State Library of NSW
[Page 73]
the boat with the volunteer crew.
I got down off the bridge in double quick time, leapt into the boat, kicked out four of the crew and yelled to lower – It seems that, our officers were betting that my boat would be out before the crews – so that it was a race, altho I was not aware even, that the other boat was being got out, for we were on the Starboard bow, while they were on the Port side.
It seems that I was winning, and the old beggar of a Cap on the Bridge yelled for us to "make fast". I'm now jolly glad that he did for we were ordered to – "Proceed on Your course at once" so that the boat which did go out was left behind to be picked up by some other ship, probably a cruiser would pick them up.
The "Aboukir", "Hogue" and "Cressy" incident has learnt the navy to have done with any such sentimental consideration.
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