Diary Entries
Left Mai and Margaret at the dock gates, very sorrowfully, for I realised their helplessness, Yet I knew of Mai's capabilities to get on somehow. I was heartbroken to leave them but for some reason could not say so. Longing, as I intended to do, wanted to do, say what was on my mind. The longing that I had to turn back.
After I had passed through I looked back, hoping yet fully knowing that I should not see them for a long while. So I passed on to my ship and started work at once.
read moreDid not notice it yesterday. Ship sunk in harbour. Just see masts. boys quite excited about it as I was when I saw one in Belfast last trip.
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I started in galley again, after swearing I'd never go in galley again, but the steward is different. Forgetful but quite a nice decent chap and clean. He is very glad to have me and already we are pals. I do not have to peel spuds now as we have got a boy, tired but willing, slow to grasp anything. Some of the crew are glad to see me there, as also are some of the officers.
read moreLeft Belfast early this morning. Xmas at sea. Nearly did not leave for we had no Fourth Engineer. Chief refused to go without one. Got one eventually. We all got up late this morning, we were not called by the sailor on watch, meant much hurry and bustle in galley, caused bum to hurt again. Started then on medicine. Fires blew back, me too, burnt whole of my right arm, which was on the valve, adjusting the oil for flame. I swore good and proper.
read moreVery hard day today, terrible weather, rough ,cold and windy. My energy used up. Standing up catching pots and pans, still trouble with fires. Supposed to be lying up in New York for 3 weeks, dry dock, all necessary repairs and replacements to be made there, which will mean practically a new galley. It will be better to work in then. Our convoy is very small only 9 ships, 1 corvette 1 destroyer. I'm surprised but we are joining another one from Liverpool soon.
read moreShip still rolling. In really bad weather now, wonder what it feels like to be still, on Terra Firma, not straining to balance oneself..
read moreNothing exciting today. Oh! yes, I went to the lav. It hurt but since has been much better and really I have had a free day from pain except for the occasional twinge. Hope it is really getting better, taking medicine but nearly all gone.
My mate made my bed again today, have not got my full rigout yet, tin hat, light, knife and whistle missing. Told today about ship, she is leaking everywhere , even the petrol tanks. Also that our good Skipper is leaving us at the end of this voyage. Pity, for he is a good and quiet man and very conscientious at his job.
read moreWell, the Cook and I have just finished, 9.30 p.m. We were baking till 8.15p.m. then work in the frig. till now. And here I am, in my cabin, no wash, no nothing, too darned tired. We are in calm seas now, thank the Lord, as I shall sleep well tonight. The bum does not ache now but has burned terribly all day. I went to bed this afternoon till 3 o clock. I have a nice cabin now, roomy and the wireless next door in the sailors mess room. This is the best placed cabin in the ship, everyone is envious and I can understand them.
read moreWell, I went to bed in a calm quiet sea but soon after, up it came. Tossing the ship about like so much cork. Once we were hit by a wave so hard that the whole ship quivered, upsetting all and sundry. Our two armchairs flung themselves at my bunk (bed) frightening me stiff. The boy jumped out of his bunk shouting "We've been bumped Chef, get up quick" and he really thought that we had been torpedoed. It was a nightmare of a night, and so the bad weather continues again. It is very trying to one's stamina, strong and weak alike." I am weak".
read moreNice day, calm but heavy swell and cold. I feel fine in the morning till dinner time. when I went to the lav. Then the pain took me again, terribly so. In agony, could not ease it standing. laying or sitting. Glad it did not come on before dinner, for a lovely New Year meal was served from the galley. Twice I went to bed , got up again back to work, could not let my mate do it all . Eventually, after tea was served , I had to go. I just left the galley saying nothing and went to bed but not to ease. I was holding myself when the steward came in and saw me. He said I am to see a Doc.
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