Diary North Russian Expeditionary Force 1919
"Another stormy day. Many of us feel very seasick. Fortunately I've been able to keep going but lots of the officers who came aboard at Murmansk had to keep to their bunks. North Cape was sighted at 6.30 and here we got the roughest sea and heavy snowstorms. We could see that North Cape and surrounding hills and mountains were covered thick with snow.
"Weather better today. At noon we could make out the Norwegian coast snow-covered mountains. We shall follow this coast all the way down and then cross over to Lerwick in the Shetlands. Another fine display of Northern Lights this evening. Not so cold tonight.
"Expect to reach the Shetlands on Sunday at noon, that is if the weather holds good. Making good progress.
"Weather altered for worse during the night. Sea very rough and the boat is pitching a great deal. At times her stern is 30ft out of the water and then as the propeller races the whole ship seems as though she would break in pieces. Sighted the SS Cap Verde about 5 miles distant, apparently having as rough a time of it as we. Wind moderating a little and the swell not quite so bad.
"Sea much calmer but the ship rolls a lot and it is difficult work to keep the cups of coffee and plates of soup from sliding right across the deck or down the necks of those sitting at table.
"Sea rough, strong headwind. In consequence of having the 32 extra officers on board fresh provisions are running short so we shall be obliged to put into Lerwick. Ship is pitching a great deal.
"Reached Lerwick at one pm. The officers went ashore at 5 o'clock. I went at 6.15. Lerwick is a nice clean little town. Most of the inhabitants apparently are well to do. My mate and I strolled around the town after which we went to the little picture house. The film on the screen was John Halifax, Gentleman. It was quite good. Coming from there to the duty boat we looked into the recreation room in connection with the 'Mission to seamen' and I was surprised to see an old Newportonian, Mr Greenshields. Also at the bar was an SBR who was at Hasler at the same time as myself.
"The duty boat left the quay at 10.30. Nearly all the officers were drunk. Certainly everyone had too much to drink. My mate and I out of about 40 who went ashore were the only two quite sober.
"Ship got under way at 7am. Sea beautifully calm. Making splendid headway. Boat doing 11 knots. During the afternoon we had a sight, which is rarely seen in these days. We passed at very close quarters a full rigged ship with all her canvas spread. It is years ago since I saw so beautiful a sight. She was a vessel as big as ours with her white canvas filling with the breeze she looked very majestic. At 8pm we are making splendid progress off the Scotch coast.
"Arrived off Newcastle at one pm, staying just long enough to take on board the pilot. Proceeding on our way at 1.30 we were making 11 knots with a fair wind. Towards night the sea became very rough, the ship rolling and pitching more than it had done during any part of the voyage.
"We entered the mouth of the Thames at noon and anchored off Greenhithe at 2.30. It was a great relief to have a quiet steady ship again.
"Proceeded further up the Thames and then had to return to Tilbury. There was a lot of grumbling amongst the officers also amongst the ships crew at the delay. They are all so anxious to get to their homes.
"Arrived off Tilbury at 3.30 and anchored. At last a tug came alongside for the officers and there ensued a scene of wild confusion. Such a tremendous lot of luggage for the 32 officers. We were heartily glad to see the back of them. My opinion of British military officers was never very high; it is considerably, very, very considerably lower now. Uncouth, untidy, lazy without even the first principles of gentlemanly behaviour etc. and their language and conversation disgusting.
"During the night we were nearly rammed by a barge. It just missed our bows and ran across our anchor cables. She stuck there till this morning and was then towed off by a tug. It seems strange to hear the church bells in the distance. Although this is a Sunday yet it does not seem like it and I shall be very, very glad to be ashore again and enjoy a real English Sabbath day. For several months now I've not been to a place of worship and it is a sad loss.
"Quiet days. Lying out in the Thames there is not much happening. The King's yacht passed close to us with his Majesty aboard. During the past night I was awakened by a bang close to my cabin. Looking out I saw that a big ship had dragged her anchor and swung round on us. It caused some excitement. Fortunately very little damage was done. We seem rather in the way here.
"Workmen are busy unfixing our big gun, which will be removed tomorrow.
"Nothing doing.