Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 38
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[Page 38]
"Ibuki" there are also innumerable small steamers, schooners, Arab Dhows, and all sorts of small craft at Catamaran. We saw about 20 of these latter at Mt Lavinia drawn up on the Sandy Beach. The buildings are very good, and the natives in their many coloured but scanty dress, and the rickshaws make a splendid picture. I could spend a week here very easily indeed.
The "Anglo Egyptian" is moored alongside us and we have transferred 50 tons of chaff from the ship to ours. About half of it is very wet, heated and fermented and will be practically of no use.
Monday 16th November
Awakened at 6 AM by firing of two sunrise guns in quick succession. About 1.30 AM this morning Capt McGee came aboard in a greatly disturbed state of mind. His gunner had failed to be at the G.O.H. at the appointed time and he had to return alone to the ship. To make matters worse the launch which brought him off did not know where our ship was lying and he had an hours search in the Anchorage before he reached home. I told him to take a boat's crew ashore early this morning and find the missing lad. Later they returned with him, and it transpired he had been at the Hotel the whole evening, so I informed Capt McGee that it was apparent his Doctor friend's dinner had been too good, and in consequence his vision must have been affected.
We drew off from the "Anglo Egyptian" about 8.30 AM. I left at that time with a boat's crew, visited the "Medic", met Major Bessel Browne and the Officers of the 8th Battery, then on to the "Geelong" to meet the officers of the 9th Battery, then on to "Katuna" to see 9th Battery Horses. Major Hughes, Mr Jopp and Capt McLennan accompanied me. Returned to "Rangatua" at 12.30 at her anchorage in the roads. Early this morning some Cingalese came aboard selling papers. One of them in some way was left on the boat and is now in a great state of mind as to whether he will ever get ashore again. Have just received wireless informing me that 1st and 2nd Divisions are to leave tomorrow at 11 AM and our Division will leave at 6PM. They will thus get about 70 miles start of us. We expect to go into harbour early for water. Sent off a boat's crew tonight with letters for "Orvieto" but owing to a strong current they were unable to