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[Page 73]
The Commander in Chief appears a very tactfull & democratic person.
15.3.18 [19]
At 6 p.m. we steamed & entered the Straits of Messina & through at 8 p.m. 11 p.m. passed C. Capo on the Island of Salina of the Aeolian Islands. Warnings throughout the trip of floating mines some on our track. So far we have done a average speed of 15.2 knots = 16 miles per hour. Fine weather still prevails.
16.3.18 [19]
8 p.m. steaming through Bonifaco St. between the Islands of Sardina & Corsica. Fresh head wind & rough sea. The progress of the ship delayed. A concert was held with the troops in which the majority attended & enjoyed them selves immensely. The Indian section of civilian passengers are of a very chaste lot, having been away from the war zone during the war. They cannot realize the drawbacks & inconvenience whilst travelling compared with prewar days.
17.3.18 [19]
At 8 a.m. we arrived off Marseilles & took in a pilot & proceeded into the outer harbor. It was blowing a fresh gale & impossible to proceed into the Inner harbor without causing much damage so the pilot decided to anchor until the wind subdued. At 3 p.m. a Naval launch came off & requested Gen. Sir Edmund H.H. Allanby to go ashore, he refused to the leave the transport in such weather.
18.
Still blowing a heavy gale & terrific squall. The transport dragging her anchors so hove up anchor at 10 a.m. & steamed near the land & dropped both our bower anchors. At 11 a.m. a large French naval tug