Todd war diary, 3 August 1914-29 February 1916 / Arthur Todd - Page 290
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[Page 290]
always made welcome.
In harbour the ship put on her peace-time rig; carpets and mats were put into the wardroom, awnings were spread, and for a day or so here and there we lived as civilized human beings. But in the little jaunts at sea war routine was rigorously observed. Just after dark night defence was sounded off, and all lights which showed out-board were covered; cabin deadlights were screwed down, and the guns' crews closed up; double watches were kept; and in this fashion, in inky blackness without even a masthead light, we pursued our course. The heat in the wardroom and cabins was stifling, and many brave souls tried to sleep on deck; but the coal dust from the funnels, and the rain which had a pleasant habit of falling each night, eventually drove them below. In several months I can scarcely remember one peaceful night on deck. During the daytime in those latitudes we wore a rig which I believe was first evolved in the Melbourne. No tunic was worn, but a soft white shirt on which the badges of rank were fastened, then a pair of duck trousers and a pair of white sandshoes. Some of the bloods affected socks, but the more economical went without. There was no dressing for dinner. In fact, we undressed; for in the heated wardroom, made hotter still by the steaming food, we lost more than we took in. Some officers came to dinner in their singlets, and one came in naked from the waist up; but he was ruled improper by the Prresident. The ship was now infested with cockroaches