York

Left New York. We all thought we were going ashore yesterday, but here we are once more on the briny in one of the biggest convoys to leave New York. 80 odd ships, all shapes andsizes including troop carriers. The emigration people were aboard yesterday for our identifications etc. We do not yet know why even anyway we did not go ashore.

It was my lay in this morning, 8.15am when I got up. Dinner time at home. My thumb was not done last night and now after cleaning up all the muck of the galley the bandage and everything has come off. Any it is not redressed. It looks awful bad, not burst yet. I shall probably have to have it lanced. Now I have got a bad place coming upon my other hand, believe me I'm doing fine. Glad though my bum is better.

New York today. We first start running in about 3 o'clock. It will be after 8 before we are at anchor. It takes a long time to get in here, land both sides and ships in and out for miles. We passed a convoy going out. Wish we were in it. We may have to wait till Sunday before we can leave. Saw an enormous whale this morning near New York, right close to the ship.

Nothing today, no doctor no excitement. Just work and rain and cold. But - the Skipper returned at 8.30 tonight. We have learned, uncertainly, that we stay here for a few more days yet. The truth is, Red Tape. American, at that and no one knows what to do with us. Send us south for repairs or stay here. Anyway, we shall be allowed ashore Tuesday, so my first visit to New York. I am looking forward to it too.

Getting nearer. I was told today that the Commodore's ship who had been holding us up all the way had to drop out yesterday owing to steering gear trouble. Now the other Commodore who took over has ordered 8 knots. So we are going faster now.

When we got on deck this morning it was pitch dark, we could see a fire in the distance. It turned out to be a Swedish ship (neutral) and it's not the first time it has happened this trip. Very ominous, for it will slow a convoy up for miles.