Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 93
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[Page 93]
Forward Observing Officers. Party of A.B. Seaman, Petty Officer and Chief Gunner reported to me today from H.M.S. Bacchante for working of Horse boats. Detailed information from Lord Kitchener to Gen Sir Ian Hamilton re victory in Mesopotamia. Turks fought bravely and had to be turned out of their positions at the point of the Bayonet.
Quite a large Australian mail arrived today, everybody delighted. Captain has just given permission for 1st and 2nd Officers of this ship with crews to work launches when towing horse and gun boats ashore. We want to "bag" them to work our ship if possible, for we want to work against time and land on Batteries first. We want, or rather, I want to ensure one of my batteries firing the first shot from Field Artillery. Troop ship just entered the Harbour and passed us, carrying troops wearing a red Tarbouch. They look very much like Egyptian troops.
Friday 23rd April
Chief Officer secured a Tug yesterday and was appointed her Skipper to assist in towing troops ashore at Gallipoli Peninsula. The Second Officer is with him also to act as relief Skipper, and a crew of firemen etc also went from this ship. The chief went off this morning at &AM. Standing on his bridge giving orders he was as proud as a peacock and as "happy as Larry". We left our anchorage a few minutes after 4, and steamed to an anchorage in the outer harbour outside the boom.
We lined troops on deck and saluted Men O' War as we passed down between them and the Transports. The sight this evening was really beautiful, a glassy sea, several Transports anchored and others moving into anchorages in the outer Harbour, some Transports moving out to sea towing horse boats etc, escorted by three Men O' War, British, French and Russian, Torpedo destroyers and Submarines and no end of Transports, and then just to make the picture complete a fine large waterplane manoeuvred over us in the setting sun. As darkness fell, a large Hospital ship lying outside turned on her lights. All her ports are screwed with [indecipherable] glass, and a large Red Cross device in red lamps is emblazoned on her side. The reflection in the water is very pretty. Then to finish off the whole scene the search lights on shore lit up the entrance to the Bay where booms are stretched across. Ahead of us out to sea are Destroyers and Torpedo boats also a couple of Men O' War acting as sentries over us. I don't know when I have seen a finer sight. I should say