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[Page 39]
1914
"Montcalm" entered the harbour just as we were leaving. She had been to Noumea, New Caledonia, for coal. When we had been 3 days out we picked up "Sydney". The "Melbourne" was well ahead on her way to Sydney.
Sept. 18
Suddenly we & "Sydney" were ordered to return at increased speed to Rabaul. Excitement ran high, for everyone thought that definite knowledge had come to hand regarding the German cruisers. I do not think that the German prisoners were particularly anxious to return to Rabaul. For over a month they had been unable to obtain supplies from the outside world, and when they were captured they were glad to partake of a good meal. The had neither butter nor meat for several weeks. Four Germans lived in the officers mess, & very decent fellows they appeared to be. One had been an officer in the Bavarian Heavy Calvary, while another was a judge. They professed not to understand why Germany went to war at all. About this time we received a wireless message from Rabaul to say that the destroyer "Yarra" had damaged her port propeller shaft by striking a submerged rock. This reduced her speed from 27 to 20 knots, & she was ordered to return to Sydney at the latter speed for repairs. Afterwards this order was countermanded, & she was ordered to await the arrival of a spare propeller, & then proceed to Brisbane for docking & repairs. We were well on our way South when we received the