Item 01: R. T. Vowles diary, 22 August 1915-23 February 1916 - Page 134
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 134]
over & slept again. Everybody also was asleep & next time I woke it was 7.30 so we all got out. Owing to the crowded decks & washhouses it was impossible to get even wet at the time. All the morning was spent upon deck in the sun, as Eric put it, a job he could well hold, so long as he had nothing to do. The sea meanwhile began to get choppy & the men developed bad heads etc. Dinner was absolutely uneatable again. During the afternoon the sea rose slightly & evidently the barometer was falling as orders were given for all men to be below & ports to be closed as soon as we went to roost.
7/1/16 Instead of rising at 6am we left it until 7.30am. The sea still a swell on & one by one the men rushed up on deck, those who had false teeth just getting them out in time to save them following last nights tea. Soon after a breakfast of fish & porridge that was like pollard. Hop rushed up & let fly. At dinner time Pierce did likewise. Many of the mess gathered round the hatch entrances & as the sick ones rushed up they sang amid roars of laughter I'm coming –I'm coming ! See my head