• 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
Location
At Sea
Age
17 Years

30th October 1940

BEEF

Another day of experience. Xxxx midday, the weather calmed down considerably and the sun even came out! This didn’t suit us much as we knew subs. were in the vicinity. It is estimated that the damage this ship has sustained is worth at least £2,500! At 5.30pm I was surprised to hear strong signals, as if something was close. Then she sent out a distress message. It was the “BALTROVER”, carrying evacuee children; she was with us in the convoy. She sent several messages. First that she had sighted a sub. Second that she was about to open fire. Third, that she was firing and doing 11 knots! (In convoy she could hardly do 8 knots!). Her position was only a few miles ahead of us – right in our course. Both of us were only going on dead reckoning, so it might have been nearer. Reception was terrible because the aerial had fouled one of the stays on the bridge. Loud cracks could be heard in the phones. The weather began to get rough again. It poured with rain. We had to free the aerial. It was fun! I did 7 ½ hrs continuous watch. I had 4 hrs sleep; and now I’m on watch again for 6 hrs. Am I tired? I pity those evacuee children. What’s the government up to, letting them come on cargo ships?