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[Page 630]

not thrown overboard, but it is an ill wind that blows nobody good.

At Sierra Leone having performed her "section" in the duty of escort, the "Highflyer" dipped her flag as a parting good bye.

The "post" of escort to Capetown devolved upon the battleship "Britannia". That such a heavily armoured ship should be used in this work was very surprising at first, especially being much slower in speed & perhaps not so quickly manoeuvered in sudden attack, but to the explanation appeared to be, that as a fighting ship, compared with the modern, & particularly "since the war" new ships the Britannia would be practically useless, & it further indicated that the prospect of the Convoy being attacked either above or below the surface, was very remote.

The Ayrshire being a Hospital ship had a number of cot cases aboard, but not many were considered very serious & the hope was expressed by the A,M,C, attendants that they were in great hopes of all being safely landed at their destination

However much to the surprise & very great sorrow of everyone aboard a "case" not by any means listed as in any real danger quickly developed what appeared to be pneumonia, & on a Saturday afternoon the whole ship Company were shocked to hear that the first death had occurred.

The news caused a deep feeling of sadness & sorrow, to pervade every quarter, the merry spirits were hushed & quietened, the turbulent subdued.

Naturally it was conjectured that some of the more serious "cases' " chances would not be improved.

The Burial Service was fixed for 11 Oclock Sunday morning

Flags were immediately "half masted" & the death reported to the

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