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[Page 21]
Another of our principal amusements was gardening. This may seem rather strange until I explain.
In the winter of 1917 vegetables were extremely hard to obtain and those obtained locally of a very inferior quality. The navy therefore decided to grow its own. With this purpose in view, a plot of ground behind the naval sick quarters was lent to us by the Italian Authorities. It was in reality an olive orchard, and the olives were then Nov.-Dec. about to fall. Some six to eight acres in extent this ground was divided up into plots and so much alloted to each ship. Seeds and seedlings were obtained in the local market, and the navy set itself down to seriously undertake the duties of husband-man.
Of course, shovels on the big ships were plentiful, we on the T.B.D.'S having no use for coal except in the galley were not allowed them in our establishment. Result, constant signals between the cruisers and the .T.B.D.'s "kindly return shovels borrowed from our tool shed yesterday afternoon," etc. etc. Agricultural implements such as forks, hoes, rakes, etc. were quite unobtainable and as all our spare engine room ratings were busy turning out these much needed instruments, and the forge was going all day long for the first week or two while when in port. Volunteers were called for and met with a ready response. A "head gardener" chosen more for his enthusiasm than for his knowledge of the gentle art, and the work of tilling the soil commenced in earnest.
Officers and men vied with each other in producing the best tilled and most fertile plot of land. "Tin hats" mixed, dug and hewed with "flannels" and it was no uncommon sight to see a post captain in grey flannel breeches his "tin hat" and belaced coat hanging on an adjacent olive tree, manfully turning up the soil alongside a young ordinary seaman or stoker engaged in the same arduous work. As the gardens progressed and the fruits of our labor began to sprout forth great excitement was often to be noticed in various parts of our gardens. Post captains and Commanders would gravely argue with seamen or stokers over a tiny shoot which had reared its pricked head at least an inch above mother earth. The Captain would swear that was the exact spot he had planted an artichoke three weeks before, the Commander was of the opinion it was a carrot, while the stoker whose "father was a gardener" was quite certain that it was a narrow fat pea.