Diary of Lindsay Robert Turner, 1919 (Vol. 7) - Part 7

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had an excellent opportunity at

seeing the luxurious growth of vegetation

we ran into a storm a short while

after the first rain experienced since

Gibraltar. Evening was made

interesting by the glorious sunset

directly in rear of us a beautiful

combination of colours stretching

down to the horizon and making

a still more beautiful reflection

on the still surface of the sea.

21/4/19. We know that before another

dawn was enfolded we should be

in Colombo Harbour and all hands

spent the day more or less in

expectation of that to the detriment

of work of a more or less energetic

type. A distinct swell was making

itself felt but the boat responded

hardly at all to the vagaries of the

sea. Being Easter Monday we

decided that it called forth something

extra in the way of an evening 

entertainment so a trial was proposed

by C.M. in which unfortunately I

figured as the accused following

on a small incident in the bath

It created some amusement and

passed off quite succesfully and

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we all went off to bed wondering

whether the morrow would see us

tackling paw-paws and quaffing

fun things.

28/4/19. It was long before dawn when

I heard the anchors being let down

and the engines fluttering in the

last throes. We were expected to

run into harbour at 6 but were

there at 4. It was a distinctly hot

day but we all dressed early in

anticipation of a trip ashore and
a renewal of acquaintanceship with
with one of the most delightful places

I've been in. All went well for we
were scrambling into a boat to be

rowed ashore by 9.30 permission

having been granted to remain
until 5.30. After a Cooling drink
at the G.O.H. we ordered a car and
flew thro' well remembered Scenes

to Mt. Lavinia the same  dingy native
shops, the same Avenues of palms
and the same Glorious scene from

the broad veranda of the Hotel On
the way back we visited the Temple

pulling up at that most memorable
of all places the Galle Face Hotel

where we had spent a wild night on
 

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the occasion of our last visit. It

was too hot to do much so we

fed and wandered about in

rickshaws getting back to the boat

just in time for dinner.

23/4/19 Owing to delay in Coaling we did
not pursue our way last night as
was hoped but expect to go tonight
at 6. Consequently permission was
again open for shore leave and
quite a number availed themselves
of the privilege some being courageous
enough to attempt to reach Kandy. It

was too hot to change so I decided

to remain on board, moreover I was
getting interested in "Joan and  Peki"
and saw a good opportunity of finishing

it.  All were back on board by 5 and
as soon as 4 bells were sounded

we were heading for the Entrance.  It
was Good to be on the move again

for then and there only are we sure
to reach home sometime or other

The Coal has been pronounced of

superior quality to that weve been
using here before so we're hopeful

that we shall push on with

Greater Speed tho' land won't be Sighted

for 12 days at least /

 

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24/4/19 It was hard to settle down
after two days of Comparative freedom

moreover it seemed even hotter than 

when ^we were lying in Colombo Harbour
and indolence reigned supreme.

The Ship's Command were able to 

lay in a stock of fresh food and

fruit of which Ceylon abounds and

even for that the loss of two days was

worth while. One remembers Eather

vividly this day just twelve months 

ago. I was at  Perrois on my way 

up to the line and our own Battery

was being shelled to some Order

by the Huns who that night were

in possession of Villers Brettoneux

The scene of our advance on a
still more memorable August 8th.

It fills one with keen and undisguised
pleasure the very thought

of being on our way home while 
recalling all that we've passed thro'

since this day 12 months ago

25/4/19. The Anniversary of a day of
stirring events - "Anzac Day" - It would

in Australia be a day of much
rejoicing but here in our restricted

sphere we had to do the best we could

with a memorial Service in the

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morning sports in the Afternoon and
a very fine Concert in the evening
so altogether we were able to fill                    
in the day quite well . We Crossed the

Line during the night but as all
had been "thro the Mill" at least  once

before it was decided to take

no notice of the event. It is if
Anything getting decidedly hotter
owing to the increased humidity but

few clothes and the expectation of

cooler weather down south keep our
spirits on the up Grade.  There was
not much diversity about the

sporting events but an opportunity
was given for all to enter even the
nurses . who showed their prowess

driving 2" nails into a plank.

26/4/19  Those of us who slept on

deck Complained bitterly on
waking up of the vagaries of the weather

a cool breeze was blowing when we

turned in but very soon it grew

intensely hot then the Clouds rolled
up and any not under Cover

were soon scrambling for shelter
to dodge the tropical downpour
We Knew that would mean stifling

conditions almost and so it  proved

for we couldn't get Cool all day

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still we were ploughing thro the

waves to the tune of 200 miles a
day and going on the right direction

and should be in Fremantle in a

little over a week and that will 
be Australia. We have decided to 

publish a Ship's Magazine as a

memento of the trip and as a

printing press is on board the 

matter can be easily arranged.

27/4/19. The first indication that 
we were approaching the land  of
icebergs made itself felt in the 

bath this morning a  distinct 
fall in the temperature  of the

water was noted by Nearly Everyone

who indulged in a bath tho' the

atmosphere was no better.  We

had another violent downpour

of Rain during the night but that

is quite feasible at this time of 

the year owing to the Monsoons.  In 
India and Ceylon May is their

wet month so we were fortunate
in just missing that.  We passed

the " Demosthenes" . - needless to say
she was Going in the  Opposite direction
early this morning  We at first

thought it must be the "Orsova" as

she was hereabouts but glasses
convince us to the Contrary.

 

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28/4/19. We are into Another Week

Again and speculation is rife as

to how many more Sundays we

are to spend on board. Study
seems to be a thing of the past

the mere fact that we are on our 
last Run before Sighting the land 
we all look for has a  Kind way

to unbalance one and personally

indulgence in horse play of a

wild character seems one's only
hope.  I have even given up Reading 
Novels tho' a stray book of Charles

Garirce nearly tempted me
this morning.  We indulge 
in Deck Quoits  or deck tennis

and as the Sun is beginning to
lessen its powers Considerably

we are able to Get a daily Sunbath.

Owing to the propensities of some

of the Sisters the S.M.O. has banned

"Meditation 'Neath the Stars" and

as soon as lights are extinguished
the fair sex must be securely

locked in their Cabins  They aren't

even allowed to sleep on deck.

 

 

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29/4/19   We aren't to be allowed
to boast of never having missed

a meal that's evident for early

this morning the wind blew

and huge were the breakers that 
dashed against the bow  our

schooner will Certainly be obliged
to cut its speed and that will

 throw our  welcome home Still

further into the dim and distant

future. Basking in the Sun is

a pleasurable occupation however

and except for a keen desire to 
be home again fills the bill.
Splendidly None of us succumbed

to Mal de Mer tho all Complained

of Symptoms very much akin
to it but bed is a wonderful
antidote and we sought that

sublime haven early.

30/4/19 What a Crash to be sure
and Certainly was Responsible
for the disappearance of the

Chief Engineer from our [[Ken?]]  at

Midday the mileage recorded 

for the previous 24 hours was

only 198 miles the usual being

 

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260 but the wind will blow and

be it said with some force directly

head on. We have arranged another

doubles tournament at deck

tennis Commencing tomorrow
and if for nothing else it Creates

some Considerable Amount of
interest. We had passed Cocos

Island during the night the scene 
of the "Sydney- Emden" fight and
expected some wireless message

from Fremantle but difficulty

was experienced in picking up

the Station there so Fremantle

itself was  tried with success.
We expect to arrive there next 
Tuesday.

1/5/19 "May day" the first of

a new month and the anniversary

of my enlistment and when

we left England we fully expected 
to be Celebrating at home. We

recorded another Short Run

This time 204 miles but the

Gale  is  Sure dispersing. At
least it will accustom us to

the Australian Bight,  We had

 

 

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some sterling Games in the deck

Tennis Tournament  and play the 
semifinals tomorrow.  The wind
has Certainly moderated and

tomorrow we May Expect to get

back to our Old Speed.  A wireless

message from Fremantle arrived

during the night Greetings from

One Holman to the New South
Wales Troops on board.  It seemed

merely a stereotyped affair
but we noticed the Victorian

Government did not deign To Go

to the expense of Sending us
Victorians such a message.

2/5/19. Just such a day as the 

preceding one little wind and
a calmer sea and at midday
the log showed 240 miles.  We
progress we do. The event of 
the day was the final of the
tennis tournament which

took place at 2.30 hour

that Gave a little of the

Davis Cup touch to the proceedings