Diary of Cyril Strahan Parry - Part 2
8
|
Escort. |
|
| H.M.S. Minotaur | Mont Calais |
| H I J M. S. Ibuiki | |
| H.M.A.S. Melbourne. | H.M.S. Hampshire |
| H.M.A.S. Sydney | |
|
(18) "Whiltshire" 10 396 Tons. 14 knots |
(3) Orvieto 12130 Tons 15 knots |
(14) Euripeda 15 100 15. |
|
(7) "Medic" 12032 14 |
(27) Southern 4769 12 |
(8) Argyllshire 10392 14 |
|
(11) "Ascanius" 10049 14 |
(4) Pera 7635 11 1/2 |
(9) Shropshire 11911 14. |
|
(15) Star of England 9150 13 1/2 |
(26) Australia |
(19) Afric 11999 14 |
|
(2) Geelong 7954 12. |
(12) Saldanha 4594 " |
(24) Benalla 11118 14 |
9
|
(17) "Port Lincoln" 7243 12 |
(13) Kalima 4641 " |
(22) Rangative 10018 14. |
||
|
(10) Kanroo 6127 12 |
(1) Hagmettua 4606 11 1/2 |
(16) Star of Victoria 9150 (13 1/2) |
||
|
(21) "Masen" 6443 12. |
(23) Suffolk. 4543. 12 |
(20) Hororata 9491 14. |
|
|
|
(6) Clara - Macquorquadali. 6721 13. |
(25) Anglo. Egyptian _ 12. |
(5) Ginratu. 8130. 15 |
|
|
|
|
|
(28) Militiads |
|
|
|
(N2) Tahihi. |
(N2) Limerick. |
(N3) Star of India |
(N2) Hawkes Bay |
(N2) Mannganini |
|
(N2) Waimona |
(N2) Ruapehu. |
(N2) Graia |
(N2) Athenic |
(N2) Aramo |
10
November 5th
6.30p.m. overtaken & passed by R.M.S.
Osterley on her way from Fremantle
to Colombo. To-night 11 p.m. from Sgt.
Anderson of 15th Infantry after shaving
the head of Pte. Bri^ng to prevent
baldness, proceeded to massage
the spot with "Rose Pomade" (so he
told Bri^ng) but actually used a
goodly quantity of Kiwi Boot Polish,
much to the amusement of all present.
Burg (quite unconscious) was quite
pleased with the performance, &
thinking those present were
laughing at the bald (White?)
patch didn't mind it a bit. We don't
know what happened or what he
11
said when he saw himself in a
glass, or what reception he got when
he returned to the Troop Deck.
November 6th (Friday)
Reveille at 6 a.m. Breakfast at 8.a.m
Fall in at 9 a.m. for Physical Drill
& Semaphore Signalling on Main
Deck till 11.30 a.m (This is usual
routine every day) During the morning
saw the first flying fish during the
voyage. Flying from the water in
shoals of anything up to 100 all. day.
At 9 p.m. Paraded on Main Deck
with Life Belts for inspection by Ships
Officers, & dismissed about three
o'clock. Tonight all ports are
screened & are sailing with "Lights
Out"
12
All ships are the same, so fleet
is invisible. Rather awkward
or weird getting about in the
dark especially on the deck. Sea
beautifully calm, & very cool &
pleasant on deck to-night & every
available Musical Instrument
brought into play especially near
next our cabin, where are assembled
some of the Sergeants of the 5th Inf.
having a concert party on their own
Makes one feel glad he came. By
this time we have been 2½ weeks
on Board, & am quite accustomed
to ship life which is certainly
very comfortable, plenty to eat &
very little to do, & plenty of time
13
to do it in. Scarcity of Fresh water
being our only trouble, this is
turned off every morning at eight
o'clock so as to prevent us running
short, & is turned on for a few
minutes before lunch and dinner.
One consolation is there is plenty of
salt water. Havn't seen land since
November 1st & if we are lucky, will
see Cocos Islands in about three
days, if not will see no more till
we get to Colombo. Have only passed
one ship so far (The Osterley).
November 7. (Saturday)
Very little work done to day as
half holiday has been granted.
Deck cricket matches held on the
14
Boat Deck, between Infantry
Companies, Engineers or Hd. Quarters.
During the evening we receive the
news of the Naval Engagement off
the Chilian Coast (Per Wireless).
To night we have Boat Stations with
"Lights Out".
November 8th (Sunday).
During the early hours of the morning
while sleeping out on the Deck experienced
first rain since leaving Australia so had
to hurriedly shift bedding to shelter.
H.M.S. Minotaur leaves us about 6 a.m.
and sails off South. Why (?) This leaves
us with the Escort of three ships.
The Ibuki, Melbourne & Sydney.
At 10.15 a.m. attended Church Parade on
15
Boat Deck under awnings. Very hot
to-day & sailing in the Tropics.
After Church Parade this morning R.M.S.
Euripides was noticed to stop & drop
back about 1 mile, it was afterwards
learned that there was a funeral on
board, one of the troops having died
early this morning of pneumonia.
Rumours are about to-day that the
Minotaur left us this morning to pick
up the French Transports from New
Caledonia & Madagascar. Tonight it is
raining heavily, but this is only what
we get every night (Tropical rains)
The sea is covered with phosporis,
especially alongside the ship. Very
close in the cabins tonight, and we
16
envy those who are sleeping on deck.
There is a great rush every night for
sheltered positions on deck, (which are
limited.)
By this time we are wearing as little
clothing as possible & blankets have
been dispensed with entirely, even
pyjamas, are unbearable, & even so, we are
not up to the Equator yet. In the morning
we expect to see Cocos Islands. We are
now some distance to the East of the
usual trade route, so will pass the
Islands on the East side instead of the
West side as in customary for mail
steamers of this line. (Slept nearly all
day to day). Sailing with "All Lights Out"
again tonight, & all the fleet is in
utter darkness, not a single light or
17
ship or anything at all is visible.
Since we entered the Tropics it gets dark
immediately the sun goes down, & there
is no twilight at all. Even the stars
are changing, & we see new constellations
every night, while the "Southern
Cross" & other stars that we see from
Australia are all left behind on the
Southern horizon.
No-drill at all is done on Sundays
and apart from Church Parade we do
nothing except amuse ourselves are
best we can.
November 9th (Monday).
A day I shall never forget.
Early this morning we are sailing along
the East side of Cocos Islands (These
18
Islands have a Wireless Station on them
and are also a cable Station). At 6.30 a.m.
the "Orvieto" picks up a strange Wireless
message which could not be understood,
this afterwards turned out to be a
message from the German Cruiser "Emden"
to her Collier. The "Orvieto" sent the news
to the "Melbourne" some little way ahead
of us. A few minutes later a message.
"S.O.S. - S.O.S. Strange Warship at
Entrance of Harbour". was received from
Cocos Islands near by. H.M.A.S
Sydney was immediately despatched
at full speed & very soon signalled
"Enemy in sight" & a little later sent
"Am in action & steaming North".
Then the "Melbourne" steamed along
19
our Port Line & the M.I.J.M.S Ibuki
steamed across our bows at full speed
in order to intercept the "Emden". But
the "Sydney" was apparantly giving
her such a bad time of it that she
could only get as far as North Keeling
Islands 15 miles North of Cocos. Then
the "Sydney" signalled "Enemy beached
herself to save from Sinking" & later
"Emden beached & done for" The ships
were all this time sailing at full
speed along our Port Site. The "Emden"
in front & the "Sydney" pouring shells
into her. The sound of the heavy
guns was very loud & deafening.
The "Sydney" after she had settled
the "Emden" chased the Collier &
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caught her, but we do not know
what she did to her, whether she
sunk her or took her captive, at all
events she is silenced. The losses on
the "Sydney" were 9 killed & 13 wounded
& it is rumoured had one funnel
blown away. It is supposed that the
"Emden" was landing a Boats crew
on Cocos in order to destroy the
Wireless Station & to cut the cables.
Then calling to her Collier for a
further supply of coal in order to be
ready for us. But as it happened
we were one too good for her & beat her
at her own game.
The Cocos Islands are very small & the
larger ones have small hills on them.
21
There are Sand Beaches & reefs all round
them. The population is very small as
the Islands are only a mile or so round.
There are the men who look after the
Wireless & cable stations, & their wives,
and also a few natives. While we were
passing Cocos the ships were surrounded
by great numbers of Sea Birds who
followed us for some time.
When we passed North Keeling Islands
we found it to be very small & was only
used by a few black fishermen. The
"Emden" was driven ashore just
about the time we passed. There are
still two German ships about the
"Kongisberg" & the "Karlshrue" so we
are not quite out of danger yet, &
22
tonight every light on board has been
put out, so we have to feel our way
about everywhere, & it is not too
comforting to know there are two
Germans about, eager to avenge
the loss of them the "Emden" & her
Collier. I think this is about the
nearest I have ever been to having
my light put out.
All this morning we are watching
the movements of the various Warships
Our convoy has now. taken up its,
original position & all is quiet again
but the "Sydney" has remained
behind to look after her foundlings
& also Cocos Islands. We have not yet
heard whether the U.S. Station was
destroyed or not.
23
November 10th (Tuesday).
Today we are learning per Wireless that
the "Sydney" is undamaged, and that the
"Emden" had her funnels blown away
also her mast, as well as having her hull
so badly damaged. The wounded & crew
are being taken off & being placed on
Direction Island some distance to the
South of where the "Emden" lies stranded
on the Beach. The W.S. Station at Cocos
is apparently damaged. To-day we are
not even allowed to throw anything
overboard that is likely to float, this
is in order that our whereabouts will not
be known by the Kronigsberg (a cruiser of
the same class as the "Emden) & the
"Karlshrue" (an aimed liner) at 3 p.m.
24
we received the news that the W.S. Station
at Cocos was destroyed & one cable cut,
but it is now being repaired. There
were three sets of Instruments on the
Island but the Operators buried one
set & so cheated the Germans when
they were breaking up the other two.
They also missed one of the Marine
cables. The Boats crew that landed
from the "Emden" escaped in a
Schooah^er while the "Sydney" was
destroying their ship. The losses of
the Germans were 150 killed &
wounded. Today the "Sydney" has
signalled that she is leaving with the
crew & wounded (presumably she is
not going to land them on Direction
25
Island. (See back of Book for description
of fight & plan of Cocos Islands.)
November 11th
Today "Oriviete" dropped back to rear
of fleet but afterwards came up again
to original position. We are now
getting a little more breeze than usual,
and it is very welcome.
November 12th (Thursday)
Much cooler today. The sea is just like
a sheet of glass. All day preparations
are being made to receive the
Germans. Most of them will go into the
hospital. This afternoon we were
passed by the "Empress of India" going
South to the Cocos to refit the Station
She signalled to us - "Good luck
26
Australians" & we replied "Thank
you" She is a very large liner with
3 funnels & was painted grey like a
Warship, and was armed. She is
of the same line as the "Empress of
Ireland" (Canadian Pacific Line)
November 13th Friday
Tonight at 5p.m. we had to hurriedly
shift out of our cabins to make room
for the German Wounded from the
"Emden" but as the sea is too rough
to transfer them we will probably
get back again tomorrow. We have to
sleep on the Boat deck as we have
no bunks. All the bedding we have
is two blankets (no pillows or mattresses)
and it is very had on the Board.
27
This morning while at Drill on the
Main Deck (as we have no bunks.
All the bedding we have is) we crossed
the line, and strange to say it is
raining hard, & it is the coolest weather
we have had since leaving Australia.
November 14th (Saturday)
Today we are joined by H.M.S. Hampshire
from the Persian Gulf, & later she leaves
with some of the Transports to go full
speed to Colombo in order that they may
coal early & so not to delay us.
November 15th (Sunday)
This morning very early we sight the
Light-House at the South End of Ceylon
& pass up the Coast all the morning &
anchor off Colombo about 9 p.m. On the
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