Item 02: Alec Donaldson diary, 6 August 1917-24 December 1918 - Page 6

[Page 6]

6th August 1917 – 3
7A.M. Chief Officer informed me that the "Morinda" was in sight to westward. Went out & could see the vessel nearly hull up, but by the placing of masts & funnel knew that it was not the "Morinda". Vessel was steering about 3 points more to Eastward than we were & as she closed with us, I took her for a Jap steamer. 730 The vessel being then about 4 miles off, ported as if to come under our stern & 5' later hauled up again, & on having a good look at her, could see that she was undoubtedly a German built ship. She hoisted two signals -: Telegraphic Communication stopped & stop instantly. The Chief Officer put telegraph to Stop but I put it back to full speed ahead. Two minutes later about 7.45 she showed German Man – o– war colours & sent a shot across between the bridge & foremast, so I reckoned it was advisable to stop. Onlooking where the guns were, I discovered she had