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[Page 39]
The British White Ensign & French flags are flying on all the forts & government buildings. It makes one sad & gloomy to gase & think how many thousands of lives were lost at this partecular spot a few years ago. A few hundred yards above The Narrows, which is only about 2 miles wide is seen the mine field & nets used by the Turks against our ships of war & submarines. After passing through the entrance of the minefield our escort & leading destroyer left us & wished us a Merry Xmas. We proceeded on our own up the Dardanells & up the Sea of Marmara & arrived off Constantinople at 11 p.m. & dropped anchor for the night. Fine weather prevailed rather cold. Hills all covered with snow. Temperature 48° mean average. The British troops that we embarked on the night of the 24th it appears they were kept on the wharf awaiting a transport ferry to bring them off to the H.M.T. Indarra. Whilst there for hours they dozens of them were very drunk & disorderly brought aboard in that state at 8 p.m. Our Captain protested re leaving that night considering these men were in such condition & in the event of anything happening useless to serve out lifebelts & no boat drill & send a letter ashore to the General Head Military Quaters & also to the D.M.T.O. for further instruction. The Signal came back by Morse to carry on & proceed to sea immediately to the disgust of all sensable persons aboard.
25.12.18
10 a.m. Shifted our position & anchored near a line of Battle Ships & cruisers & torpedoe boats ½ a mile from the Centre of the City.