Alexander diary, 1917-1918 / Roy Alexander - Page 95
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[Page 95]
1917
Sat. Dec 1st.
Leave hospital. Beautiful clear smooth weather with a heavy ground swell.
The new prize, a barque, is lying off the "Wolf" with most sail set.
We are only 100 miles from Pt Elizabeth. The ship is the old wool-clipper "Avenger", re-commissioned after being salved from an American beach and re-named "John H. Kirby". Captain A. Blom, crew 16. New York to Port Elizabeth with general cargo including 270 automobiles. At noon two bombs exploded on her starboard hull; she immediately listed heavily and sank in 2 mins. 15 secs.
Sun 2nd Dec.
"Wolf" has abandoned the passenger-ship chase and is rounding the Cape in perfectly clear smooth weather. Sandy caused a mild sensation by vowing that he had sighted a patrolling sea-plane while lying on deck.
A cautious rush to the deck followed, but the 'plane was not seen any more.