Papers of Athol Cluny McPherson - Part 13
allowed to come
over near us as there
was "Plague" in the
town I the name
of (the boat is "Kats
Moraghn") I don't
know moreover if that is
the way to spell
it. We got 45 men
& officers (4 officers)
German prisoners
off the Emden
they say they have
had enough of
war & say the
Sydney was too
hot for them &
that the night
before they were
sunk, they were
within five miles
of our fleet &
cleared out, not
knowing our
strength, as the
lights on our
boats were all
out they say their
loss one was 114
killed. The Sydney
is stated to have
fired nine shots
seven of which
took effect. The
Captain of the Emden
is on board but
as he wont give his
word of honour
that he wont try
to escape, he has an
armed guard over
him, he states that
he will escape before
he gets to Europe
& says that they
are making a mistake
by going through
the canal, as they
are sure to come
to grief. Whatever
are xxxxxxx
Tuesday 17th We saw
some of the natives
by our boat & some
of our fellows threw
silver coins over
& they dived after
them the dived
pretty often but
I dont think
they missed one
coin, the jump off
their boat just like
frogs & when they
are after the coins
they often turn
right over in the
water, they came
up alongside last
night about eleven
with straw & kicked
up a terrible row
they seemed to be
talking to each
other from one
end of the boat
to the other, the
Sentry on guard by
the prisoners thought
they were trying
to release the
german prisoners
so he fired his
rifle to frighten
them, I believe
they got a great
fright & didn't
know what to
do. We sailed
from Colombo
about 11 in the
morning.
Tuesday Wednesday Nothing of
note, we were drilling
during the day. The
Euripides & some of
the other transports
coming along behind
us having left Colombo
at six last night.
The Cruiser Hampshire
is ahead of us.
The latest we
heard about the
Syd^ney was that
she opened fire at
1500 yds & the Emden
at 1600, & out of the
first three shots
fired, the Emdens
masts & funnell
was blown away
killing 53 men
in all they say she
fired nine shots
7 of which took
affect. 250 miles
Thursday. Nothing of
note happened, two
men on guard
one on the ship gun
the other on the prisoners
we found supposed
to be asleep, the
one on the prisoners
got off. As it was
proven that he wasnt
asleep, the Lieutenant
that was supposed
to have copped him
asleep being mistaken.
He (the Lieutena^nt)
got a bit of a
talking to over
it, he saw the
fellow leaning on
the rail looking over
the side of the boat
& never went up to
see if he was asleep
but called the Guard
out to arrest. when
they got there he was
wide awake. Am
feeling a bit crook
today, think it
is the effects of
the vaccination
237 miles
Friday 22nd On guard
over the Prisoners, two
of the transports in collision
at night, but the damage
was slight, the Hampshire
had to play her search
light on them to see
what damage was done
on the outside as it
was about before daylight
that it occurred. When
on guard was put on
a post over the three
officers, "Bills Nephew"
the Captn & Second in
charge. The Cpt is very
like an Englishman
tall, thin & inclined
to be ginger, the sec
is dark & the Prince
is fair as far as I
can judge. The Cpt
seems very restless &
wouldn't be surprised if
he tried to escape
I know I kept a sharp
look out on the door
& windows at night
We are armed with
a full magazine
(ten) & one in the
breach or eleven in
all, xxx & fixed bayonet
as well. Distance 252
Saturday 23rd. Came
off guard at 10 am.
Had sports in the
afternoon also did
some washing, Received
a wireless message
saying that the Goleen
& Bresaleu had got
a bit of a shake by
the Russians but the
extent of the damage
is not known. 268 miles
Sunday, Church Parade
in morning & a march
round the deck for about
half an hour. Saw a
lot of "jelly fish" in
the water. We are
leaving the fleet
& it is reported
that we are going
straight on to Aden
as they are short of
provisions 267 miles.
Monday. On guard
over the prisoners again
over the officers. Passed
Sokotra Island
went on the right
side of it there are
said to be Cannibals
on it, it took us
about nine hours
to pass it. Sokotra
271 miles
Tuesday. Nothing of
note happened. Distance
257 miles
Wednesday Arrived
at Aden, but never
went right in
the town is built
on rocks, the wireless
Station, is on one
of the highest peaks
the roards all
seem to be zigging
the niggers dont
seem to be nearly
so intelligent as
the Colombo ones
there are scores
of Camels in the
town, we could see
them from the boat
& could also see
niggers running
about with big hats
on like umbrellas
The niggers came
round the boat
selling tobacco etc
but the Adjutant
hunted them by
firing a rifle off.
distance about 220 miles
Thursday Left Aden
about 7am, all
the transports with
us, th we were
quite close to
the coast on both
sides for about
six hours, Arabia
& Indian Africa
we came into the
red sea towards
night. Met two
Indian transports
on their way back.
One of the troops on deck
let his rifle off accidentally
the bullet hit the rope
& bounced back on
the floor, grazing his
arm & hand 71 miles
Friday 29th Nov Passed
a big Island in the
morning, with light house
on it, on ships guard
last night & today, in
the red sea but the
weather slightly cooler
the Hampshire stuck a
Merchantman up, but
let her proceed. 262
Friday Nothing of Note
happened 252 miles
Saturday Vaccination
in the morning
Oiled our boots in
the afternoon, we just
got word that we are
going to land at Suez
to fight against the
Turks 247 miles
Sunday 29th Nov away ahead
of the fleet having left
them at dinner time
yesterday, it is reported
that we are to garrison
at Ciaro Ciaro 282 mls
Mail closes tonight
Monday ^30th Arrived via Suez
about eleven 10.30 am.
the town seems to
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