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[Page 60]
22-8-18 Thurs
I am officer of submarine guard & go on duty at 9 am & remain on 24 hours soon after 10 am. a periscope was sighted on starboard side Morea wheeled on her caul & started at full speed for it. My feeling at this moment was peculiar. I was full of interest & was concerned that submarine should not escape before Morea could ram her. I was only keenly excited in race. If it had really been a submarine the danger to ourselves would have been real & in a few seconds our boat would have been gone but while we thought of the possibility my feelings were only those of interest in affair. However the periscope turned out to be an upturned cable & Morea let it pass. so did next boat Yokohama but the last boat front up E (submarine signal) & we alarm 6 whistle & turned her stern on to it so as bring her gun into action. However it was unnecessary. While on duty read hand book Memoirs d'une longue chaise [romantic novel] & wrote home as mail closes today at 12 noon. Escort is expected to day but so far have not seen it. As all my 3 sgts on guard are only Cpls & as Cpls are only available. As 5 out of 6 are under 19 years of age & sad to say awake all night The Bar closes tonight definitively; There is a wild happy reunion. After the final flutter go up on deck & yarn with Ross. While yarning see a boat float by which however occasions an alarm from forward sentries. 1) lay down about 2 & at 3.30 there is wild rushing overhead on bridge & clanging of telephone bell. wheel is spun round & there is a babel of voices. thinking something has happened which guard has not warned me of I rush outside & find night quite calm & peaceful. Moon is shining brightly but a cold wind is blowing & occasionally a shower. Good night for submarines but sentries are all alert. However submarines guard would be of little use & it is all [indecipherable] are