Diary of Gerard Henderson Cowan, November 1916 - January 1917 - Part 7

Wednesday 27/12/16
Crew lowering the derrisks roused  
me out early and by the time we
had fallen in of  on early parade the
anchor winch was going after 
fifteen minutes skilfull manoeuvring
we steared seawards
standing to attention and
saluting the French cruiser
as we passed her.   She dipped 

her flag to us in return.

I was unable to stay and watch 

as we are supplying submarine 

guard and it was one of ten.

We had a little over an hour 

to have breakfast, shave & 

and appear in full dress & 

drill order.

While below I heard someone 

say we were passing a French 

cruiser and on looking out  

of the porthole I saw a queer old

fashioned cruiser passing. She was

[picture of boat with 4 steam things]   

just about

to enter

the harbour.

This is her style as near as I can remember 

as you will see by the drawing her forward 

turret is right forward and look very 

out of place.

By ^the time we had mounted guard (my 

post being on the forward bridge same 

as last time) land was very nearly 

out of sight and about 20 minutes 

later we sighted it faded away into 

the haze.

Up to noon the only thing of interest 

was a passing steamer and a man 

overboard from the Afric.

Our line of convoy is, Boonah 

Argylls hire,Afric, port Nicholson, 

& Benalla.

I was on watch at the time 

and hearing a couple of blasts 

of a whistle & looked around and 

saw the Afric, turn out of her 

course & go about. I guessed then

it was a man overboard.

He was I believe picked up safe 

& sound and. we resumed our 

voyage after having been delayed 

half an hour.

During my afternoon watch I sighted 

five whales, you could see them 

blowing up spouts of water quite 

a distance away.

I also noticed a line of foam were 

waves continually broke over 

some object. I think it must 

have been caused by a number 

of whales or some other large 

fish. Ten fish perhaps.

Also sighted a small steamer,  

evidently British, making for Dakar.

During the night watches the sea 

especially in the wake of the 

Boonah, was full of gleaming 

phosperescent objects and all 

the water along the side the of our 

ship was one glowing mass .

Holme said the phosperescent 

objects were nautilus (Portugese 

menowar) at  and as I had seen 

several during the day I think 

he is correct. They give off a 

glow of pretty greenish tint, 

being especially brilliant when 

washed by a breaking wave 

there were thousands of theses 

making the sea look like a 

very dark sky full of brilliant 

stars. The Nautilus are shaped like 

this { picture of a jellyfish} this part being above 

the water acting as 

a sail and is purple 

in colour

Thursday 28/12/16

On being relieved on my last 

two hours watch my relief 

told me that a wireless message 

had come through stating that 

a submarine had been sighted 

just off Dakar. This news was 

confirmed, by the Captain during 

the morning and stated with some 

pretty forcible language that 

the men who swam to the 

Swedish boats in Dakar were 

a lot of-------fools and 

that in all probability these 

same vessels had given supplys 

to that submarine.

We left Dakar at 6am. the 

sub arrived at 5pm. so we 

missed her by eleven hours. 

Having a half holiday after being 

on guard, I went down to the

stern and hooked up Segrt Williams 

and he & the gunners explained 

all the parts of the gun to me.

It is wonderfully fitted up with 

sighting devices and works very 

eaisly they were delivered me the 

cartridges L S shells. I am quite 

confident that I could load & fire it.

Since leaving Dakar we have to 

live in our life belts night and 

day. Today during the morning 

the alarm went suddenly and 

all were upon the deck in record 

time. Quite a number thought it 

was dinkum.

We have kept a course a few 

points South of West since leaving 

Dakar and by now must be 

between 400 & 500 miles out from 

land and yet this evening a dragon 

fly came on board. This morning 

so must be some land close 

somewhere.

We have as escort the Orotava and 

one of the French cruisers.

[picture of a cruiser]

Gone of those we met in Serra Leone.

The Southern Cross still rises above 

the Southern horizon but only 

for a few hours.

Friday 29/12/16

Reveille was 20 minutes late 

this morning so had to hustle 

to fit a shower in.

Nothing exciting till 8.45 a.m.

when five ships were sighted 

on our port bow. We soon made 

them out to be the Kent & the 

four transports we left in 

Sierra Leone. They were travelling 

round in a circle waiting for our 

arrivals.

Corp G Cowan

22/11/16

At Sea]

Usual daily routine of French, Morse 

& Physical Drill, with the exception 

that we. were dismissed at 3p.m. 

instead of 4 p.m on account of a 

boxing match.

On meeting the other convoy we 

divided into 3 lines of three ships 

in each line, exclusive of the 

cruisers.

The Durham Castle, Marathon and 

a small troopship are on our port.

The Boonah, Argyllshire and 

the sister ship to Benalla are the 

centre line, the Afric, Port Nick 

Nicholson, & Benalla are in line 

on our starboard. You will 

see by this that being the centre 

of the convoy we have the safest 

position.

The Kent is leading us & the French 

cruiser Scouts away out on our 

starboard. The Orotava has 

gone back to Sierra Leone or 

wherever her station is.

As soon as we picked up the other 

convoy we changed our course 

from South West to nearly North 

and that is our Course at 

present.

Another man was buried from the 

Benalla this morning. We stood to 

attention while last post 

blown.

During the afternoon something 

went wrong on the Boonah. 

I noticed the Kent coming back 

on her course and ten (sound)

we are altering our course 

to miss the Boonah who was 

heaving to.

The Kent drew up alonside and 

sent a boat across. After about 

45 minutes delay the Boonah 

regained her poition. I heard 

something had gone wrong with 

her steering gear & that they 

had asked for a mechanic from 

the Kent.

We have been having lectures 

on bombs lately, also the bread 

has not been to good. Some one 

put up a notice where the news 

is generally put and hung a loaf 

near it. The notice read to this 

effect. That, a new bomb had 

been invented in the kitchen.

Outer casing made of segmented 

rubber and filled with the 

latest high explosive mixture. 

This is the common ration served 

out to troops & the Baker was 

taking out a patent for it.

Since altering our course the 

wind has increased and we are 

the sea is not beginning to rise.

Saturday 30/12/16

Very dark this morning when 

reveille went, They will have to 

alter the time of reveille or we 

will not be able to see to drill.

Usual morning parades.

During the morning parade 

we had to take back all money 

given to the purser for safe 

keeping as now we are in the 

danger zone he wont be responsible 

for it.

This afternoon of course was a half-

holiday. After having a good

sleep I swotted musketry. Regs. 14.

Tea this evening was not as grand 

as it might have been. There was 

no meat, bad bread (short at that) and 

jam & cheese, with a drink which

might have been either bad tea 

or rotten coffee to wash it down and 

with. The deck sergeant had a bad time 

when he came round for complaints.

On going on deck just after tea 

I found we were changing our course 

again, we are now travelling 

about North East.

The French cruiser has been absent 

all day so think she must have 

returned, unless she has gone to 

Cape Verde islands.

Sky is beginning to be overcast 

but wind at sea are the same.

Very pretty sunrise this morning just 

like we have in Australia.

Sergeant has just come down & 

announced that reveille is at 

a quarter to seven (6.45)am. breakfast 

as usual. This cuts out the early 

morning parade. This news was 

received with cheers.

The sea was full of for  great 

phosperscent masses, I am inclined 

to think they are a kind of 

jelly fish not nautila.

They want me to sign my name on 

the Y.M.C.A. war roll, I think 

I will go along & do so.

Sunday 31/12/16

Quite a treat being able to stay 

in bed till a quarter to seven, 

but found all the coffee finish 

finished.

church parade at 10.am and 

had to fall in and stand to 

attention while another man 

was buried from the Benalla 

at 2 p.m. Otherwise there have 

been no duties.

The adjutant preached at the 

Y.M.C.A service this afternoon.

He preaches a very good sermon 

and is given a good hearing.

The men turned in the end of his 

sermon that this would probably 

be the last Sunday we would

have him to preach, so I think 

he expects to reach England 

by about that time next Sunday.

Passed one small tramp going 

about S.E. during the  

morning and passed a passenger 

steamer going in the same dere 

direction during the afternoon. 

Wind a little stronger and sea 

rising spray beginning to come on 

board. The Boonah is rolling 

and hitching a great ^ deal, her 

propellor continually coming 

out of the water. till the others 

are riding fairly steadily.

Monday 1/1/17

Todays, being New Years days, 

was a holiday.

Nothing exciting has happened 

except the funeral or at least 

the supposed funeral of the 

monkey. The adjutant saw 

him yesterday and put the 

show away given, Word and orders 

were given for his immediate 

execution.

The monkey was plased in the a 

bag with a large piece of holystone, 

and borne on the shoulders 

of four men to the side and 

tossed overboard. Last post was 

blown by our buglar, most 

of the unit standing to attention.

The sergeant major appeared 

at the conclusion of the 

ceromony and took back 

the news of the monkeys' end. 

In reality, however he monkey 

is safely esconed in the crews 

quarters in charge of one of the 

crew. So he still has a chance.

Wind increased a little and 

getting much colder.

Raining and  a little and 

looking as if we are in for 

rough weather.

We are battened down now.

Afraid I shall have to sleep 

below to night.

Tuesday 2/1/17

Slept on deck last night after 

all. Several had gone on deck 

and Clements had just put his 

bunk down on the hatch, when 

'bump" we hit an extra large 

wave and up it came over 

the bows the wind catching 

the spray & carrying it all 

down the decks decks even 

whirling it into comparatively 

sheltered places, whetting all on 

deck.

There was a general rush down- 

below few caring to taken 

any more chances. Lucas & 

I and one two others decided 

to risk it however.

We went on top of the troops 

galley and spent a dry night 

although we had to make tie all 

our rugs down otherwise they 

would have blown away.

Usual daily routine with tin fish 

alarm thrown in a diversion.

Passed a three masted barque 

this morning, the first sailing 

ship we have seen under sail 

since leaving Australia. She was 

a long way off & although the 

tack she was on was bringing 

her closer our superior speed 

soon dropped her astern.

Sighted smoke a steamer a 

few minutes ago but to far 

off to make her out.

We have slowed down to wait 

for the marathon, who for some 

reason has dropped astern.

French cruiser sunk in Mediterranean 

sea. about chief news today.

Three of bills tin fish reported 

to be out & after us. All roughly wireless 

Wind not quite as strong & sea 

calmer today but getting much 

colder. Supposed to be level with 

Gibralter.

Wednesday 3/1/17

Parades today very easy going 

Capt, read to us half morning 

parade, the other half went in 

getting up our kit bags from 

the hold. I think & sincerely hope 

we will be able to keep them 

up now.

The afternoon parade consisted 

of a hammock inspection & 

payday.  This is our last pay before 

disembarking the sum of 10/- & 

brings the amount of pay received 

on board to ₤2. This I believe 

is the usual rate of pay on a 

troopship.

Sighted a three masted sailing ship 

this morning and smoke of a 

steamer this afternoon.

The rats seem to be increasing 

in numbers or else they ^ are showing 

themselves more. During the night 

they run about all over the decks, 

take short cut over hammocks & 

even the sleepers themselves. 

Today during the Y.M.C.A. service 

one was chased and across the 

hatch & dropped down among 

the congregation below. Had 

rather a disturbing effect.

Captain had afternoon coffee 

with us today. He happened to come 

round while we were having it, 

and on being asked to have some, 

sat down and joined us.

Had great difficulty in collecting 

money for the mess orderlies 

as all the pay is in half notes 

and there is practically no ^small change 

in the boat.

Time is being put to Greenwich