Ruskin logs, 1914-1918 / Alfred Ruskin - Page 36
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[Page 36]
It was impossible to take anything but water to the Island as we did not think that we should stop there all night but we made the best of it by lighting fires and knocking down cocoanuts the milk being given to the wounded who were almost mad from thirst, some being 30 hours without a drink. There was three men assistance was given too and so we searched along the Island all night. The brush fires we lighted gave great assistance.
Daybreak 11th. We sighted the ship steaming towards us and getting close in she sent a cutter to us with a stretcher in charge of Lt. Garcia and a German Officer as intreptr. Mr. Garcia and the German officer comenced to walk round the Island over rocks and pebbles in search of three wounded who were about 5 miles away.
It was very interesting to hear how the German sailors spoke of the action, the splendid way our ship was handled and how Capt. Von Muller had all his ships company aft and gave them a speech saying, you have no fear if it is one of the Austrailian ships Melbourne or Sydney, I can sink them in 40 minutes which was not done. If it is a Japanese we will make of as soon as we can. The Boats return on board with the last of the wounded and we weigh anchor and leave for Colombo.