Notebook 2 of Vivian Agincourt Spence Little, 1914- Part 4

that despite the animosities fomented by war, there was a tie

of brotherhood amongst men enemies and strangers. For "one touch

of nature makes the whole world Kin". One day we are

scientifically blowing them to pieces, next day we mend them

and heal them as brothers, sharing ourselves to meet their supply them with

comforts. - Such is the absurd ride of war - its futility.

Fortunately the weather, except for a few tropical showers,

during the rain was fine, though rather warm. The wounded

were located wherever space could be found. Our own were

in the wardroom most of the time. German wounded filled

the waist deck and starboard passageway and some were

upon the quarterdeck. The decks aft looke had the

appearance of an improvised hospital. Truly it was

a horrible experience, those days! Suffering everywhere,

men groaning in their misery, men dying, and one had

the feeling that despite all efforts under the circumstances

nothing more could be done than was being done.

The ship was carefully disinfected at Columbo and made

fresh and clean again.

I was much struck with the appearance of many

 

of the Germans. Their physique was fine, their reserve of strength

must have been enormous, their capacity for enduring pain

shockin considerable. Most of them bore their wounds very

bravely. They had to endure transport in a litter, then in

a pitching boat, then medical attention after the wounds

had stiffened - and many of them were unflinching.

The moderately wounded were transferred at to the

"Empress of Russia" a fine C.P.R. ship (20000 tones 20 Knots)

which we met at sea on the way to Columbo. Several

German officers and the Chinese from the "Buresk" were

also sent on board.

We were informed that the "Linden's" crew totalled

360 men at the time of the action but there is reason to

believe she had 400 or more on board. The Germans

acknowledged 190 killed in action. The landing

[*some dispute re numbers

stated in Prize Court that

120 Killed 140 prisoners

perhaps*]

party of 43 men (3 officers and 40 men) which was

sent to destroy the Cable Station, escaped. When the

"Emden" saw our smoke, she blew her whistle as a signal

for this party to return, but we came up to quickly, she

could not wait, so steamed off to meet us. When this

 

 

landing party saw that the "Emden" was destroyed, they took

possession of a schooner belonging to the Cable station and

provisioned her for a two four month's voyage wh with food they

procured from the Company's stores. They set sail in the

afternoon after the action for some convenient port. We

heard months afterwards, the party reached some port in

Arabia, Turkish territory in safety. After the action

we sent a landing party in two boats to protect the island.

Before they landed, one of the Cable Co.s Officials sailed off

and informed our party that the Germans had gone. Had

our party landed it would have been serious as the Germans

were very well provided with arms, having 4 maxims and

2000 rounds for each, and other arms in sufficiency, so

it was said.

We caused a good deal of interest on arrival at Columbo.