Diary of Geoffrey Gordon McCrae, 1914 - Part 2

the coast passed through hundreds
of Katamarans at noon we were
opposite Mount Levinia we were passed
by one of the Clan liners at 2 pm.
we anchored outside breakwater
The New Zealander's etc together with
Tboukie, Sydney, Empress of Asia and
a Russian Cruiser. Our anchorage was
exactly opposite the Galle Face Hotel
we could see the Rickshaws and
bullock carts quite plainly. Dutch
steamer Wilis came out of port
and cheered us. The Russian Cruiser
came out and anchored in front
of Port Division
(30) Monday 16.11.14 Colombo.
Weather fine and warm CO and
adjutant and six go on board "Owrets"
in afternoon took ships boat to Afric to
get punting press wind freshened took 3 hours to
row ¾ mile. having got press on board after much
difficulty owing to rough sea we returned to
Hororata under canvas passing launch 

carry German prisoners to "Omrah" Got alongside
had much difficulty in brooking on Westrey
tackle got my finger crushed and shinbone
splintered. In evening we steamed to a
position opposite entrance to [[Breakwater?]]
(31) Tuesday 17. 11.14 Colombo
At 7 am took Pilot on board and
went inside and took up anchorage abreast
of "Tbouki" Every anchorage was occupied
water boats came alongside and many Cingalese
hawkers and divers in afternoon party of
officers went ashore "Tboukie" put out to sea
and her place was taken by Russian
cruiser "Askold" 1st & 2nd Divisions left
for Aden at 10 am in morning at 7pm our
(3rd) Division followed 1st & 2nd at 12 Knots
I was put into Hospital by Dr Williams on
account of my leg.
(32) Wednesday 18.11.14  D.R. 189
Weather hot sea calm in hospital
(33) Thursday 19.11.14  D.R. 261
Weather hot sea very calm in hospital
 

(34) Friday 20-11.14  DR 276
Weather hot sea very calm In hospital
(35) Saturday 21.11.14 DR. 287
Weather hot sea very calm In hospital
5am Fleet at standstill owing to "Ascanius
having collided with "Shropshire" former
had her port bow knocked about the
latter had the starboard side of her
stern crumpled deck house smashed &
end of aft bridge knocked down no
lives lost. 3rd Division with exception
of Afric whose place was taken by "Ascanius
proceeded ahead of the fleet at 12½ knots
(36) Sunday 22.11.14  DR 298
Weather hot sea very calm in
hospital.
(37) Monday 23. 11.14 D.R. 299
Weather hot, sea very calm in
hospital. passed Island of Socotra
which lay about 30 miles to South of
us yet was plainly visible my leg
rapidly becoming better. 

(38) Tuesday 24. 11.14  DR 286
Weather hot, sea exceptionally calm
In hospital. Fog manouevres practiced
Each ship towing a barrel 120 yds astem
against which following ship kept her
bow sirens & foghorns blown at frequent
intervals. 3pm sighted coast of
Arabia.
(39) Wednesday. 25.11.14 D.R. 126 ADEN
Weather hot, sea calm In hospital
4.30 arrived off Aden and anchored
Orveits came in half an hour later
we took on pilot and proceed to the
inner harbour and anchored off steamer
point in company with "Shropshire"
"Ayreshire" "Miltiades" "Omiah" "Owieto" &
"Ascanius" Coaling operations commenced
at 10 a.m. method lighters brought alongside
both sides and a chain of niggers formed
hand bags from one to the other many
boat selling all kinds of different wares
From our anchorage the life of the
town could be seen camels drawing

water carts or busy ridden motor cars
and Indian troops doing garrison duties
Huge rugged hills tower above eastern side
of bay upon their highest point Signal
Station is situated and around their bases
the forts & barracks are situated on the
west an arid plain stretches far inland
to a distant mountain range on the sea
is situated a native settlement and salt works
In the evening one of my Corporals (McColl)
took it into his head to swim to the Owieto
a distance 800yds he was arrested on
arrival and brought back in a launch by
an officer of the 5th. Discharged from hospital
but not allowed to use my leg for a fortnight
(40) Thursday 26. 11.14 DR. 56
Weather fine hot Sea smooth. Got
Anchor up a 6 am and proceeded to
sea. The remainder of fleet and new
Zealanders having come up during
the night we proceeded in our original
order of sail under escort of Hampshire
Tbouki remained at Aden. All morning
and afternoon coasted along the
barren and sandy Arabian shore at
2pm Island of Peerim came into sight
at 4pm we had it and Babel mandib
abeam the facts recently [[demolited]] by
the Edinburgh were plainly visible
through glasses Peerim a low barren
Island with Lighthouse and signal
and coaling station and garrison of
a few Indian Troops. Russian steamer
was entering harbour as we passed
at the entrance the wreck of a steamer
was visible. Boxing match at 4.15 first
of the competion events fought. enter the
Red sea wonderful sunset in rear
of hills on African shore passed
several Indian transports returning
empty one the Sutley was numbered
152 showing the vast fleet which is
being employed conveying troops to
the front. New Zealanders go on ahead
at a faster rate in order to clear
canal for us.

(41) Friday 27.11.14 DR 264
Weather fine and hot following
wind sea smooth 8 am passed the
Twelve Apostles and several Indian
Transports at 12 noon H.MS Hampshire
stopped a steamer she was allowed
to go on her way being a British vessel
carrying pilgrims to Mecca Passed several
troopships during day at 4.15 Several
more events in Boxing Tourny were fought
Dutch steamer passed North. Geelong
dropped astern out of her position reason
not yet ascertained
(42) Saturday 28.11.14 DR 258
Weather very hot following
wind sea smoothe. All parades
and lectures cancelled owing to heat.
At 11pm wireless received ordering
A.I.F to complete training at Cairo
Egypt. much excitement amongst.
troops and many wild surmises &
theories put forward. Owreto proceeded
ahead at full speed and was out
of sight when we came on deck
after lunch. Fire stations at 4pm.
wind came round ahead making
matters much more bearable. 6 more
events in boxing tournament were
fought. Freddy Tubb celebrated his Birth

day in the evening
(43) Sunday 29.11.14 D.R. 250.
Devine service 8.30 p.m. at
10.30 Mess meeting arrange farewell supper
to Ships Officers, and presentation of purse
of soverigns (31) to replace money which was
stolen from him. Inspection of Mess Utensils
and bedding preparatory of handing over
to ship. Took some photos of Marconi in
afternoon and played cards with Tubb
and DeRavin 4pm Colonel Semmens gave an
afternoon tea to the members of the Old
Victorian Militia Officers there were 16 of
us present including the Skipper. Take
over commands of ships Guard. Helped
Bert Laigh make up the mess accounts
of both regiments.
 

(44) Monday 30.11. 1914 DR. 246
Weather fine strong head
wind sea moderate. From 10.30 am
sit on Court Martial till 4.30 pm.
Received Company's pay and paid
same to members, 9.30 Farewell Supper
to Ships officers.
(45) Tuesday 1. 12. 1914 DR. 238
Weather fine sea smoothe
arrived off Suez 8.5 am and anchored
Took on search light equipment at
12 noon 12.30 2nd Division arrived
4pm 3rd Division arrived and New
Zealanders commenced to proceed
up the Canal. 8pm Ships of 3rd Division
commence to go up canal we were
detained not having been granted
pratique owing to the Doctor being
unable to find the ship in the dark
10pm pilot came on board and ships
people stood by to sail but we
remained at Anchor for the
night. 

(46) Wednesday 2.12. 1914 DR. 22
Left Anchorage at 8 a m just as
another fleet of transports (13) under
escort of a French Cruiser arrived from
India, Entered Canal at 8.30 and
passed administration settlement of Canal
Co. opposite which was a post of Indian
troops these posts were established at
about 1 miles interval along the
whole length of the canal on the
east side as far as Gare de Cap from
there on to Port Said the country was
inundated. We passed several ships
on the way through who accorded us

                                                            (did)
a splendid reception as well as, ∧ the
Ports of Gurkas, Pioneers, Beluchastan Rifles
and Manchasters. Anchored off Port Said
at 11 pm just opposite Custom House
and commenced to coal took in 850
tons in four hours.
(47) Thursday. 3.12.1914 DR. 65
Beisieged by [[bunn]] boats and
minstrels French Hydroplane passed
 

over us doing an ariel recconnaisance
we at 1pm we sailed for the fairway
and anchored till 6pm we then
went on for Alexandria I went to bed
with very bad throat having completely
lost my voice
(48) Friday. 4.12.1914 DR 120
Arrived off Alexandria at 5.30 am
and went into the Harbour at 8am
There were over 25 captured steamers belong to
Germany & Austria anchored inside. The
people with measles were sent ashore in a
launch. Saw a party of German prisoners of
war landed. Many boats selling post cards
and fruit were around the ship all day
(49) Saturday 5.12.1914
At 1am five men escaped from
the ship in a ships boat which they
lowered they were chased by the 2nd
Officer the officer of the Guard and a party
of men, the boat was discovered bumping
badly on the rocks. 

GEOFF MCCRAE