Todd war diary, 3 August 1914-29 February 1916 / Arthur Todd - Page 20
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[Page 20]
necessarily run; but it is a necessity which time will eliminate.
The trip round to Albany for the greater part was made in beautiful weather, and with the ship in peace routine all had a comfortable time which was appreciated after the continuous "panics" of the Pacific cruise. Awnings were spread and deck chairs dug out and we slept and lazed while the ship plugged on at 14 knots south and then west. One of the first things the newcomer noticed at sea was the absence of vibration with a turbine driven ship: it is just the difference between a pneumatic and a solid tyred car.
The writer's cabin was over the forward port propellor, and at most speeds the ship might have been under sail. All the way to the west the ship's company were exercised daily at general quarters; that is to say, each man repaired to his particular battle station.
The guns are swung out and connected up with by telephones and voice pipes with the fire control from which the Captain and Gunnery Officer direct the fire of the ship; sails are lowered, boats turned in, and the ship generally cleared for action.
Officers and men are exercised in all the contingencies which may happen during an action. The fire central in imagination is shot away, and the After control takes on; this too goes, and independent firing proceeds. The ship is first steered from the bridge, then from the conning tower, and lower conning tower. All these go, and then a party in the after steerage flat below the water line steer the ship by hand, tho one couldn't help thinking that when things got as bad as this it was time to get one's bottle of Dewars and pour oneself quietly over the side.
A man's ordinary daily job was not necessarily a guide to his employment in action.