Memoir of Arthur Ross Bramwell Bollard, 1914 - Part 2

Aug 7^th.
Destination Unknown  At Sea
Aug 7^th.
We are favoured by particularly
beautiful Weather, the Sea being calm as
a mill pond for miles on either side.
News that the “Melbourne” is following
in our rear. We are still steaming North
at 15 knots, We alter Course slightly
and pass “Kennedy Sound” about noon,
what memories it brought back to us of many
happy hours spent there a few days before.
Whilst passing through “Whitsunday passage
we meet the S.S Warilda, she was
her Decks were lined with people who
Cheered and Cheered as we steamed by,
their Cheers were answered by those of
our Bluejackets who roared lustilly,
and after all who can beat “Jack” at
Cheering. 11.30 p.m. we pass “Palm Island”
on our Port Bow, strict watches were kept
during the night.
Aug. 8^th
Set a course for a rendezvous
with the “Sydney” and “Destroyers”, our
first meeting place to be some miles
North of the treacherous Barrier reef.
which as we passed we could see
the waves dashing over it. The sun
shining brightly on the pure White Coral
reef, and the foaming waves dashing over
it presented a very beautiful picture indeed.
The Band played on Deck in the evening,
this considerably broke the monotony,
the Blue jackets took full advantage and
Danced to the swing of the music.
 

Aug. 9^th.
Rendezvous I  St Sea.
Aug 9^th.
Steaming North; speed about
12 knots. 6. a.m. We are joined by
the Destroyer “Parramatta”. Hold Church
Service on Deck in the forenoon, which
was conducted by the Rev Mr Riley.
11.30. a.m ship “hove to” and we awaited
the coming the “Sydney” with two other
Destroyers which picked us up about
noon, all Ships came to a standstill
while the Officer in Command from each
other ship came aboard the “Flagship”
for a consultation with “Geo Patey”.
Whilst the Squadron were “Lying To;” the
lads amused themselves by throwing
pieces of bread to a huge shoal of
Sharks; which were in close proximity
to the “Flagship”, on enticing them
sufficiently near to the ship, the lads
would open fire on them with revolvers.
We were able to Distinguish several
hits by the red blurr of blood which
would show on the shark’s white belly
as it turned over to grab the food.
It was great fun firing at the sharks
whilst we were aboard the ship in
perfect safety, how different it would
have been had we been in the Water
among them, our fun would have been
short lived. 1.15 p.m. the Officers having
returned to their respective ships, the
Squadron proceeded North.
Pass an Island towards evening, one
of the “Solomon Group”, Canibal Islands.
 

Aug 10^th. 
Pacific Ocean.
Aug 10th.
Very hot sultry weather.
Temperature 117° on Deck, 146° in the
bunkers, this of course making it it extremely
difficult for the Stokers who were
working be below. The Water too
begins to be affected by the heat, the
iron of the tanks becoming so heated
that the water becomes undrinkable.
A few of the more Thirsty ones drank
the waters, but soon ceased to do so on
account of a “prickly rash” which would
torment One immediately after Drinking
“Encounter” joins us during the Day
Was routine all Day. All ships steaming
single line ahead, Destroyers
thrown out on the Wing scouting.
Aug 11^th
Beautiful Weather, we are
heading for “Simpsons Haven” New
Britain” Where the German ships
"Scharnorst", and “Gneisenau” are supposed
to be in hiding. “Menu” for
Dinner “German sausages”, we hold a
Court Martial over them before eating,
and sentence them to be hung up by
the skins and tortured with knives,
This Sentence being carried out with all
Due Ceremony, we fell to, and ate
them as Cannibals would.
“Admiral Patey” gave a speech to the
Ship’s Company in the Forenoon, informing
them, that he intended sending
 

Aug 11^th.
Simpsonshafen.
the “Sydney” and “Destroyers” ahead; to
enter after Dark “Simpsonshafen” and
engage and draw the German ships
out of the harbour, where the “Australia”
would be in waiting with her heavy guns.
He said he had every confidence in the
lads upholding the fighting honour of the
ship. 5.30. p.m. The ship’s side was lined
with bluejackets and other Ratings ready
to Cheer the smaller ships as they went
ahead. Excitement prevailed on all ships
and Cheer after cheer went up as the ships
Detailed went ahead with clouds of black
smoke belewing from their funnels, and
an increasing speed into the gathering
night. As the ships disappeared one by
one from view, We went to “Night
Action Stations”, and taking up a position
16 miles from the mouth of the harbour,
we eagerly awaited coming events.
Midnight we received a signal from
the “Sydney” stating that a thorough
search had been made and the harbour
found empty; excepting for an old boat
hulk, which they had confiscated.
An Order was sent to them to remain
in harbour till Daybreak, when with the
assistance of our “Picket Boats” they
would sweep the neighbourhood for
mines. Nothing worthy of note occured
during the night, but a sharp watch
watch was kept in Case of a surprise
night attack.
 

Aug 12^th.
Blanche Bay.
Aug 12^th
7. a.m. We enter Blanche Bay,
"Sydney" and other ships are Sweeping.
We have occaision to fire on a large motor
boat; disguised as a "Gaught", which did
not "heave to" when ordered to do so, the
boat was thoroughly searched, and the crew
questioned, but on gaining nothing; it was
sent into harbour under escort.
On entering the bay we threatened to
blow up the Town if information was
not given us regarding a Wireless station
which was hidden somewhere in the
vicinity, no information was given however,
and we made a huge mistake by not
Destroying the Town there and then, much
further trouble would have been saved.
The Destroyer "Warrego" landed a party
of bluejackets to search for the Wireless
Station, they found nothing however so
proceeded to Destroy their only visible
means of communication, which was the
Post Office, after doing this they return.
to their Ship. Meantime the "Encounter
"Sydney" paid a visit to "Herbertshohe",
where the presiding "Magistrate" visited
the ship with an Official letter, he was
allowed to leave the ship again however,
this was afterwards found out to
be another big mistake. While this
was going on the "Encounter" bagged
a prize, which was in the shape of
a large Steamer "S.S Gambezze" by
name. In the first place she was
 

En Route —
Pt Moresby.
Aug 15^th.
We part Company with the
"Sydney", she proceeds to "Rossel Island"
whilst we stick to a Course South. S.E. in
the direction of "Moresby".
7.a.m. "Arrived" at Moresby, take in 2,000 tonns
of Coal, which was a very trying job,
the Day being extremely hot and sultry.
It is only possible for a large ship
to enter the harbour during day-time,
navigation being made particularly
dangerous by two large Coral reefs
which run out accross the Entrance,
in places these Reefs can hardly be
seen, and great care has to be taken.
9. a.m. The Harbour Master paid a visit
to the ship, he came over in a small
little Boat rowed by Natives of the place.
I believe they are called "Papuans;" rather
peculiar looking Jokers, standing about
5 feet high, very Dark skinned, which
looks all the Darker because of their
craze for wearing white, they wear their
hair in a big frizzy mop on top; for all
the world like a Chimney Sweep's brush.
Their Dress is plain and neat, and they
look remarkabley intelligent for "Pacific
Islanders, although I have heard that
they are very treacherous.
"Encounter" stays outside scouting all
night while our lads take a well earned
rest.
Aug. 16^th. Left at Daylight for the French
Town of "Newmea" "New
Caledonia. Passed the "Encounter" on
 

En Route
for Noumea.
Aug. 16^th.
Patrol Duty outside. Nothing startling
happens during Day, Weather warm, sea
calm.
Aug. 17 to 21^st
At Sea, nothing happened
en-route.
Aug 21^st.
Arrived at "Noumea" 8.30. a.m.
Deep Anchor outside the entrance to a
Tiny Bay on the Shores of which is situated
the quaint little Town of "Noumea"
A prettier little place could hardly be
imagined, it nestles down in a valley
between two huge Ranges of hills: the
buildings are mostly White with Gables
and red roofs, on the right of the
Town stands a huge square uniform
looking building, painted white, with also
a red Roof; this is the Military Barracks,
on the opposite side to the
Barracks stands another huge building
which happens to be a "Convict Settlement
two rather grim sentinels I must say
to be on either side of such a pretty little.
Place. At the rear of the Prison stands
a small mound on which is situated
an Old Antiquated muzzle loading
canon; it is used: I believe on occaision
when a more or less lucky convict escapes
from the arm of the law. The escapes
must have been mighty few and far between
during the last century however,
for the weapon looks as if it had never
been fired since the lime of "Nelson".
 

New Caledonia is or was used
as "Penal Colony for France: it's
Capital is "Noumea".
It is a large Island containing
an area of somewhere about 7,200
sq miles, population 50,608; of whom
13,138 are of free, and 5,671 of Convict
origin. The Native population numbers
28,075. Total Revenue of it and
the neighbouring Islands for 1913
was 13 4,342,621 francs.
In 1915 it exported 13,934,715 francs.
 

New Caledonia.
"Noumea"
Aug. 21^st.
No sooner had we dropped Anchor
than up came the Collier "Koroniki," to
supply us with 2,300 tons of coal.
Hands cleaned into Coaling rigs and
at 9.30. a.m. coaling commenced in
grim earnest. For hours afterwards all
that could be heard was a "clanging
of shovels", "hoarse shoutings of Orders
from Dusty throats," "the screaming of
Wynches," and now and again could
be heard an occaisional adjective (never
seen in the ordinary English Grammar)
when some obliging "Bandsman" ran
over a burly "Jacks Foot" with his
coal barrow. It was an awful Coal
ship; the Dust seeming to get into
one's ears; eyes; nose and mouth; until
one was nearly driven mad with it.
We were considerabley helped on with
the Work however by sixty (60) convicts.
whom the Governor of the Prison ashore
had sent aboard to assist.
They were a rather blood thirsty looking
crowd, seeming to be representatives
from all parts of the Globe. The Work
continued all Day and through night as
well, and before the Coaling was finished
we were one and all very grateful
to the Convicts for their help. The latter
part of the Work was carried out under
extremely trying circumstances, the Rain
coming down in Sheets; and making
the men shiver and shake with the
cold and ague.
 

New Caledonia.
Noumea.
Aug. 22^nd.
5.30. a.m. When at last the Coaling had
finished and the Collier had left the ship's
side; the lads were all fel feeling dead
beat, quite a few had been carried to the
"Sick Bay" and the remainder did not
feel at all like starting to Work again
at cleaning ship, which had to be done
before 9. a.m. when we were expecting
to put to Sea and carry on our Usual
Routine at the "Guns". The traces of Coal
Dust were all removed by 8.50. a.m and
we were once again ready for Sea.
9. a.m. Sailing Orders postponed until
flood tide on account of H.M. Transport
"Monowai" in leaving harbour ran aground
on "The Bar" with the "New Zealand" troops
aboard and could not be refloated for
some time. The Ship's Company take
full advantage of the few hours respite
and drop down wherever they can to rest
their aching bodies. A Third of our
Officers were allowed ashore, where; as
I learnt afterwards they received a
warm reception from the French
People, especially "Lės Demoiselles".
The French Girls seem to be rather
partial to English Sailors.
Aug 23^rd
The "Flagship" left "Noumea"
about noon, followed by Two Transports
of "New Zealanders," H.M.T. Monowai
and H.M.T. Moeraki" also three English
Gun-boats. H.M.S. Psyche. Philomel; & "Pyramus"
We are joined at Sunset by the French ship
Montcalm, with "Rear Admiral Hugenot" aboard