Item 01: J. E. Morrison diary, 13 October 1917-29 October 1918 - Page 135
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[Page 135]
transports that they have been forced to use the troopships for cargo as well as troops.
24.8.18
Arrived this day a hulk full of can oil towed from Alexandria 1000 miles by a tug & now loading food stuffs for Egypt. This is a new move on account of so many steamers being sunk. Had it been done pre war time it would have been considered most ridiculous.
25.8.18
Sunday. Troop & war material shipped & cargo worked as per usual including 300 tons of case Bass bottle ale. Having a few hundred of cases of beer down No. 1 & No. 6 naval bluejackets under a warrant officer guarding the cases of beer night & day, the cargo being worked in by Italian labor. Early in the morning at daybreak some empty cases of beer were seen floating around the ship evidently broached cargo & 3 of our sailors drunk. Probably been down the hold during the night & the naval guard no doubt in coe. with them. Men's quarters searched, no trace of beer found but plenty of empty bottles floating around the ship.
The H.M.T. Ormonde 15,000 tons reg. left this day for Alexandria with 3000 troops.