going
shooting Rabbits, which they used to
carry aboard; much to the discomfort
of the Cook who would always be expected 
to turn whatever was brought
aboard into a Savour Dish at the
shortest notice possible for jolly lads
whose appetites as a rule were generally 
sharpened considerably by the
Chase for Mr Bunny.
Other parties would go swimming:
boating; fishing; collecting Coral,

July. 30^th
Place Queensland.
and any other sport or mischief which
Satan could find for them to do.
We greatly enjoyed the Sporting Parties
and were all rather disappointed when;
our Gunnery being completed; the Fleet
steamed south to "Hervey" on what is
generally known as "Pialbo Bay", we were
to stop there En route for Brisbane
Where we ^were expecting to get 14 days leave,
needless to say the lads were all looking
forward to the Day of our arrival.
We arrived off "Hervy Bay" early on the
morning of the 29^th  having to deep anchor
some distance out from land on account
of the Shallow Water. The usual
Routine of entering harbour was gone
through, and very little else worthy
of note happened during the Day, except
that the Ship was got ready in
general for a visit from the Mayor
of Maryborough, and a number of
local visitors who were expected on
the morrow.
Thursday 30^th
We receive news of "Austria"
declaring War on Servia, rather serious
news. And we never gave much heed
to it; not thinking it would in any way
effect us. The Mayor of Mayborough
and our Admiral (Geo Patey) exchange
official visits during the day, at the
same time time the ship was
thrown open to visitors.
During the afternoon the steam packed
 

Departure from
Hervey Bay.
Place En route.

"Lass O'gowrie" brought off quite a

goodly crowd of visitors, some of
whom were friends to lads of the ships
Company. After having quite a sosciable
time with the lads, the Visitors shoved
off midst much shouting and cheering.
Quite a gloom seem to settle over
the lads after their Departure. This was
not for long however, for at 10.p.m. an
order came through for Steam for 25
knots, to stand by to leave harbour
by midnight. A full watch went below
to light up all around, while the Seamen

went to their respective stations
for preparing ship for Sea.
Midnight finds us all hustle and
bustle heading for the Open sea at
16 knots, which increases until we
attain a speed of 20 knots, in a very
short time all lights from the Mainland
fade from view, and all that can be
seen are the lights of the "Melbourne"
and the other ships which are bringing
up the rear. Great excitement prevails
over the ship, everybody being uncertain
as to our Destination and as to the
reason of our sudden Departure.
July 31^st En route for Sydney to
Coal and provision ship, and take
in War Stores. The other ships nowhere
to be seen were left behind during the
night. Pass two large steamers bound
in same direction as ourselves.
 

Aug. 1^st 1914.
Place Sydney.
Aug. 1^st, 6.30.a.m. Weather dark and cloudy;
slight misticial rain falling, great change
in the Weather after Palm Island.
10. a.m. We passe through "Sydney Heads"
and drop moored to No I Buoy.
Just before noon the Collier "City of Hankow"
came alongsede, as did Ammunition and posision
lighters.The Destroyer "Parramatta"
came up on our Starboard quarter to sit,
at the same time all hands were set to
work taking in ammanition and provisions
All woodwork and unnecessary gear
was landed, and Parties were sent to
the Dockyard for War Stores. Crowds of
people gather on the "Domain" to watch
opperations. The news papers are brimming
with news, "Russia Mobilizing Troops",
Germany looking for trouble, she has issued
twenty four hour's ultimatum re mobilizing;
France reported mobilizing Troops
Newspapers ashore selling by thousands,
terrific excitement prevailing. After ten
p.m. the Hands work watch and watch
that is four hours on and four off. Nobody
but Duty hands allowed ashore.
Aug 2^nd
"Germany" declares War on "Russia"
France stands by" Russia" whilst Italy
declares herself strictly neutral.
We Finish Coaling during the day, all
hands join in getting in stores,
Aug 3^rd
Rumours that we have declared
War, news which was greeted
 

Farm Cove
Aug. 3^rd

Place Sydney.
with loud cheers, both from the Ship's
Company and the Crowds on the Domain.
Most of the work was finished by 3.30.p.m.
and leave was given to Officers until
midnight, Married men are also given leave
to see their wives. Any one having Relatives
ashore was allowed to have them aboard
in a very short time the "After Deck" was
crowded with people; Sweethearts, relatives
and sailors all talking excitedly on
the probability of there being a War.
Aug. 4^th
A typical Sydney morning
Sun shining brightly. Thousands

of people thronging Circular Key and
the Domain, Relatives, Wives; and
Sweetheartss were allowed aboard again.
In the afternoon we received orders to
prepare for Sea, we which we do, and
then after witnessing a few rather sad
partings and Farwells we slip the
Buoy and proceed out of harbour at 9.p.m.
There was much Cheering and ringing of
bells as we left the buoy, although we
couldnt see the people clearly; the night
being too Dark, The lads from the "Encounter"

and the "Melbourne" (which had joined
the day previous) gave us a hearty resounding
Cheer, to as we passed them, we
responded just as heartily, and all was
excitement until we steamed out of hearing
and headed towards "Sydney Heads".
We then Darkened ship, precautions being
given against showing any naked lights
 

Aug. 4^th
Deslination Unknown.
Place At Sea
on the Upper Deck, Action Stations for
the night sounded off shortly afterwards,
Guns were loaded, and Duty Guns crews
and Watches were told off and set for the
night, the remainder piped down, no doubt
feeling worn out with the Day's excitement
and vaguely wondering what the future
held in store for them.
Aug 5^th
Well away from Sydney and
steering a Northerly Course; Destination
still being unknown. Prize Crews were
told off in case of our meeting any German
Steamers, ed in case of which we should
confiscate and send back to "Sydney" with
one of the before mentioned Prize Crews in
Charge. 5.15 p.m. Catch up an English
Collier and send her back to Port, pass
two other ships, one a "Tramp", the other
the Orient line "S.S Orontes", Warn them
both to make no report at having seen
us. No sign of German ships, but we
receive Official news of War being declared,
between England and Germany, this news
was greeted with loud cheers by the lads,
I wonder if they realize what it will mean

Aug 6^th S
Sea Routine, Exercise Action
Stations, General Drill, nothing in particular
happened, Challenged all ships,
receiving satisfactory answers to our
investigations