Item 01: J. E. Morrison diary, 13 October 1917-29 October 1918 - Page 142
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[Page 142]
7.9.18
Embarked 2000 troops & 20 sisters
Sunday 8.9.18
3.30 pm Left Taranto inner harbor for the outer harbor. [anchor] & orders to proceed to sea under escort at 7 pm tonight with four Japaneese distroyers & H.M.T. Norman bound for Port Said. We have now on board 3 generals.
9.9.18
Light breeze fine & clear speed 15 knots. Zig zag course during the day & straight courses during the night. 100 miles from Taranto at 10.30 pm steering gear broke down. It being a telemeter gear & worked by hydrolic, the breakdown was caused by air bubbles in the pipes. Continued the best way we could by steering with the engins which meant a great loss of speed. Lost the convoy in the dark & 2 of the distroyers remained behind. The transport was practically helpless with over 2000 souls on board & being then in a very dangerous position for submarines. The air was forced out by hydrolic pressure & fixed by midnight. So proceeded at 16 ½ knots & caught up the convoy