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[Page 18]
that composed the Convoy a steamer of 9000 tons burden. He lost his last ship last May torpedoed in the Mediterean he was in command & he told me he was saved after floating in the Water for 2 hours with his life belt on. We have on board from Salonika 50 officers, Naval & Military going to Palastine. The Naval officers are going to Beyroot, the former German submarine base in Palastine. We also have the 2 seaplanes, Lieut. the pilot & observers of the seaplane that we passed wrecked, the 2 two survivors saved & picked up by the Australia Swan destroyer when coming once on the 2 of November. I had a long yarn with them they told me they had been 20 hours in the water. The machine was nearly submerged & that they were hanging on to the floats for 17 hours. Soaking wet & without any food or water. They said they could see us waving to them from our bridge & the signals up to the Swan she being 2 miles on our Port side at the time. They were much exhusted & were very thankful to us & also full of joy when they saw the Swan turn around & steam towards them at a very high speed & put a boat out & took them aboard. They said the clothes they are wearing are the Commodore of the Swan's uniform. He was very good to them & gave them every attention both medically & otherwise. They had a good feed & rest & at Salonika transfered to our ship. We supplied them with Red Cross clothes, the remains of