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[Page 99]
cut of all was that his young & pretty wife was to accompany him & I was to take charge of them on the "Gabriel", the Major transferring to the "Warrego". Like Pharoah I hardened my heart & ignored the tears & protestations of the said young & pretty one, though the sight of their dear little youngster pulled hard.
The Destroyers left immediately for _____ whither some important business calls them. I shall chronicle it in due time; at present "mum's the word". So I'm the captain of the "Pinafore" (no, I mean the "Gabriel") & a right good captain too. Commdr. Cumberledge lent me one LS & one AB as I have only two men aboard here, one of whom is a convalescent. Besides these we have the two permanent ship's officers, the crew, the pretty one & her husband, 6 sisters of the church, one priest, 2 other German prisoners & Lord knows how many natives. Quite a goodly company. And the good ship "Gabriel" ploughs her way through the angry main at 8 knots. God grant there will be no fly in the soup tonight.
Tuesday 8th 4pm FdkWmshafen [Friedrich-Wilhelmshafen] : I remarked the other day "Struth"! Pardon me if I reiterate.
You will remember that I became captain of the "Gabriel" a few days ago. That, mon ami, is a thing of the past; I am now Captain of HM Troopship "Sian", a vessel recently captured from the Germans. We are carrying troops to ____ & will form one of a fleet consisting of
"Warrego" "Parramatta" "Yarra" "Una" (late Komet) "Fantome" – HMAS
"Eastern" "Sian" "Nusa" "Gabriel" – Troopships