大象传媒

CHAPTER 3 MURMANSK

It was a Sunday morning when we got to our first berth to discharge a very large motor-launch. Everything was quiet and peaceful, but we saw plenty of evidence of there having been some nasty heavy raids. In fact only the previous day had seen the end of a non-stop 72 hour attack. Hearing that made us realise what we could expect.

We neither saw or heard anything for the next two days, then, quite suddenly, just at tea-time, a plane seemed to come from nowhere, and before anyone had time to do anything, had discharged a stick of bombs along one of the discharging piers. The guns on shore of course, opened up a heavy barrage, but without any luck, and, as other planes came in to drop their bombs, things were soon livened up.

Next afternoon, again at tea-time, we were warned by the sound of gun-fire that 'Jerry' was paying us another visit, and we had our first night of no sleep as this raid continued for sixteen hours, ending just before breakfast-time next morning. During this raid there was a heavy ground-fog, making it possible for the planes to come below the gun barrage. A good deal of damage was done to the buildings and quays, but it did not stop work on the discharging of these war supplies. Repairs to lines etc. were soon carried out and work resumed.

These raids became an almost everyday occurrence. Someone did try to keep a record of the number of hours in each 24 that we had these visitors, but they soon got fed-up and lost count, as they came so thick and fast. On rare occasions we could have a spell of quiet for two or three days, but there was always that uncertainty, which was almost as bad as having an actual raid, because it was not safe to go to bed as they came upon us so suddenly. We would not hear any sirens, and our first alarm was through the sound of gun-fire. During two or three of these raids we had to let go of all mooring wires, and do a hasty move out into the river, as sheds were set on fire very close to the ships.

The Russians put up a terrific anti-aircraft barrage, but the bark was much worse than the bite, as we never saw any planes brought down. It seemed as though the planes knew where the firing would be next, and they came down below it. Next time they would be higher than the bursting shells.

On one occasion we were lying at anchor near to the naval base, and were watching between 30 and 40 planes flying around, when suddenly, out from amongst them dived a 'Jerry' and let go a large bomb aimed at a destroyer. It was only another near miss, but the suddenness of it took everyone by surprise, and he got clean away without a shot being fired.

All of these raids were only what one would expect, as his advance aerodromes were only 55 miles from Murmansk.

I regret now that I have not kept my diary up to date, but on receiving a new one from home in the Christmas mail was able to pick up the threads again and carry on.

We left Murmansk to go down the river to the jetty near to the aerodrome and naval base on the evening of Christmas Day. Another convoy had just arrived, but we had to anchor, as tied up to this small quay was H.M.S. Onslow, the destroyer whose captain had been badly injured. He was being taken from the ship to go to the naval hospital. His name was Captain Shirebrook R.N., who had led his flotilla straight at the German cruisers who were thinking of attacking the convoy. For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

We discharged the planes that we took from the American ship J.L.M.Curry onto the jetty, and then returned to Murmansk on the 29th December 1942.

We found our Christmas mail waiting for us. Oh what a pleasant surprise to get such a big mail. Mine consisted of 12 letter-, 2 parcels, and several bundles of papers.

After reading all of my letters my intentions were good. I was going to begin to answer some of them, but these raids were beginning to tell their tale. I was much too shaky, and could not hold my pen steady enough to write up the engine logbook. It was just as much as I could manage at the time.

The wind was now blowing hard and it was very cold indeed. The temperature was in the region of 5 degrees below zero-37 degrees of frost. It also began to snow. That is what we wanted, as it would help to keep 'Jerry' way. Unfortunately it did not snow for very long, and by 4.30 in the morning he came over again and within a few minutes had set fire to the pier that we were at. That made us do another hasty move out into the river. We returned to resume work at 3 p.m., and had no sooner started than back they came again. However, work carried on as they wanted us away down river again that night. Cargo work was finished at 10 p.m. and off we went at once.

All the time we were going down the river he was dropping some very heavy stuff as well as incendiaries. We anchored at about 2 a.m., to wait for a berth at the jetty, and once we did get alongside we soon got started unloading the planes again. However, a fog came down and we had to anchor once more.

It was during this spell that I began to answer my mail, as I was not as shaky as I had been. However, it would still be difficult writing to read.

We eventually got alongside an American ship, but it took about two hours to take on board two planes. The weather was very bad - windy, snowing and freezing hard - but even that did not keep 'Jerry' away as we had another raid just about tea-time, and as it shook us up a little, I could not get on with my letters.

On Sunday 3rd January the first of another convoy arrived. They had left home on 22nd December, so had come over at a good speed, although attacked by light surface craft. As we were lying at anchor it was peaceful in our immediate but they were having a heavy raid in Murmansk. The fog was now very bad and we could not get going back to the jetty. Eventually, during patches, we did make it, and discharged two planes which we had had on board for four days.

When we left the jetty to go for more planes we could not find the ship in the fog, so we anchored for the night.

The next morning, through the patches in the fog, we found the ship that we had taken the planes from, and managed to get alongside her by 11a.m.

It was at this time that we had our first trouble with the winches, and both the third engineer and I had a rough time fixing repairs in this climate. The cold wind and the snow made it very unpleasant work. Hammers and spanners which dropped onto the deck immediately froze. At the same time there was another air raid over Murmansk.

When we got finished with this american ship we went on to Murmansk, and were all in a very jumpy state, as 'Jerry' planes kept coming over just as they pleased. My feet were now bothering me-tired and sore-but I had not much chance to get my sea-boots and stockings off to give them a good soaking.

The next day things had improved somewhat, and I did manage to get my feet into some water-the first time for I don鈥檛 know how long. A clean pair of stockings and I felt much fresher-so much so that I finished some letters.

Although I felt dead tired I simply could not sleep. Even the slightest noise made me jump.

I can honestly say that these days I was very, very, homesick. I often sat wondering just what home was like, and if everything was well with them all, and praying for the safe journey of our relief鈥檚, which we knew were on the way.

On January 11th,Monday, we received another few letters. For a short while they buck you up, and then you turn homesick again, and start thinking. This, with continuous raids, tested us severely, and for the next four or five days we were the most miserable crowd that you could find anywhere. Then, on the 16th January, more mail arrived, and I received 9 letters and many papers. I began to buck up, especially as we now had a lot of snow falling, and looked forward to a few hours rest. I made myself comfortable on my settee, and when I was called at 2 a.m. to shift ship, did not grumble, as I had not managed to get any sleep by that time. Shifting was finished by about 4 a.m. and I was able to get some sleep for about 2 hours, to be wakened by the sound of gunfire. No, they would not even let us have our breakfast in peace, but after a hectic morning they gave us a rest for the afternoon and night. Mr. Lauder and Mr. Watson and I sat talking - mainly of home - in my cabin until nearly midnight, when we decided to lie down. Being so tired I fell asleep very soon, but jumped up sharply at 4.30a.m. when the guns barked out again but only for a short spell.

All this time we were getting anything from two to three shifts every 24 hours, and as I was also busy checking over my stores, n readiness for my relief, I was kept very busy.

It was on Saturday, 23rd.January, that Mr. Dalgliesh came on board to give us our ships which we had to join to sail home. I was to join the 'Empire Meteor' along with our master and three officers. We also learned that this convoy was due to sail for home not later that January 30th. The next day, Sunday, while having dinner, we heard a very impressive church service on the radio, but that only made us unhappy.

I began to sort out and pack my clothes, but again had to stop as those raiders came again. Had another go at packing the next day, and this time finished the job. I was now ready to step off this ship within the hour.

We moved later to go down the river to finish off one or two ships which of our reliefs had not arrived-mine was one of them. The Chief Officer, 2nd.Officer, and one donkeyman were also disappointed It was a fearful knockout to hear that news, but we could not make any better of it. We just had to stay on until they arrived and were relieved.

The 'Empire Baffin', which was bringing our reliefs had had to turn back with engine trouble.

When the trawler came on 22nd. January to take off our shipmates, we who were to stay felt very sick at the parting.

Before the new crew had time to settle down we had orders to shift, but it was not a long job this time, and I got onto my back very early that night, and, for a wonder, we got a good nights sleep. No raiders bothered us.

The following morning some mail came on board but too late to send out to the ship that the others had boarded to go home. They sailed for home at about 9a.m., and as we saw them moving from their anchorages we got a nasty sickly feeling. We should have been with them, and I think we went about all day in a sort of haze. Thank goodness that we were not troubled by raiders.

For the last few days our fresh water supply had been getting too low to be safe, so when nothing was being done, in spite of repeated requests, there was nothing for me to do but take drastic measures. I stopped all work on the cargo by shutting down all the necessary steam. That caused them to open their eyes, and very soon got a lighter with water sent to us. They got steam back again when all of that water was on board and not before. That action did not suit the Russian people, but we must have water before we can get steam. It certainly served its purpose, because they next arranged for us to go alongside the 'Empire Snow' to fill up our coal bunkers. This was also the day that the Chief Officer was suspended from duty by the Ministry of War Transport, and the Second Officer was promoted to Chief Officer.

We now seemed to be going to have a change in the weather. It was much milder, and the temperature was about 30 degrees. The sky was again clear-not a cloud to be seen-so we could expect raiders over any time.

Our other shipmates had not been a week on their journey home, and we were wondering how they were faring, and whether we would soon be on our way. Oh, it was depressing, this waiting for our reliefs, and they could not even tell us if they had left home yet. The new crew were already sick of this job, and were looking out for their reliefs already! I myself could hardly find the energy to do anything - just sat in my cabin dreaming of home.

Towards the end of the first week in February we had three days of wind-blowing gale force, and with it there was more snow, so you can imagine what conditions were like-but while we had that we had no raiders.

I was still feeling very homesick, as, bout this time, February 10th.,we thought that our old shipmates should have reached Scotland, and wondered if they had got through without much fighting. The Second Officer and I spent hours together talking over all our troubles, but it was not until the 13th.February that we heard, through the kindness of Lieut.Cook R.N., that they had all arrived safely. We were very pleased to hear the news-but it set us wondering what our fate would be when we sailed for home, and wondering if, and when, our reliefs would come. The very next day we were told that the convoy bringing them had not yet left home, and here we were, looking for them every day. It was certainly a game of patience!

A few days later, on the 17th.February, we heard that the next convoy was due on the 25th. February. That did not help me much, as I now kept wondering about our trip home, and if we should have a quiet passage and arrive safely. I kept imagining all sorts of things, which I should not have done. If only these raiders would give us a little peace once in a while.

We had a very heavy raid from midnight on the 19th, February until nearly breakfast time. Of course the Second Officer and I jumped as soon as we heard the first sound of a gun, and by this time the new crew did the same, as they began to realise that it was not easy to stand up to this sort of thing for such a long period. It was now 27 hours since I had had any sleep, and here we were, to shift the ship again as soon as breakfast was over. That shift took us until after dinner, then I had a little job to do on one of the dynamos. That was no sooner finished than back came the raiders, and they kept us company until 3.45 the following morning. I think that I just dropped on my settee then - 53 hours since I last slept - but they did not return until 7.50 p.m..I did get a few hours rest in between meals. This last visit lasted until midnight, and then I did not sleep for worrying.

Sunday the 21st. February was a glorious day with a fine clear sky, yet we knew what to expect, and sure enough, over they came just after 10a.m., and bothered us all afternoon, and up to 9.30p.m..

This had been the very worst week that we had had since we came here. The Second Officer and I were now nearly 'crackers', sitting for long periods, talking of home - he planning his forthcoming marriage - I wonder - its a strange life this - just wondering what is coming next. We wonder if we shall be in our own homes three weeks from tonight - that will be March 11th.-time will tell.

The following days were just as trying as the previous weeks, at times I must have slept standing on my feet. In the engine room I was just about afraid to be left alone. Friday afternoon, 26th. February, Mr.Dalgliesh sent for Maurice and me. He said that he had some good news for us and also some bad news. He decided to give us the bad news first. Our reliefs were NOT in the next convoy. Well, you can imagine how we felt when we heard THAT news. His good news was that a relief crew was coming out for the 'Empire Bard', and he was going to try his very best to get the Chief Officer, Second Officer, and Second Engineer to come to this ship to relieve us, instead of going to the 'Empire Bard' .Well, that gave us just a faint of hope. If we had to spend a second extension out here, how we should manage it Heaven alone knew!

Next day, Saturday, was a beastly day .The convoy had not yet reached port, and the bombing was of the worst. I really cannot describe how Maurice and I stick it. We wonder if we should ever see our firesides again. Sunday came fine and clear, and very early those raiders got busy-but we saw these ships coming in, and oh, what a wonderful sight. but still we were not sure that we would get away, and all I could do was wander aimlessly about, doing nothing-just thinking and hoping. I could not pull myself together once that day, to go inside the engine room, even when we had to shift, but left it to the Chief and 3rd.Engineer.

At 7p.m. Lt.Cook came down and called for us. Yes, it was time, our reliefs were now coming on board, and within 30 minutes we were over the side and away to the trawler which was to take us to the 'Empire Tristram'.

Just as we got on the trawler 'Jerry' paid us a farewell (we hope) visit, and I can tell you that he did drop a lot of heavy stuff, doing a lot of damage, the old ship that we had just left having her luckiest escape so far. This raid was so heavy that they did not dare let us on board the 'Empire Tristram', but I am glad to say that it did not last long, and it was a big relief to find that, at 9.45 p.m.,we were actually on a ship bound for HOME!

We soon found our cabins, and, as there were no more raids that night I slept soundly, my mind now being a little easier - but what was the voyage home to be like - I still wondered about that.

CHAPTER 3 MURMANSK

It was a Sunday morning when we got to our first berth to discharge a very large motor-launch. Everything was quiet and peaceful, but we saw plenty of evidence of there having been some nasty heavy raids. In fact only the previous day had seen the end of a non-stop 72 hour attack. Hearing that made us realise what we could expect.

We neither saw or heard anything for the next two days, then, quite suddenly, just at tea-time, a plane seemed to come from nowhere, and before anyone had time to do anything, had discharged a stick of bombs along one of the discharging piers. The guns on shore of course, opened up a heavy barrage, but without any luck, and, as other planes came in to drop their bombs, things were soon livened up.

Next afternoon, again at tea-time, we were warned by the sound of gun-fire that 'Jerry' was paying us another visit, and we had our first night of no sleep as this raid continued for sixteen hours, ending just before breakfast-time next morning. During this raid there was a heavy ground-fog, making it possible for the planes to come below the gun barrage. A good deal of damage was done to the buildings and quays, but it did not stop work on the discharging of these war supplies. Repairs to lines etc. were soon carried out and work resumed.

These raids became an almost everyday occurrence. Someone did try to keep a record of the number of hours in each 24 that we had these visitors, but they soon got fed-up and lost count, as they came so thick and fast. On rare occasions we could have a spell of quiet for two or three days, but there was always that uncertainty, which was almost as bad as having an actual raid, because it was not safe to go to bed as they came upon us so suddenly. We would not hear any sirens, and our first alarm was through the sound of gun-fire. During two or three of these raids we had to let go of all mooring wires, and do a hasty move out into the river, as sheds were set on fire very close to the ships.

The Russians put up a terrific anti-aircraft barrage, but the bark was much worse than the bite, as we never saw any planes brought down. It seemed as though the planes knew where the firing would be next, and they came down below it. Next time they would be higher than the bursting shells.

On one occasion we were lying at anchor near to the naval base, and were watching between 30 and 40 planes flying around, when suddenly, out from amongst them dived a 'Jerry' and let go a large bomb aimed at a destroyer. It was only another near miss, but the suddenness of it took everyone by surprise, and he got clean away without a shot being fired.

All of these raids were only what one would expect, as his advance aerodromes were only 55 miles from Murmansk.

I regret now that I have not kept my diary up to date, but on receiving a new one from home in the Christmas mail was able to pick up the threads again and carry on.

We left Murmansk to go down the river to the jetty near to the aerodrome and naval base on the evening of Christmas Day. Another convoy had just arrived, but we had to anchor, as tied up to this small quay was H.M.S. Onslow, the destroyer whose captain had been badly injured. He was being taken from the ship to go to the naval hospital. His name was Captain Shirebrook R.N., who had led his flotilla straight at the German cruisers who were thinking of attacking the convoy. For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

We discharged the planes that we took from the American ship J.L.M.Curry onto the jetty, and then returned to Murmansk on the 29th December 1942.

We found our Christmas mail waiting for us. Oh what a pleasant surprise to get such a big mail. Mine consisted of 12 letter-, 2 parcels, and several bundles of papers.

After reading all of my letters my intentions were good. I was going to begin to answer some of them, but these raids were beginning to tell their tale. I was much too shaky, and could not hold my pen steady enough to write up the engine logbook. It was just as much as I could manage at the time.

The wind was now blowing hard and it was very cold indeed. The temperature was in the region of 5 degrees below zero-37 degrees of frost. It also began to snow. That is what we wanted, as it would help to keep 'Jerry' way. Unfortunately it did not snow for very long, and by 4.30 in the morning he came over again and within a few minutes had set fire to the pier that we were at. That made us do another hasty move out into the river. We returned to resume work at 3 p.m., and had no sooner started than back they came again. However, work carried on as they wanted us away down river again that night. Cargo work was finished at 10 p.m. and off we went at once.

All the time we were going down the river he was dropping some very heavy stuff as well as incendiaries. We anchored at about 2 a.m., to wait for a berth at the jetty, and once we did get alongside we soon got started unloading the planes again. However, a fog came down and we had to anchor once more.

It was during this spell that I began to answer my mail, as I was not as shaky as I had been. However, it would still be difficult writing to read.

We eventually got alongside an American ship, but it took about two hours to take on board two planes. The weather was very bad - windy, snowing and freezing hard - but even that did not keep 'Jerry' away as we had another raid just about tea-time, and as it shook us up a little, I could not get on with my letters.

On Sunday 3rd January the first of another convoy arrived. They had left home on 22nd December, so had come over at a good speed, although attacked by light surface craft. As we were lying at anchor it was peaceful in our immediate but they were having a heavy raid in Murmansk. The fog was now very bad and we could not get going back to the jetty. Eventually, during patches, we did make it, and discharged two planes which we had had on board for four days.

When we left the jetty to go for more planes we could not find the ship in the fog, so we anchored for the night.

The next morning, through the patches in the fog, we found the ship that we had taken the planes from, and managed to get alongside her by 11a.m.

It was at this time that we had our first trouble with the winches, and both the third engineer and I had a rough time fixing repairs in this climate. The cold wind and the snow made it very unpleasant work. Hammers and spanners which dropped onto the deck immediately froze. At the same time there was another air raid over Murmansk.

When we got finished with this american ship we went on to Murmansk, and were all in a very jumpy state, as 'Jerry' planes kept coming over just as they pleased. My feet were now bothering me-tired and sore-but I had not much chance to get my sea-boots and stockings off to give them a good soaking.

The next day things had improved somewhat, and I did manage to get my feet into some water-the first time for I don鈥檛 know how long. A clean pair of stockings and I felt much fresher-so much so that I finished some letters.

Although I felt dead tired I simply could not sleep. Even the slightest noise made me jump.

I can honestly say that these days I was very, very, homesick. I often sat wondering just what home was like, and if everything was well with them all, and praying for the safe journey of our relief鈥檚, which we knew were on the way.

On January 11th,Monday, we received another few letters. For a short while they buck you up, and then you turn homesick again, and start thinking. This, with continuous raids, tested us severely, and for the next four or five days we were the most miserable crowd that you could find anywhere. Then, on the 16th January, more mail arrived, and I received 9 letters and many papers. I began to buck up, especially as we now had a lot of snow falling, and looked forward to a few hours rest. I made myself comfortable on my settee, and when I was called at 2 a.m. to shift ship, did not grumble, as I had not managed to get any sleep by that time. Shifting was finished by about 4 a.m. and I was able to get some sleep for about 2 hours, to be wakened by the sound of gunfire. No, they would not even let us have our breakfast in peace, but after a hectic morning they gave us a rest for the afternoon and night. Mr. Lauder and Mr. Watson and I sat talking - mainly of home - in my cabin until nearly midnight, when we decided to lie down. Being so tired I fell asleep very soon, but jumped up sharply at 4.30a.m. when the guns barked out again but only for a short spell.

All this time we were getting anything from two to three shifts every 24 hours, and as I was also busy checking over my stores, n readiness for my relief, I was kept very busy.

It was on Saturday, 23rd.January, that Mr. Dalgliesh came on board to give us our ships which we had to join to sail home. I was to join the 'Empire Meteor' along with our master and three officers. We also learned that this convoy was due to sail for home not later that January 30th. The next day, Sunday, while having dinner, we heard a very impressive church service on the radio, but that only made us unhappy.

I began to sort out and pack my clothes, but again had to stop as those raiders came again. Had another go at packing the next day, and this time finished the job. I was now ready to step off this ship within the hour.

We moved later to go down the river to finish off one or two ships which of our reliefs had not arrived-mine was one of them. The Chief Officer, 2nd.Officer, and one donkeyman were also disappointed It was a fearful knockout to hear that news, but we could not make any better of it. We just had to stay on until they arrived and were relieved.

The 'Empire Baffin', which was bringing our reliefs had had to turn back with engine trouble.

When the trawler came on 22nd. January to take off our shipmates, we who were to stay felt very sick at the parting.

Before the new crew had time to settle down we had orders to shift, but it was not a long job this time, and I got onto my back very early that night, and, for a wonder, we got a good nights sleep. No raiders bothered us.

The following morning some mail came on board but too late to send out to the ship that the others had boarded to go home. They sailed for home at about 9a.m., and as we saw them moving from their anchorages we got a nasty sickly feeling. We should have been with them, and I think we went about all day in a sort of haze. Thank goodness that we were not troubled by raiders.

For the last few days our fresh water supply had been getting too low to be safe, so when nothing was being done, in spite of repeated requests, there was nothing for me to do but take drastic measures. I stopped all work on the cargo by shutting down all the necessary steam. That caused them to open their eyes, and very soon got a lighter with water sent to us. They got steam back again when all of that water was on board and not before. That action did not suit the Russian people, but we must have water before we can get steam. It certainly served its purpose, because they next arranged for us to go alongside the 'Empire Snow' to fill up our coal bunkers. This was also the day that the Chief Officer was suspended from duty by the Ministry of War Transport, and the Second Officer was promoted to Chief Officer.

We now seemed to be going to have a change in the weather. It was much milder, and the temperature was about 30 degrees. The sky was again clear-not a cloud to be seen-so we could expect raiders over any time.

Our other shipmates had not been a week on their journey home, and we were wondering how they were faring, and whether we would soon be on our way. Oh, it was depressing, this waiting for our reliefs, and they could not even tell us if they had left home yet. The new crew were already sick of this job, and were looking out for their reliefs already! I myself could hardly find the energy to do anything - just sat in my cabin dreaming of home.

Towards the end of the first week in February we had three days of wind-blowing gale force, and with it there was more snow, so you can imagine what conditions were like-but while we had that we had no raiders.

I was still feeling very homesick, as, bout this time, February 10th.,we thought that our old shipmates should have reached Scotland, and wondered if they had got through without much fighting. The Second Officer and I spent hours together talking over all our troubles, but it was not until the 13th.February that we heard, through the kindness of Lieut.Cook R.N., that they had all arrived safely. We were very pleased to hear the news-but it set us wondering what our fate would be when we sailed for home, and wondering if, and when, our reliefs would come. The very next day we were told that the convoy bringing them had not yet left home, and here we were, looking for them every day. It was certainly a game of patience!

A few days later, on the 17th.February, we heard that the next convoy was due on the 25th. February. That did not help me much, as I now kept wondering about our trip home, and if we should have a quiet passage and arrive safely. I kept imagining all sorts of things, which I should not have done. If only these raiders would give us a little peace once in a while.

We had a very heavy raid from midnight on the 19th, February until nearly breakfast time. Of course the Second Officer and I jumped as soon as we heard the first sound of a gun, and by this time the new crew did the same, as they began to realise that it was not easy to stand up to this sort of thing for such a long period. It was now 27 hours since I had had any sleep, and here we were, to shift the ship again as soon as breakfast was over. That shift took us until after dinner, then I had a little job to do on one of the dynamos. That was no sooner finished than back came the raiders, and they kept us company until 3.45 the following morning. I think that I just dropped on my settee then - 53 hours since I last slept - but they did not return until 7.50 p.m..I did get a few hours rest in between meals. This last visit lasted until midnight, and then I did not sleep for worrying.

Sunday the 21st. February was a glorious day with a fine clear sky, yet we knew what to expect, and sure enough, over they came just after 10a.m., and bothered us all afternoon, and up to 9.30p.m..

This had been the very worst week that we had had since we came here. The Second Officer and I were now nearly 'crackers', sitting for long periods, talking of home - he planning his forthcoming marriage - I wonder - its a strange life this - just wondering what is coming next. We wonder if we shall be in our own homes three weeks from tonight - that will be March 11th.-time will tell.

The following days were just as trying as the previous weeks, at times I must have slept standing on my feet. In the engine room I was just about afraid to be left alone. Friday afternoon, 26th. February, Mr.Dalgliesh sent for Maurice and me. He said that he had some good news for us and also some bad news. He decided to give us the bad news first. Our reliefs were NOT in the next convoy. Well, you can imagine how we felt when we heard THAT news. His good news was that a relief crew was coming out for the 'Empire Bard', and he was going to try his very best to get the Chief Officer, Second Officer, and Second Engineer to come to this ship to relieve us, instead of going to the 'Empire Bard' .Well, that gave us just a faint of hope. If we had to spend a second extension out here, how we should manage it Heaven alone knew!

Next day, Saturday, was a beastly day .The convoy had not yet reached port, and the bombing was of the worst. I really cannot describe how Maurice and I stick it. We wonder if we should ever see our firesides again. Sunday came fine and clear, and very early those raiders got busy-but we saw these ships coming in, and oh, what a wonderful sight. but still we were not sure that we would get away, and all I could do was wander aimlessly about, doing nothing-just thinking and hoping. I could not pull myself together once that day, to go inside the engine room, even when we had to shift, but left it to the Chief and 3rd.Engineer.

At 7p.m. Lt.Cook came down and called for us. Yes, it was time, our reliefs were now coming on board, and within 30 minutes we were over the side and away to the trawler which was to take us to the 'Empire Tristram'.

Just as we got on the trawler 'Jerry' paid us a farewell (we hope) visit, and I can tell you that he did drop a lot of heavy stuff, doing a lot of damage, the old ship that we had just left having her luckiest escape so far. This raid was so heavy that they did not dare let us on board the 'Empire Tristram', but I am glad to say that it did not last long, and it was a big relief to find that, at 9.45 p.m.,we were actually on a ship bound for HOME!

We soon found our cabins, and, as there were no more raids that night I slept soundly, my mind now being a little easier - but what was the voyage home to be like - I still wondered about that.

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