The daily Fred
Freetown, and then back to sea. But the star of this bit is the tin of cocoa.
They also get news of a British ship sinking. Fred also 'exchanges confidences' with a mate about missing his family. Very blokish. He also gets an admirer of his sketching.
SUN. 20TH
Sunday again, I am feeling as fit + well as ever, in spite of the great heat. I've had a nice bath again, I can get one any time I like, the only trouble is, I can't get my shirt washed very well, it is very awkward for fresh water + the soap won't lather in salt water. After service I've got a decent book, so shall find a cool place + lay + read. The captain is to give us a lantern lecture tonight. So ta ta again.
MON: 21ST
Another boiling hot morning, + still off Freetown. The usual round of duties start again, its a bit too bad, in this heat. The newness of the place has died down, a bit, but I can still revel in the beauty of the place. I wish I could get a photo of the place. Our letters left for home yesterday all being well they will reach home about the time we get Capetown, that will make you at home to have been five weeks and no news. I feel very much grieved for your share of the compact.
For a short while every day a feeling of depression comes over me, I think about the time when I get back, + then it occurs to me, what a long time it might be, and I feel awful. I could go away to myself and sob, but I have to gulp it + it passes off, but it is so cruel while it lasts, and I can't help it try as I will. Fred + I exchanged confidences the other day + he has the same experience. Never a day passes without it.
3.30 P.M. We've just set steam again on the second stage of our journey. We have picked up some addition to our number, we are now 13 troopships + H.M.S. Kent the battle cruiser is our escort.
The great big hills of Africa are fading away, I suppose we shall get inside that ring again, for another 14 days. There is no fear of submariners now, our only danger is mines + a possible raider.
TUE 22ND
Clocks put forward this morning. It is a terrific morning, I don't think I shall be sick, but every time the boat reels, my head goes dizzy. Great seas are sweeping the decks, we can see the rollers coming, and break on the ships nose + swamp the whole ship, it just seems to be trying its worst, it is terrific.
The storm has passed now + the sea is quite calm again, we've no parades so it means an idle day. I've nothing more of interest.
WED 23rd
It was quite peaceful when we turned in last night, I had my usual perch on deck, but during the night a gale sprang up + made it very interesting. I woke about 2.30 a.m. starved through with no covering. My blanket had blown off, it was pitch dark + you can imagine me in my shirt, crawling about the deck looking for a loose blanket. I got it eventually about ten yards away. It was a farce. The storm is still going it but not so bad. We are getting fed up with this job now, it is too slow, we are only travelling 10 knots per hour, "about twelve miles".
Maygor found a tin of cocoa in his overcoat pocket, his sister put it in on leave, so we went into my mess room "its better than theirs", we'd bought a tin of swiss milk, and made a cup each. I managed to square one of the cabin boys to bring us a bit of supper + it was alright.
THUR. 24th
We've crossed the line during the night, but have not felt much difference in the temperature. I suppose now, each day will be cooler until we reach Cape Town. Our voyage now is less interesting than ever, we don't see any fish, or birds, never see another ship, except our own convoy and we are about half a mile apart, it’s a case of reading, sleeping + smoking till bed time.
FRID 25th
I've one weeks pay due to day. Its' a beautiful morning a shade cooler which feels nice. For some reason or other there's no water turned on yet + it is 8 a.m.. Nobody washed or shaved + no coffee for breakfast.
We've just received news of the sinking of "Transylvania" also of a French fishing boat driving off a submarine in the Bay of Biscay. How thankful one feels that God has taken care of us as we passed through the Bay. Our thoughts are back at home + wondering how they are feeling with that news, and us out here. Poor old girl I am sorry for you.
We've just been having a sleep + the weather has changed, the rain + wind have come again, a thick mist has developed + it is anything but cheerful.
SAT 26TH
Another Sat. they keep coming, it’s a bit cooler, by jove it has been hot, it is hot now but not so much as previously. As we lay in bed with just a blanket single across our legs, we are all wet with sweat. We are still pegging at it inside that ring. We can't write letters, and we can't receive any, no news from home for so long, its very hard to bear, the time seems a lot longer, as we feel so much isolated.
I've amused myself a bit with a few rough sketches, + a young fellow happened to see one, and thought me a marvel, he wants to try himself, he is scribbling on every bit of paper he can get hold of, he follows me all over to show them to me and ask my opinion. I could laugh at him, for he has no more idea than a child, he's not as clever as Edna.
What a lovely sight the sunset are here, tonight is a beauty ((tiny sketch)). Red, pink, green, all colours. It is a glorious sight. One of the sailors showed me some stars, only to be seen in the Southern Hemisphere the Southern Cross ((diagram)) as plain + distinct as that, that will prove I've travelled. Bow wow.
They also get news of a British ship sinking. Fred also 'exchanges confidences' with a mate about missing his family. Very blokish. He also gets an admirer of his sketching.
SUN. 20TH
Sunday again, I am feeling as fit + well as ever, in spite of the great heat. I've had a nice bath again, I can get one any time I like, the only trouble is, I can't get my shirt washed very well, it is very awkward for fresh water + the soap won't lather in salt water. After service I've got a decent book, so shall find a cool place + lay + read. The captain is to give us a lantern lecture tonight. So ta ta again.
MON: 21ST
Another boiling hot morning, + still off Freetown. The usual round of duties start again, its a bit too bad, in this heat. The newness of the place has died down, a bit, but I can still revel in the beauty of the place. I wish I could get a photo of the place. Our letters left for home yesterday all being well they will reach home about the time we get Capetown, that will make you at home to have been five weeks and no news. I feel very much grieved for your share of the compact.
For a short while every day a feeling of depression comes over me, I think about the time when I get back, + then it occurs to me, what a long time it might be, and I feel awful. I could go away to myself and sob, but I have to gulp it + it passes off, but it is so cruel while it lasts, and I can't help it try as I will. Fred + I exchanged confidences the other day + he has the same experience. Never a day passes without it.
3.30 P.M. We've just set steam again on the second stage of our journey. We have picked up some addition to our number, we are now 13 troopships + H.M.S. Kent the battle cruiser is our escort.
The great big hills of Africa are fading away, I suppose we shall get inside that ring again, for another 14 days. There is no fear of submariners now, our only danger is mines + a possible raider.
TUE 22ND
Clocks put forward this morning. It is a terrific morning, I don't think I shall be sick, but every time the boat reels, my head goes dizzy. Great seas are sweeping the decks, we can see the rollers coming, and break on the ships nose + swamp the whole ship, it just seems to be trying its worst, it is terrific.
The storm has passed now + the sea is quite calm again, we've no parades so it means an idle day. I've nothing more of interest.
WED 23rd
It was quite peaceful when we turned in last night, I had my usual perch on deck, but during the night a gale sprang up + made it very interesting. I woke about 2.30 a.m. starved through with no covering. My blanket had blown off, it was pitch dark + you can imagine me in my shirt, crawling about the deck looking for a loose blanket. I got it eventually about ten yards away. It was a farce. The storm is still going it but not so bad. We are getting fed up with this job now, it is too slow, we are only travelling 10 knots per hour, "about twelve miles".
Maygor found a tin of cocoa in his overcoat pocket, his sister put it in on leave, so we went into my mess room "its better than theirs", we'd bought a tin of swiss milk, and made a cup each. I managed to square one of the cabin boys to bring us a bit of supper + it was alright.
THUR. 24th
We've crossed the line during the night, but have not felt much difference in the temperature. I suppose now, each day will be cooler until we reach Cape Town. Our voyage now is less interesting than ever, we don't see any fish, or birds, never see another ship, except our own convoy and we are about half a mile apart, it’s a case of reading, sleeping + smoking till bed time.
FRID 25th
I've one weeks pay due to day. Its' a beautiful morning a shade cooler which feels nice. For some reason or other there's no water turned on yet + it is 8 a.m.. Nobody washed or shaved + no coffee for breakfast.
We've just received news of the sinking of "Transylvania" also of a French fishing boat driving off a submarine in the Bay of Biscay. How thankful one feels that God has taken care of us as we passed through the Bay. Our thoughts are back at home + wondering how they are feeling with that news, and us out here. Poor old girl I am sorry for you.
We've just been having a sleep + the weather has changed, the rain + wind have come again, a thick mist has developed + it is anything but cheerful.
SAT 26TH
Another Sat. they keep coming, it’s a bit cooler, by jove it has been hot, it is hot now but not so much as previously. As we lay in bed with just a blanket single across our legs, we are all wet with sweat. We are still pegging at it inside that ring. We can't write letters, and we can't receive any, no news from home for so long, its very hard to bear, the time seems a lot longer, as we feel so much isolated.
I've amused myself a bit with a few rough sketches, + a young fellow happened to see one, and thought me a marvel, he wants to try himself, he is scribbling on every bit of paper he can get hold of, he follows me all over to show them to me and ask my opinion. I could laugh at him, for he has no more idea than a child, he's not as clever as Edna.
What a lovely sight the sunset are here, tonight is a beauty ((tiny sketch)). Red, pink, green, all colours. It is a glorious sight. One of the sailors showed me some stars, only to be seen in the Southern Hemisphere the Southern Cross ((diagram)) as plain + distinct as that, that will prove I've travelled. Bow wow.