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[Page 92]
or else their are kept fell in until the Seaman are finished, which in the general run is about 11.30 AM or about half and hour before the afternoon watchmen go on watch, leaving them to rush round and get their dinner and shift in a working rig and go down below and slog for 4 hour's. So you can see that 2½ hour's in the forenoon, clear means a great deal to a Stoker. The Commander read out the Station's and then told us that we should Coal Wednesday and leave Thursday but he did not state where we were going. We found Starboard Anchor and took it aboard. Prepared for Coaling and Collier came along side (S.S. Kanna).
Wednesday 20th.
5 AM. Started Coaling 600 Tons and finished 10.30 AM and piped every one aft for a lecture as to where we are going. We leave at 4 PM and proceed to Palm Island and Coal ship again and Anchor at the Barrier Reef for Christmas Day.
26th.
Arrive at Thursday Island and Oil Ship and Proceed to Singapore to Arrive on the 4th January 1917. This is the Programe All Going Well. Oil 240 Tons. We are all Stoney Broke and anxiously waiting for Pay Day as the Canteen refuse to give Credit and we are short of Smokes and Toilet Gear. No improvement in the Menu. With the exception of a little burgue, anyway Cheer up we will soon be dead if we live long enough.
Wednesday 20th.
Pick up Collier about 8 AM. 9.15 AM. Went to Divisions and had Church at which we started a new routine issuing Hymn Card's and Singing Hymns. We were then dismissed to take off our Jumpers as the Weather is very. Jumpers are not to be worn unless piped. Went to General Quarter's. I had the Morning Watch and I must say we had to Slog