A WW1 Soldier’s Diary
July 19th. 1916.
Our first night in hammocks – they’re good-oh. We didn’t get up till 8 o’clock whence after a wash and a breakfast of steak and vegetables – bread and butter and tea, we went on deck to find the miners Corps and 13th. of the 23rd. lined up on the wharf listening to instructions before going aboard – and a ragtime mob they looked – more or less drunk, swearing and cursing at the shape and size of the ship that was to carry them for a week or two. One poor coot was that paralytic that they had to bring him on board on a stretcher, others were being led onto the boat and down the gangway into the troop deck through the procedure of taking a step at a time too slow and did the lot at once – their kit and belongings following them with equal speed. Anyhow, they all got settled after a time and the order was given that all may go up on deck. There was a rush for the gangways to get a position at the side of the boat facing the pier: by this time the friends and relations of the troops were lined up along the wharf and many small boys did business with streamers and flags, the former not being able to hold against the strong wind kept parting before their time much to the disgust of the purchasers and the delight of the small boys.
When half an hour had gone the propeller started to revolve, ropes were slackened, the gangway lowered, and boat officials began to look as if they were taking an interest in what they were doing. One could not but notice the sudden change in countenance of both those aboard and on the wharf. Everybody found themselves realising that they were soon to see the last of each other for a good time to come – and words of farewell, promises of a faithful correspondence were given. The boat started to draw away from the pier. Everybody looked to their streamers, handkerchiefs and cameras. One old lady looked to a sugar-bag of apples she had and started hurling them at the ship with such velocity and force that often (about 11 in 12) the unoffending boat staggered under the battery of vegetation. As the distance increased between the soldiers and the sugarbag , the means of distribution became more excited and impressed one with the idea that she intended everyone of those apples to make it’s mark on some part of the boat. However we got through them in plenty of time, and had the pleasure of seeing them floating in sections quite bravely in that part of Port Phillip Bay which surrounded the immediate vicinity. I heard after that one or two did make quite a respectable catch for the boys- but most of them spread themselves with a loud report on the side of the boat.
About 11.30 am it was when we had our heads towards the Rip which was reached about 5 pm. Dinner was served to the troops at noon and consisted of steak, potatoes, cauliflower and bread & butter. The wind freshened up a trifle after we passed the Heads and it didn’t take long for those with weak stomachs to lose interest in trifles on board and the Mess table. Much amusement was to be had watching the lads swing their hammocks and their endeavours to get into them – they are hung on hooks let into the ceiling over the Mess compartments. It was quite a novel night when everybody was in bed, 284 big hammocks in a big mass and swinging from side to side as the boat rolled- and roll she did! and the sea as calm as a mill pond- goodness knows what she will be on the morrow, as I can discern the sky and a strong sou-westerly to follow . But we mustn’t forget the intemperates , they are still going strong, laid out all over the ship: some reciting passages from well known poets, others giving lectures to imaginary audiences, butall as game as Bull-dogs and ready to go through anything.