Item 01: Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett diary, 1915-1917 - Page 76

[Page 76]

was raised, and the Admiral called several destroyers around him, to cover our flank during this dangerous passage of 10 miles of moonlit ocean. The old "Majestic" did better time than she had done for many years on this almost her last trip. Kepholos is a small open bay in the Island of Imbros about 10 miles from Cape Helles, 9 from Anzac and 12 from Suvla Bay. It offers little or no projection when the wind is in the North or East, but it does keep off the sou-westers. The entrance is as wide as the bay, and is difficult to protect against submarine attack. For some time past units of the Navy had been busy placing a boom in position there, and at this time the work was not yet completed, in fact it said that they were only fishing nets, and were placed there as a bluff. In any case in the excitement and speed at which she was going, the "Majestic" failed to find the entrance, and ran bang into the net, curling it all around her. We therefore had to back out again, and it took us some time to get in. I went to bed about 10 o'clock, and at 12 there was a great scare, for the destroyers on patrol duty outside reported they had sighted a submarine, which was trying to get through the entrance to the bay. I believe the danger only existed in their imagination.

Wednesday May 26th
It was blowing half a gale this morning, which rendered it extremely difficult to get about the harbour in motor boats or steam pinnaces. However I was very anxious to get on board the "Arcadian" and see Maxwell to find out what had happened about the memorandum I had drawn up of the whole situation, at the Front. I succeeded in doing so, and on going on board, I met Sir Ian Hamilton, and did not see particularly friendly, so I gathered he had read the documents I had drawn up. When I saw Maxwell, he