My grandfather George Townesend's journal
Transcription
Transcription history
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May 5th Mileage travelled up to noon 195
Going strong zig zagging all over the face of the waters, the compass has shown a course of E SE SW N NW S & SW at different times in the morning so I suppose we have been round a circle this morning. 16 hours after leaving port a thrush came on board this was looked on as good luck for us. This afternoon a swallow visited us, what became of these birds I do not know, I hope they reached land. This afternoon we ran into a fog bank and one of the TBD's came to within about 2 or 300 yds and escorted us personally till it cleared a bit when we found we were a long way behind and out of sight of the rest of the convoy, we are now trying to catch up, the TBD still standing by us. We are supposed to be about the NE corner of the Bay of Biscay but it is extremely calm. The water is slightly phosphorescent tonight. We are steering SW. No bugle calls allowed on board. I slept in my clothes with a life belt round my neck & revolver ready on Sam B. belt ready for emergencies last night & shall do so again tonight. We are supposed to have done about 250 miles in the 1st 24 hours (275 was the figure).
May 6th Sunday 275 + 195 = 470
I was Watch Officer this day (Sunday) 8-12 in the morning & 8-12 at night. Went the rounds of the Ship with the DC Adj QmMr (Holland) and various other Officers. There was a short voluntary undenominational service on the Upper Deck which I attended. Yesterday we passed two lifeboats lashed together & today much wreckage which looks as if the Hunn has had a bit of luck recently and is also keeping us in a state of gentle expectancy. Here is a great lack of shipping we have only seen 1 steamer other than our own. Two of the 4 Transports who left Plymouth just before us arrived during the night with the awaiting cruiser Marmarah who is to escort the 10 of us all the way about noon the other two turned up and the TBDs left us about 4 o'clock. We were all sorry to see them turn off at full speed. A certain amount of gun firing was heard this morning but nobody knows anything about what it was. It was a long way off anyhow. To bed in my clothes at 12 midnight dead tired.
May 7th 260 +470 = 730
We are getting along fairly well No 5 Coy under Phillips and self are gradually finding themselves they are draft No 1444 and consist of just about 300 men MJ ASC Ford drivers heavy duty caterpillar drivers blacksmiths turners and fitters wheelwrights etc etc. They are chiefly recruits who have only joined up about a month! I am learning Physical Jerks so as to be able to give them some. Something of this sort is absolutely necessary as they cannot get enough exercise on board otherwise.
We have seen three steamers at different times two going back to England & 1 overtook and passed us also a schooner under full sail passed through the convoy she was within 200 yds of us and made a very pretty sight. Yesterday was a dull day but there has been a bright warm sun today and the wind has freshened this afternoon but the sea is still comparatively smooth still. I am getting very burnt & the skin on my face is very tender I am feeling as fit as fiddle. The gramophone is going again so I suppose we are out of the danger zone. Thank God.
May 8th Tuesday. 243 + 270 = 973
Rough and squally day the ship rolling quite a lot many down with sickness I expect I shall go through it myself tonight. I have felt as fit as a fiddle on deck but the dining room and cabin are rather trying. We are supposed to be 1,000 miles W of Gibraltar. It is a glorious night though rough. The foam quite phosphorescent. 2nd dose of inoculation for Typhoid arm getting rotten.
May 9th Wednesday. 246 + 973 = 1219
Arm has been rather painful but is getting on all right I think. Have arranged with Furgusson to pay men what they want up to what I hold for them of the money I received for them from Bath. It is only a fortnight's pay in all I must try to get them some more at Durban but I doubt if I shall be successful. It has been another glorious day today hot sun and plenty of wind the sea very blue and rough. Many men sick but I have managed not to actually see one at it so I am still all right! Holland was censoring letters a day or two ago he came across one that finished "Well dear God bless & protect you from yr loving husband George."
May 10th Thursday. 223 + 1219 = 1442
There was a storm last night with thunder lightening rain I am glad to say slept through it. There was much more wind & a high sea running this morning waves 30 to 40 ft high one of the signal ropes went wrong and a sailor went up to put it right.
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May 5th Mileage travelled up to noon 195
Going strong zig zagging all over the face of the waters, the compass has shown a course of E SE SW N NW S & SW at different times in the morning so I suppose we have been round a circle this morning. 16 hours after leaving port a thrush came on board this was looked on as good luck for us. This afternoon a swallow visited us, what became of these birds I do not know, I hope they reached land. This afternoon we ran into a fog bank and one of the TBD's came to within about 2 or 300 yds and escorted us personally till it cleared a bit when we found we were a long way behind and out of sight of the rest of the convoy, we are now trying to catch up, the TBD still standing by us. We are supposed to be about the NE corner of the Bay of Biscay but it is extremely calm. The water is slightly phosphorescent tonight. We are steering SW. No bugle calls allowed on board. I slept in my clothes with a life belt round my neck & revolver ready on Sam B. belt ready for emergencies last night & shall do so again tonight. We are supposed to have done about 250 miles in the 1st 24 hours (275 was the figure).
May 6th Sunday 275 + 195 = 470
I was Watch Officer this day (Sunday) 8-12 in the morning & 8-12 at night. Went the rounds of the Ship with the DC Adj QmMr (Holland) and various other Officers. There was a short voluntary undenominational service on the Upper Deck which I attended. Yesterday we passed two lifeboats lashed together & today much wreckage which looks as if the Hunn has had a bit of luck recently and is also keeping us in a state of gentle expectancy. Here is a great lack of shipping we have only seen 1 steamer other than our own. Two of the 4 Transports who left Plymouth just before us arrived during the night with the awaiting cruiser Marmarah who is to escort the 10 of us all the way about noon the other two turned up and the TBDs left us about 4 o'clock. We were all sorry to see them turn off at full speed. A certain amount of gun firing was heard this morning but nobody knows anything about what it was. It was a long way off anyhow. To bed in my clothes at 12 midnight dead tired.
May 7th 260 +470 = 730
We are getting along fairly well No 5 Coy under Phillips and self are gradually finding themselves they are draft No 1444 and consist of just about 300 men MJ ASC Ford drivers heavy duty caterpillar drivers blacksmiths turners and fitters wheelwrights etc etc. They are chiefly recruits who have only joined up about a month! I am learning Physical Jerks so as to be able to give them some. Something of this sort is absolutely necessary as they cannot get enough exercise on board otherwise.
We have seen three steamers at different times two going back to England & 1 overtook and passed us also a schooner under full sail passed through the convoy she was within 200 yds of us and made a very pretty sight. Yesterday was a dull day but there has been a bright warm sun today and the wind has freshened this afternoon but the sea is still comparatively smooth still. I am getting very burnt & the skin on my face is very tender I am feeling as fit as fiddle. The gramophone is going again so I suppose we are out of the danger zone. Thank God.
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May 5th Mileage travelled up to noon 195
Going strong zig zagging all over the face of the waters, the compass has shown a course of E SE SW N NW S & SW at different times in the morning so I suppose we have been round a circle this morning. 16 hours after leaving port a thrush came on board this was looked on as good luck for us. This afternoon a swallow visited us, what became of these birds I do not know, I hope they reached land. This afternoon we ran into a fog bank and one of the TBD's came to within about 2 or 300 yds and escorted us personally till it cleared a bit when we found we were a long way behind and out of sight of the rest of the convoy, we are now trying to catch up, teh TBD still standing by us. We are supposed to be about the NE corner of the Bay of Biscay but it is extremely calm. The water is slightly phosphorescent tonight. We are steering SW. No bugle calls allowed on board. I slept in my clothes with a life belt round my neck & revolver ready on Sam B. belt ready for emergencies last night & shall do so again tonight. We are supposed to have done about 250 miles in the 1st 24 hours (275 was the figure).
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- Hazel Townesend
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