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[Page 121]
1915.
battleships "Russell", "Albermarle", "Hindustan", & "Hibernia", which were sent to Near Eastern waters. The shortage of munitions for the Army soon led to an agitation as to whether something could not be done in the Fleet, to help to relieve the shortage, Consequently, it was, eventually, arranged that Munition works ashore would supply us with material. My workshop was kept busy for 14 hours each day, turning up 4.5 shell bases, & making guages for all classes of projectiles, for use in shell factories. The sailors were employed in making canvas bags for shells, gromets, slings, etc. Thus we did our little bit to help the show along.
Nov. 28.
Our long stay in harbour was abruptly broken by being sent out to sea for exercises one Sunday. The North Sea was in its usual winter mood, & many of the younger members of the ship's company suffered from seasickness. These were part of a new draft recently arrived from Australia. The rough weather, the intensity of which was increased by our high rate of speed at all times, caused us to be repeatedly washed down, & many things were washed off our upper deck. Kites were made on board with the idea of allowing our anti-aircraft guns to practise on them, but the attempt was a failure, a change of course bringing the kites down ignominiously to the water. After combined exercises the Fleet put into