Sunday Nov 1st

Left port ^Albany at 8:30 am
preceded by HMS “Minotaur”
and the Australian squadron
of transports. We were lying
at entrance & had magnificent
view of Australian ships as
they passed in line. On
clearing heads they formed
up in 3 lines 10–9–9 and
we retain our formation page 14 of 2 lines of 5 ships each
covering the intervals of
the Aust. lines, — in rear.
We now hear from “Minotaur”
that we do not go to
Colombo, but via the Cape.
Wireless from warships
advise Britain declared war
on Turkey. Glorious sunny
morning leaving port but
windy in afternoon. Covered
29 miles up to noon. The
fine moonlight night brought
a magnificent sight and
one to be remembered. It
was not necessary to move
without lights near land
and the whole fleet — some
of them lighted up like page 15 floating palaces, presented
a beautiful & unique spectacle.

There are 28,000 troops
on the ships in the fleet
and I suppose about 5000
men in the crews. Full
moon tonight and clear weather
& with all the ships, one of
the most beautiful sights
imaginable.

Monday Nov. 2nd

Light showers & choppy sea
still heading N. towards Fremantle.

Ships run 223 miles.

Tuesday Nov. 3rd

Strong wind & heavy sea.
Sea sickness again prevalent
amongst the weaker subjects.

Still heading North altho'
we have passed Fremantle page 16 and have picked up the
remainder of the transports
and convoy. Much discussion
about route we will take
but understand it will be
via Table Bay. We must soon
know in any case.

Ships run 221 miles.

We are not making nearly
as good runs as before we
joined Australians.

Wednesday Nov 4th

Choppy sea — fine weather
very heavy swell.

Now informed that we keep
on this course & go via
Colombo. All pleased as
route shorter & more interesting.

Ships run 219 miles

Thursday Nov 5th

Glorious day but rather
too warm. very calm sea.

Wrestling championship at
sports yesterday. won by
Corp. Robertson — £ 10 prize.

Orient liner “Osterley” from
Fremantle to Colombo sighted.
Warships signalled her to
join the convoy. She steamed
in close to Arawa 6 pm.
Expect she will be detained
to travel with us.

Concert held tonight. Very
good programme & successful

Ships run to noon 241 miles.

Friday Nov 6th

Another fine day — usual
routine. “Osterley” has
been allowed to proceed

so I think the course
must be clear.

Ships run 256 miles

Saturday Nov 7th

Glorious weather but
warmer every day. Received
news of naval engagement
off Valparaiso.

Temperature 90° in shade

Ships run 249 miles

Sunday Nov 8th

Very warm again but
cooling showers fell for
a few minutes. Details
of naval action off Chile rather
depressing, but we can't hope
for success always. On
information received, probably
from Cocos Is. the “Minotaur” page 19 left us this morning in
a westerly direction. In
evening we received wireless
from Cocos Island that foreign
ship was in the vicinity.

We passed East of Cocos
about 40 miles instead of
usual westerly course.

Ships run 237 miles.

Monday Nov 9th

Very fine & almost too
hot to do anything.
7 am wireless from Cocos Is.
stated foreign ship entering
harbour & asking for help.

The message was being
apparently interrupted by
another ship, and the page 20 assumption is that the
‘Emden’ was the ship referred
to. The cruiser “Sydney”
left at full speed, flames
& smoke belching from her
4 funnels. We are now left
with HMS “Melbourne” and
Jap. “Ibuki”. These ships
10 am are flying flags
for action and transports
have been ordered to keep
up full steam. Our escort
is now steaming on the
western flank of squadron
10.45 am. Wireless from
“Sydney” that she engaged
“Emden” which had to run
ashore to prevent sinking.
“Sydney” lost 2 killed and page 21 13 wounded and she is now
pursuing a collier. The
action took place only
50 miles from us. The
wireless operation on this
ship “Arawa” was the only
one to decipher the Cocos
Island call for help. —
News received on board
with great enthusiasm —
“Minotaur” also now at Cocos
Island and reports she is
returning to us.

Ships run today 235 miles

Tuesday Nov 10th

Since news of “Emden” being
destroyed “Minotaur” has
again gone off to west.

She advises “Sydney” will
remove Emden's guns and page 22 probably land wounded
Germans at Direction Island.
Faulkner^Falconer of the Taranaki
Coy who is a telegraphist
and we have put on wireless
duty was the man who
got the call from Cocos Island.
Some distinction for us for
even the warships did not
get the call except from
the “Arawa”.

Today is again fine and
very sultry. sea smooth.
Ships run 250 miles.

Wednesday Nov 11th

Another day of tropical sun.
very smooth sea.

General Godley on behalf
of N.Z Force congratulated

HMAS “Sydney” on success
of her first engagement on
Monday & the baptism under
fire of the Australian Navy.

Ships run 244 miles

We have just received
the depressing news that
all mail will now be
censored and we can't say
much therefore about our doings
I will have to post all my
records at a later date.

Thursday 12th Nov 14

Again fine with calm sea.

Armed merchantman “Empress
of Asia” passed on her way
to Cocos Is. in connection
with the clearing up after
sinking of the “Emden” page 24 HMAS Melbourne left
us in morning and signalled
“Goodbye N.Z Squadron and
Good luck.” During night
another ship passed — said
to be British armed merchantman.

Ships run 256[gap — reason: illegible] miles.

Informed today that mail
may be posted at Colombo
but it will be delayed,
except ^that postcards & letters
containing no information of
military value will be
immediately dispatched.

Friday Nov 13th

Crossed the Equator during
last night Long. 85°. Heavy
tropical rain fell in night and
continued through out the day.

HMS Hampshire an page 25 armoured cruiser with
7.5″ guns joined us 8 am.

In order to expedite the
stay in Colombo the N.Z ships
with 2 of the Australians
are going ahead escorted
by this cruiser. The “Ibuki”
brings on the rest which
as a squadron is slower
than we are.. —

Dr. Home operated on
McDowell of our regiment, for
appendicitis.

Initiation ceremony of
“Crossing the Line” today.

Distressing accident occurred
when Lieut. (Dr) Webb dived
into bath & struck bottom &
sustained hemorrhage of the
spine. Little hope of recovery.

Ships run 259 miles.

Saturday Nov. 14th

Glorious day, sea like glass,
extremely clear atmosphere &
beautiful cloud effects all
day. Saw shoals of flying
fish all day long.

Ships run 255 miles.

“Hampshire” has apparently
gone on ahead to Colombo.

Ships run 255 miles.

— To Colombo 225 miles.

Sunday Nov 15th

Sighted land at daybreak.
Moored in inner harbour at
9-30 am. on beautiful day.

Australian squadron arrived
about 2 pm & anchored in
the stream. Large amount
of shipping in port, many
steamers having been held page 27 up until the “Emden”
was captured. “Empress of Russia”
arrived with the German wounded
and H.M.S ‘Sydney’ brought the
prisoners who were uninjured from
Cocos Island. Latest advices
133 killed about 30 wounded
& 155 prisoners. The latter
have been distributed on our
ships for transport to England.
“Arawa” has 1 officer 2 warrant
officers & 30 men (prisoners
from Emden) The captain was
among the rescued & is on the
Orvieto Lieut. Haas, who
speaks excellent English is on
this ship, so we have now a
detailed & accurate account
of the cruise of the “Emden”

Very nice man & being well
treated — living in our officers'
quarters as one of us.

The warrant officers & men
also in same conditions as ours
except they are always under
a guard. Haas states Sydney
got range to Emden in about
5 rounds and then swept
their decks completely. Awful
scene such as he never wishes
to see again. Russian cruiser
“Askold” in Colombo today
& British cruiser Yarmouth besides
our escort of 34 warships.

Went ashore from 12 to
5 o'clock. Most interesting
place, and exactly as described
in pictures I have seen. Several
very fine European hotels and
shops in modern style — but
essentially Eastern & entirely
native attendants. Did the
town per “rickshaw”. Lt. Webb
operated on in Colombo Hospital but
little hope of his recovery —

Monday Nov 16 - 14

Still in port. Extremely hot
day. Ashore from 11 am to 6 pm

Visited places of interest per
motor car. Inspected Bhuddist
Temple, Gardens, Native quarter
and other places. About 6000
N.Z troops on leave today
and all seemed delighted to get
ashore. Moved out into the
stream 6 pm. Dr. Short joined
“Arawa” in place of Dr. Webb.

Tuesday Nov 17 - 14

Left Colombo 12 noon with
“Hampshire” as escort. Some of
Australian ships remained to sail
later in day with “Ibuki”.

News of death of Lord Roberts
was received on Sunday 15th.

Wednesday Nov 18 - 14

Beautiful weather, very calm sea
& light S. breeze. Sighted
land (Cape Comorin) as we passed,
(7 am). Received wireless news
of death of Lieut. Webb at
Colombo at 2:30 pm.

M.O. commenced inoculation of
troops against typhoid fever.

Ships run - 245 miles.

Thursday Nov. 19 - 14

Very fine & smooth sea.
Lieut. Webb buried at Colombo
with military honours.

Memorial service on board
at 2 pm by Capt. Dobson.
I was inoculated against Typhoid.
This causes varying degrees
of faintness and pain in page 31 the subject for a few hours
and many of the men look
rather sickly in consequence.

Ships run 242 miles.

Friday Nov 20 - 14

Beautiful day — sea smooth
light N. breeze. Work suspended
for two or three days to allow
men to recover from inoculation

I was not badly affected &
was over the trouble within 48
hrs. Held mock court martial
(D.C.M.). president:- Col. Johnston R.A.
Maunganui, Arawa, Star of India
& Athenic, with 10 Australian
ships & the cruiser “Ibuki”
increased speed to 13 knots and
will coal at Aden before
the remainder arrive.

Ships run 254 miles.

Saturday Nov 21st

Fine day & calm sea
Hove to at 9-30 am while
burial of Lewis of Ambulance
Corps took place from the
Maunganui. The Australian
ships Ascanius & Shropshire
collided during Friday night
each received slight damage
are are able to proceed.

Ships run 291 miles.

Sunday Nov 22nd 14

Glorious day but a little
more sea on owing to a
monsoon passing in the night.

Very heavy rain fell for
about an hour during the
disturbance.

Ships run 292 miles.

Monday Nov 23rd 1914

Beautiful weather, smooth sea
Island of Socotia was
sighted at daybreak.

Ships run 289 miles.

Tuesday Nov 24th 1914

A perfect day, remarkably
smooth sea, without a breath
of wind until afternoon.

Sighted land (Arabia) on
starboard quarter. Porpoises to
be seen in shoals disporting
themselves. Ships run 296 miles.

The most beautiful sunset
this evening, seen during
the voyage. Cloudless sky
clear & moonlight night.

Wednesday Nov 25th 14

Arrived at Aden at daybreak & anchored
in the stream. H M S
Sydney left port at 6-30 am
said to be in pursuit of Turkish
gunboat in Red Sea. I reported
at Manganui at 9-30 am
with returns as ordered. No
shore leave allowed to anyone.
Shot from fort gun was fired
over bows of “Arawa” as we did
not drop anchor quite soon
enough this morning. The
projectile struck the water just
ahead and rather scared some
of the men. Thirteen English
Transports with Territorial
troops for India are also
in stream here. The fleet at
anchor is therefore 51 page 35 transports — 4 warships and
a number of merchantmen, a
very imposing spectacle.

The slower squadron of our
ships arrived during afternoon.

Aden from the sea is a
sandy rocky desert waste
especially on such a hot day,
but the harbour scene at
evening was magnificent.

Received copies of Reuters'
cabled war news of the
last ten days.

Thursday Nov 26 - 14

Left port (Aden) at 6 am
together with whole of
Aust. & NZ transports preceded
by HMS Hampshire.
Jap. “Ibuki” remained in port page 36 and will escort the
English transports to Bombay.

Passed a number of merchant
ships on the way to
Perim Is. at entrance to Red
Sea. Farewell messages
exchanged between Maunganui
& Ibuki. Passed Perim Island
& entered Red Sea 2-30 pm.

Ships run to noon 58 miles

Perim Island desolate place
no sign of vegetation, but it is
British coaling base & fortified
to command straits, which are
called “Hell's Gates”. Again a
magnificent sunset behind
the rugged coastline of Africa.

Friday Nov 27 - 14

Usual tropical day, as
hot as ever. Smooth sea.

About 20 ships some of page 37 them British transports
passed South last night and
today. The Red Sea seems
alive with ships. Ship's run
272 miles. We were getting
too far ahead of the Australians
& slowed to 8 knots this evening
as N. Z. Convoy is now leading.

Gorgeous sunset in a cloudless
sky.

Saturday Nov 28th - 14

Red Sea.

Extremely hot day. Temp.
in my cabin 96°, sea water
temp. 86°. Engine room 120°.
passed numbers of ships but
are not permitted to communicate.

Received notice to be prepared
for any eventuality re
disembarkation and interpret
same to mean that we page 38 probably land at Suez.
Second inoculation commenced.
Ships run 253 miles.
Maunganui & Orvieto
went on ahead to Suez
leaving Arawa as flagship
of N.Z. squadron.

Sunday Nov 29th 14

Welcome North wind sprang
up last night & continued
through day. Atmosphere now
cool & pleasant. Choppy sea.
I was inoculated second
time. Ships run 250 miles.

Monday Nov 30th 14

Fine day with strong Northerly
wind & choppy sea. We page 39 now seem to have emerged
from the hot zone for the
present and matters are much
more pleasant. The second
inoculation affected me rather
more than previous one but
only for about 24 hours.

Information today that
we go on to Port Said.
Entered Gulf of Suez about
3 pm and ships formed single
line, “Arawa” leading.

Chaplains are much interested
in view to starboard (Mt. Sinai)

Ships run 245 miles
— To Suez 228 m.