Diary of Geoffrey Gordon McCrae, 1914 - Part 1

DIARY
of
VOYAGE
TRANSPORT
HORORATA-A-20

THE
CLARENCE
EXERCISE BOOK.
Geoff G McCrae
Written by
Captain 7th Bn A.I.F.
Subject Voyage Hororata
Commenced 18/10/14  Finished
DIARY OF VOYAGE
OF TRANSPORT "HORORATA" A20
(1) Sunday 18th Oct 1914  HOBSON'S BAY
Revielle 5 am left Broadmeadows 8.45 am
arrived at Port Melbourne Pier 9.15 am embarked
12 noon. Lunch 12.30 pm departed from pier at
3 p.m. and anchored off Gellibrand. "Southern" sailed
for Albany "Wiltshire" anchored close to us.
(2) Monday 19th Oct 1914  PORT PHILLIP & STRAITS
8 am weather fine "Wiltshire" sailed
8.30 am "Hororata" weighed anchor and followed
"Wiltshire" 11 am off Dromana passed French
barque "Ville de Mulhouse" Troops lined decks
and cheered massed bands played "Marscellaise"
12.30 pass through Rip and farewelled by garrison
put off pilot and stowaways and proceeded at
Half Speed 6.30pm cleared Cape Otway.
(3) Tuesday 20th Weather fine sea smooth
Whales on port side during morning 7pm 25'
Shark close under port quarter Took over duty
as captain of the day 

(4) Wednesday 21st Oct 1914  AUSTRALIAN BIGHT

Sea like mill pond weather fine

complimented on cleanliness of 7th Bn Troop deck

Had supper with Clarence and some songs in

the mess.

(5) Thursday 22nd Oct AUSTRALIAN BIGHT

Sea smooth with long swell

weather dull. 2.30 rain commenced and

continued till 7 pm. Had my first game

of chess with Major Bennett.  S.S. "Warilda"

passed to Starboard. reached centre of Bight

at 2 pm Commenced sword exercises at 4pm

(6) Friday  23rd Oct  AUSTRALIAN BIGHT

Sea smooth. Weather dull 2.30

rain commenced continued till 8 pm

had my first game of chess with Major

Bennett.

(7) Saturday 24th Oct.  AUSTRALIAN BIGHT.

Sea Smooth. Weather fine 3.50

Two steamers in sight on horizon on Starboard

bow moving west later proved to be "Afric"

and "Suffolk" 6 p.m. Took over duty as Field

officer 9 30 pm "Medina" passed east morsed

us good luck. inspected sentries at midnight.

(8) Sunday 25th Oct 1914

Sea smooth weather misty with

rain. rose at 3 45 when off Cape Vancouver

went on deck when Breaksea Island light

was abeam. Transports already in port become

visible "Wiltshire" "Southern" "Pera" Meera"

"Argyleshire" "Anglo Egyptian" "Benalla" at

anchor "Omrah" at pier we were followed into

port by "Afric" & "Suffolk" 11 pm Church parade

"Omrah" came out from pier and anchored to

port. SS Indarra put in for mails and sailed

immediately 12.30 "Shropshire" & "Sandala"

arrived and moved to their positions followed

later by "Arangitra" "Karoo" "Armadale" and

HMAS Melbourne

(9) Monday 26 Oct 1914  ALBANY

South eastery gale sea choppy

rain squalls parades cancelled Flag ship

"Orvieto" and transports "Hymettus" Clan McCorquadale"

All shore leave cancelled by Div. H.Q.

6.30 pm HMAS Melbourne having coaled

steamed out to her position at entrance of Sound

gale increases "Omrah" dangerously close

steam ordered and 15 fathoms more

cable put under water. Mails brought

by ships boat manned by 7th officers.

(10) Tuesday 27.10.14   ALBANY

Weather fine Sea choppy  Color

Sergeant O'Meara reported missing Search

party sent to patrol beach under 2nd officer

also boat from HAMS Melbourne without

success 5pm left anchorage and went

alongside railway pier to take in water

berthed at 6.30 followed by "Star of England

am inoculated with Typhoid feel very

seedy. "Katoomba" puts in for mails.

(11) Wednesday 28.10.14  SS Miltiades

arrives followed by HMS "Minautur" "Philomed

"Pyarmus" "Japenese" battleship and New

Zealand Transports Conference of CO's on

Flagship. we move out and take up anchorage

again. Laid out by inoculation retire to

bed C. Company Take up duty as ship's guard.

Weather fine sea smooth

(12) Thursday  29.10.14  ALBANY

Weather fine sea choppy feeling

better go on duty. 4.15 Fire stations. 4.30

mail arrives Major Farr pays us visit

turned in early.

(13) Friday 30.10.14  ALBANY

Weather ^Fine choppy sea. Was given

seat in boats crew to take Captain Cameron

ashore. Left "Hororata" at 11 and reached

Albany 12.10 fine sail before wind. Hunter

and I purchased several articles for men and

went for a motor spin to Middleton Beach

came back lunched at "White Star" bought

several more articles and went for a spin

in a car along Perth Road for Wild

flowers returned to pier and were towed the

seven miles to our anchorage by the Whaler

"Sorrell" at a fast rate through a rough

sea wet but exciting trip. Great six

round fight between two of the men. A Company

of 6th sent to the "Omrah" Signallers sent

to ships to which they were detailed. Took

over duty as Captain of the day. busy till 11pm

loading stores from Whaler "Sorrell".

(14) Saturday 31.10.14   ALBANY

Weather fine sea smooth

Busy morning as Captain of the

day. Again get seat in boat

for Albany. No wind rowed

as far as Mistaken Island and

are picked up by a whaler &

towed remaining mile. Reached

peir at 4pm and went up

to purchase stores returned to

boat at 5 pm and rowed out

to anchorage in two hours. Orders

received to have fleet under full

steam at 5 am.

(15) Sunday 1.11.14  Days Run 39.

Weather fine Sea smooth

The Flag ship "Orvieto" A3 leader of centre

division moved off at 6 am followed

by "Southern" A27 "Pera" A4 Annadle A24

"Saldanah" A124 "Katuna" A.13. "Hymettus" A1

"Suffolk" A23. "Anglo Egyptian". A25

Immediately followed by the Port Division

consisting of (in order of sail) "Wiltshire" A18

"Star of England" A15 "Geelong" A2 "Port

Lincoln" A17  "Karoo" A10 "Mareera" A21

"Clan McCorquordale" A.6. Followed by

Starboard Division at 7.30 "Euripides" A14

"Argyleshire" A8 "Shropshire" A9 "Afric" A19

"Benalla" A  "Rangitra" A22 "Star of Victoria"

A16. "Hororata" A20 "Omrah" A5 "Miltiades" A28

Cleared the Sound at 9 am followed by

the New Zealanders. Escort HMS Minatur

leading HMAS Sydney to Port HMAS

Melbourne on Starboard" 9.30 passed the

SS Katoomba and saw my first flying

fish Church parade 10.30 rested most

of day weather conditions freshen towards

evening "Omrah" continually getting

out of line. At 7 pm course altered a few points

to North. Rounded Leeuin at 2 am

(16) Monday 2.11.14  D.R. 227

Weather fine. Sea rough. "Omrah"

still having difficulty to keep position

Wireless came through from "Minuatur"

Stating Great Britain declared war on Turkey

In evening had war game in

which our side (Red) achieved

its object.

(17) Tuesday 3.11.14 (Cup day).  D.R. 212

Heavy sea. Bert Herghway contracted

measles. At 4 pm were joined by

"Medic" "Ascansius" carrying Western

Australian troops under escort of

Japanese battle cruiser and "Pyramus"

had musical evening Cup results 7.30 pm.

(18) Wednesday 4.11.14  D.R. 231

Heaving rolling during small hours

of morning books fall out of bookcase etc.

Weather fine heavy swell "Wanginui"

halts whilst operation for appendicitis

is performed. Half Company inoculated

for typhoid.

(19) Thursday  5.11.14   DR. 234

Weather fine. Take up duties as Captain

of the day. Dumped 2 tons of condemned

vegetables overside. H.M.S. Minuatur sailed.

through the fleet. Morning tea with Chief Freezer

Attended Lecture in afternoon. 4 pm RMS Osterley

showed up on Southern horizon 6 pm

great prize fight between members of B & A

Co. 6.15 "Osterley" passed very close in.

Passed Tropic of Capricorn 4.15 pm In evening

developed photos with Bennett & Luscton.

(20) Friday.  6.11.14.  D.R.  250

Sea smoothe weather dull. Enemy in

sight drill at 4 pm. all scuttles & ports closed

"men fallen" at messes and 4.7 guns prepared

for action. "Wireless heard from Minuatur

to Osterley" All cameras to be put under

lock & key by captain and all films

& plates destroyed no passengers to land

at intermediate ports all foreigners to be

placed under observation. and all letters

to be opened a read by captain and thence

forwarded to the nearest naval or military

authorities before transmission".

(21) Saturday  7.11.14  D.R. 255

Sea smooth weather fine "Wireless came

through notifying us of the engagement between

the British & German cruiser squadrons off

Valpariso and the suspected raid on Cencalla

by the Germans in United States. 8.30 pm

more enemy in sight drill all troops

assembled and all lights put out

with the exception of the compass &

lights in engine room below water.

Weather sultry sleep on deck.

(22) Sunday  8.11.14.  DR 234

Weather fine & Hot. sea smooth

6 am HMS Minuatur left station at

head of fleet and steamed down to

HMAS Melbournes station in rear

thence out of sight in a South

westerly direction. Melbourne goes

to front and takes Minuatur's Station

Church parade on deck at 10.30 am

"Euripides" leaves her station and

stops while she commits one of

her men to the deep. Willing brawl

with gloves occured on N^o2. Hatch.

before lunch. Finlayson made developer

in afternoon in evening all ships

lights were dimmed. At 9 pm Charlie

Lowe gave an evening to celebrate

his birthday & 13th anniversary of his

wedding day. Slept on lower bridge.

(23) Monday 9.11.14  D.R. 235.

Weather hot & sultry sea smooth

HMAS Sydney leaves station on west

of fleet and steams out of sight South

west at full speed. HMAS Melbourne

takes her place whilst Japanese battle

ship "Ibouki" manoeuvers further to

west. Whole of fleet blocked up. At

2.30 Wireless message received stating

German cruiser (supposed Emden) beached

herself in order to escape sinking after an

attack by British cruiser (? Sydney)

Marconi heard Emden sending code

messages but they were being jammed

by the British ships using there high

power plant and sending "Vs." during

the period before the message was

received our ship prepared for action

Ammunition for 4.7s was brought

up from Magazine and sent aft to

guns. Message was received with

greatest enthusiasm. At dinner

the skipper (Captain Cameron) proposed

the health of the "Youngest Navy in the

world". The Australian Navy. he said

he had no doubt that it was the

Emden that had been destroyed and

that it was the Sydney that had

done it unassisted in the Vicinity

of Cocos. Island from which spot

we were 50 miles east at 6.30 am

Clarence Luxton birthday celebrated

in festive fashion. Sleep on Bridge

Deck.

(24) Tuesday 10.11.14.   D.R. 250.

2.30 am was wakened by

ringing of ships telegraph. Steering gear

out of order ship had to be steered

by propellors remained of the fleet

out of sight at 7 am we again

reach our position Full particulars

received per wireless re Sydney Emden

Scrap which ran as follows.

"Sydney started for Cocos at 7 am and

at 9.30 am she had sighted the enemy

travelling at full speed she was able

to get within range in 20 minutes at

the same time she signalled that the

chase was speeding north. at 10.35 Sydney

was engaging enemy briskly and at 11.10 am

the latter had to beach herself to avoid

sinking her foremast and 3 funnels were

down but the flag was still flying. Sydney

then went after the enemy's collier took

the crew off and sank her. Sydney then

returned to Emden which surrendered

The extent and nature of German casualties

is not known but they are bound to be

severe Sydney's casualties 2 killed 13 wounded

Emden had time to destroy Wireless station

and cut one of the cables. The 2nd cable is

intact and probably the 3rd. All Instruments

were destroyed except one. Wireless & cable

operators deserve much praise for sticking

to their posts and sending out distress

messages and for saving instruments by

burying them. Another wireless from

Orvieto "It is noticed that in spite of

previous orders some ships continue to

throw boxes & cases overside they are

reminded that this is not a paper

chase." Restrictions on correspondence

"All mails from A.I.F. Transports will

be sent to Orvieto for censorship Open

letters, plain postcards and urgent telegrams

will be passed by censor for immediate

despatch provided all reference to ships

places & dates are omitted Closed letters 

and parcels will be delayed.

My ankle becomes very swoolen and I

go lame Dr Black attends me and

orders me to bed.

(25) Wednesday 11.11.14.   D.R. 243.

Very hot Weather fine Sea smooth

Spent very quiet day on account of

my ankle nothing of importance

occured. 6 pm took over Field officer

of the day's duties. Had supper with

Finlayson. Inspected the Guard at

12 midnight. Orvieto inspected the fleet.

(26) Thursday 12.11.14.  D.R. 257.

Rose at 5.30 am bathed and

went on deck at 6 am. Conference

being held between commanders of

Melbourne & Ibouki which ranged

close to one another and sent boats

to each other 7 am Both ships steam

to head of column Melbourne going

on ahead presumably to Colombo. Weather

fine but very muggy sea smooth.

1.30 pm Ibouki procceded east to meet

Steamer coming south which proved to be

Auxillary Cruiser "Empress of Asia"

which signalled "Good Luck Australia"

Men held "Father Neptune Ceremony"

6 pm handed over duties. After dinner

a trial by jury was held in officers

Mess Room it was a very humerous

affair. Freddy Tubb was the complaintant

Captain Mason Prosecutor with Capt Hankin

and Whitelaw as witnesses. The defendants

were Eller & Conder with Eric Connelly as

Councel Drs Williams & Gutteridge gave expert

evidence as to the sanity of Freddy Tubb

Myself Finlayson & Layh gave evidence

for the accused. Major Bennet was

Judge with Broad as associate. General

Swift acted as court crier and Jury

empanneled consisted of Capt Blizard

(Foreman) Hunter, Weddell, Wells, Mjr McNicoll

and Charlie Lowe. Inspite of overwhelming 

evidence in favor of the accused they

were found guilty and fined drinks

for the court & Spectators it being a

first offence they were allowed time

(five minutes) in which to pay. Freddy

Tubb was compelled to pay a similar

amount as costs. After we retired to

N^o 25 (The den of iniquity) for supper

which we made off iced beer and

sandwichs.

(27) Friday 13.11.14.  D.R. 242

Sea smoothe. Heavy rain. Crossed Line

at 8 am our first horse died and

was passed overside. The New Zealander

Orvieto,  Karoo, Rangitira went on

ahead of remainder of fleet in direction

of Colombo. All parades cancelled wrote

letters during morning. At 2 pm taken

over engine room and stokehold did

two hours trimming and wheeling in

Stokehold and Bunkers came up and

interviewed father Neptune was duly

shaved and ducked. had a bath and

went to N^o 25 for a game of cards.

6 pm took command of ships Guard.

(28) Saturday 14.11.14  D.R. 236.

Came off watch at 2 pm. Weather fine

Sea Smooth. Hot. Worked in Coal bunkers

2 pm to 3.30 pm. Fire Stations 4 pm. Afternoon

tea with Captain Cameron the Skipper 

Prize fight at 5.15. Spent evening in writing

letters

(29) Sunday 15.11.14.  D.R 249

4.30 am Sydney passed north with

"Empress of Asia" carrying wounded from

"Emden" engagement. Land in sight

on Starboard bow. Passed Point de Gal

at 7.30 am quite close in. Coming up