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[Page 121]
valedictory. It all arose from the vagaries of the "Warrego's" motor boat which whizzed round in all sorts of alarming ways completely turning our heads. This may account for the extr'o'rin'ry vision of one of our number who when returning on board his ship made for the middle one of three wobbling accomodation ladders and found he had missed the lot. We had dinner on the "Warrego", music on the "Sian", & flying visits to all the ships in port, to say nothing of marching solemnly through the major's office in single file. We expected a wigging – but didn't get it.
When returning later (much later) to our domiciles & ships the rain came down in torrents & we were drenched to the skin; but "what do we sea-dogs care?"
Mon 11th on board Destroyer "Yarra" at sea : Instead of travelling on the "Sian" I joined this ship last night for the trip to Rabaul. We are to call at several places en route and are travelling in company with "Warrego" & "Parramatta". Madang was left at 8 pm.
When about 15 miles out a light was sighted to the N.E. and the "Yarra" was ordered to investigate. We opened out to 17 knots and rapidly over-hauled it. It was thought to be the "Elax" which left harbour an hour or two before the destroyers. As we drew abreast the searchlight was got to work; the darkness was suddenly pierced by a brilliant shaft of light in which the rain-drops (it was coming down fairly hard) scintillated like diamond points.