Item 01: Fred Hamilton-Kenny letter diary, 29 August-19 October 1914 - Page 49
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[Page 49]
The French war ship – Montcalm lies close to us – guns out - By the way she put up an A1 signal this morng which I think any lady might copy & some with great advantage – town or country - It is usual for Captains to call on the Admiral - The Frenchman obviated all this by this signal - "All visits & the return calls will be taken as paid - already carried out" What a grand signal!!! You run it up & there you are – free & quiet - Did I mention prizes? Two were alongside of us till yesterday – SS Sumatra & the Madang - The S.S. Sumatra was a German trader with lager beer, provisions & stores - Mossy Lambton was sent off to her & report says he scooped 1200 bottles of Lager for the thirsty Berrima – then another chap came & scooped her coal & now she is being fitted up with a 12 pounder gun & is to be a sort of guard ship - Our chief officer – Elms is to be 2nd in command & we drank his health & wished him luck & if they want a medico I'm first on the list - They're going to look up the coast line for AE1 Germans & what not -
The Madang is a cranky small steamer