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MY JOURNAL FOR JOURNY ON BOARD THE EURIPIDES

March 11th 1921

What a day this has been. We got, off beautifully, taxied, to meet the 8,30 at St.Pancras - Fred coming to the station with us. There we met Aunt Alice and Daisy but the train had to be run in duplicate. There was a crowd and quite 200 children. We went by the second train and (I) was very disappointed that none but passengers were allowed to travel by the special boat train. I need hardly say the last goodbyes were very painful for one and all had done their very best to give us a good time in every way and I shall always remember it as a bright spot in years to come. When we arrived at Tilbury, I can't tell you how pleased I was to see Philip. It was nearer for Him to come there than go to St. Pancras and his was the last face I saw in leaving England. The Euripides was lying in mid-stream so we had to he taken off by tender, a very tedious business for we had to wait the doctor's pleasure before we could board the boat. What a scramble it was with so many children. What a fine ship the Euripides is - and 1 hear is carrying 13 hundred passengers. It took us some time to get our luggage again, it had been sent on by the first train. I don't know what I Should have done without Walter, but oh, the cabin. There are 6 bunks in mine and we are 3 adults and 4 children so you will know how happy I feel with this family, But Walter and Mary's cabin is quite close and unless for sleeping I Shall spend much time with them when not on deck. So far the menu is splendid. As soon as possible we had dinner, pea soup, steak pie, beans and Potatoes and rice pudding and more than a hundred sat down at a time. The afternoon we spent on deck watching the land disappearing from our view. A very lonely feeling came over me but found refuge in my crochet until teatime. That too was well-served, soused herrings, buns, jam and bread and butter - plenty of good tea. Since then I have done what unpacking is necessary but I don't feel a bit sick; neither does Mary or Walter. We must be making good headway, the engines are thrashing so! We left Tilbury at 2.30.

March 12^th Saturday

What a day but still things are righting themselves. There are 3-relays for meals and as we went in to dinner and took our places the Purser (by the way a very big man on board) came round and-told us for the remainder of the journey the seats we then occupied were to be the same for the journey - a very good arrangement for it was such a scramble before. Mary was in the first batch and Walter and I in the second so we can manage to keep baby always on deck which is much pleasanter. I must not forget to mention that there (are) 278 sat down to each relay and the children have a separate dining hall which is very nice. It is very windy and cold. In the evening it was very pleasant to see the bright lights from the French coast but I went down to my berth at about 8pm feeling anything but satisfied with with Mothersells At 12 today (16 hours 48 minutes we had covered 203 knots.

Sunday March 13th

I cannot say very much for today. I was very bad and Mary too. I could not touch anything but soda. Walter had his hands full between us. I was sorry to be laid up for there was a half past seven and 10.30 service held on board and was much appreciated my fellow traveller told me. But it was very rough. We were in the Bay of Biscay, rolling and tossing dreadfully and our berths are so hard, I felt sore all over. 24 hours 26 minutes. 280 knots

Monday March 14^th

Much better today and at midday we were out of the Bay and not rolling so much. I came on deck about noon. Walter brought tray on deck and really I felt 1 was enjoying myself a bit. I must not forget to say how pleased I am that I brought the teapot. There is every convenience if you have the articles to suit them. Walter makes a Cup of tea for us about 6 and after dinner which we take on deck - quite a little picnic we make of it I did net feel equal to anything but resting today but went down to lie and early to bed. 24 hours 10 minutes. 278 knots.

Wednesday March l5th

It is lovely today, sea beautifully smooth and very few absent from meals - and I feel much better already. Mary and 1 kept ourselves busy with knitting and crochet. At tea time the parson on board announced that there would be dancing on the upper deck where an. awning had been erected in view of the near approach of sunnier days. And a very brilliant electric light was put up and there was gay scenes from. 7 till 10. He also told us that there was to be a ball on St Patrick's night and many other functions are in the near future for which he hoped we should bring our purses with us when we go in to tea tomorrow and subscribe liberally to the prizes for the future events. We did in 24 hours 9 minutes 316 knots. Not bad, is it.

Thursday March 17^th

Dorothy's birthday. How I remember her coming to my little room at Home ( ) showing me her letters and presents. Well, we (are) rolling along merrily. There is skipping, boxing, the latter for boys to men and even young women. It is impossible to be dull in watching these events our good resolutions of work are forgotten until bedtime when we deplore the waste of time. It is lovely now: in fact I have been taking out some thinner underwear. I have a porthole in my berth but. Walter has not. It is very close in theirs. We are very early risers. Walter brings me in a cup of tea about 6 and I dress and come on deck till the second bell for breakfast about a quarter past 7, I'm sorry we missed the Canary Islands -we passed them in the night. Tonight there is a fancy dress ball; I wonder what it will look like .We did 324 knots yesterday,

March 18^th

Yesterday being St. Patrick's Day was fully kept up on board and many displayed the shamrock. From half past ten till 12 there were sports for children -skipping, high jumping, boxing, running. And in the evening there was a ball -some very smart dresses were worn. The upper deck was roped off. Mary and I had our chairs close to the ropes so had a good view -all the latest dances and all splendid dancers. The weather was lovely and the distance done in 24 hours 6 minutes was 320 knots.

March 19th

Lovely weather which has made people get out their thin clothing. One seems trying to out-do the other among the young people. A whist drive in the evening but not as well patronised as the dancers were, but more to my taste. We made a record in speed so far -333 knots in 24 hours 5 minutes.

March 20^th

Yesterday another very hot day, too hot to be anywhere but on deck. Not a ship in sight all day. Everyone you met was wondering which had won the boat race. With no papers and no postman to look for makes the days very long. In the evening there was quite a Music Hall performance but with the engines making such a noise and the water splashing you could not catch the words. But there was great cheering so it must have pleased. The supper bell rings at eight and every thing that is on stops at once, for we have to scramble to get bread and cheese which we bring away in our hands. Walter makes us coffee and although taken in that rough and ready way, is most enjoyable taken on deck, Our distance was, for 23 hours 59 minutes, 323 knots.

Monday March 21^st

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, really my first Sunday on deck for I was not well enough to leave my bunk last. Sunday. 3 years since dear Harry was killed. There was Holy Communion in the first class Lounge, quite 70 of us was partakers. And then the middle deck was cleared for a 10.30 service. I shall never forget it; 5 or 6 hundred people singing well known hymns. What a volume of sound there was and what an impression it must have made on many there. And although we have 4 clergy on board that 1 have seen, the Captain-took the service. We had quite a Xmas fare for dinner, roast pork; plum pudding and oranges after. I should have said there was soup but it is too hot for me to take soup. Then there was a childrens service at 3. 300 children I should think singing the hymns that you have all sung to me. One little thing jumped up and asked for 'Once in Royal David's City’ and I think everyone beside joined in the singing. Well, the first bell rang for tea. I think I have mentioned I go to the second sitting. I went to the side of the ship to get a little cool before going down and saw the flag being hoisted half-mast. Almost directly a part of the deck was roped off and a very {mournful?} sight presented itself, An old Bishop travelling to Africa had died at 2 o'clock suddenly and was to be buried. It was covered with the flag but I saw it slipped into the water, The corpse was sown up in canvas to quite its natural form but must have been weighted for it went with a splash, I did not feel much like tea after that, but we had another nice service at night and it was given out that all those who liked could sleep on deck - the women on the upper deck and the men on the middle one. I believe many availed themselves of the chance. And thus ended one of the most eventful Sundays of my life. Through all this the ship steals on, hardly noticeable to us but it has) done in 24 hours 57 minutes, 323 knots,

Tuesday March 22^nd

Yesterday rather a Quiet day but there were men’s sports; sack and obstacle races were very amusing. A ship - one of this Line - passed as near as possible and there were exchanges of greetings and more than one wet eye when some one said 'She's going home. Well, we must hope our time will come. Nearly everyone I have spoken to are like me and coming back. The distance covered by us in the 24 hours was 315 (miles).

Wednesday March 23rd.

Yesterday, oh what a hot day. My hair has not been dry for days. I believe we pass the line tonight. I shall be glad. I'm afraid I should shock you all if I told you of the thinly clad way I go about and sleep. We had a terrific storm break over us yesterday afternoon. Everyone was delighted to see it, hoping it would cool the air, but it did not seem to make much difference in the heat. Another old gentleman died in the night from heat. The stewards say they have not had such a hot voyage for a long time. Our time for the 23 knots was 248 hours 48 minutes. {As written but translatable!)

Thursday March 24th.

Another very hot day yesterday. I did not feel at all well but am alright this morning and it is a little cooler too. We are always having surprises, Just after we got to sleep last nights a loud knock and in came one of the stewards to shut and screw down our port hole, We were running into a storm so all had to be closed, About an hour after we had him reappear to undo the ? -this in the dead of night. It makes you wonder what is coming next. We are very early birds. The first breakfast is quarter past 7. I had had a bath soon after 6 but one feels glad to get up and go on deck to get a blow. Dear baby has had a prickly (heat) rash very bad. I think nearly everyone's have had it. Our time was 300 knots in 23 hours 48 minutes.

Good Friday March 25th.

Yesterday a very quiet day and a little cooler after a nice rain in the night. This heat has taken all (vim?) out of Mary and myself, I hope Australia is not like this - I shall not be fit for anything. Unless for the heat rash, baby is very well and getting so fat. I hope Walter will let him compete in the baby show next Tuesday. Our run was 306 knots in 24 (hours)

Saturday March 26th.

Yesterday, Good Fridays was a very quiet day. Service taken by the Captain at 10.30. I was asked to be godmother to one of twins on Sunday. They are 11 months old and their father has not seen them yet. They leave the boat at Albany. At present their mother is in bed with sunstroke. Another baby born last night. Our run yesterday in 24 hours 48 minutes, 306 knots

Sunday March 27

Yesterday weather was much cooler and nicer but we are rolling a good deal. I should suppose that we are getting top heavy for we must have consumed a good many hundred tons of coal and food in this long run. Great excitement here all day, quite a ladies day. All kinds of sports -one was very amusing; the lady had to tie a gentleman’s tie and keep his cigar alight at the same time, which seemed rather difficult for laughing. Our run in the 24 hours was313 knots.

Monday March 28th.

A very full day yesterday. I went to the half past 6 service and then there was the usual service on board which I like very much. In the afternoon there was a christening services 4 children, 2 twins 11 months old. I stood for one of them. The usual childrens service again and after our evening service a first class passenger gave a very -interesting lecture on Australia. There was a crowd to listen. I left them at it at 7.30 but it was rather rough in the night and I do not feel at all sure how I shall be again. Our run in 23 hours 48 minutes was 313 knots.

Tuesday March 29^th

Yesterday was a very full day. Some grand sports which with the dinner interval lasted till teatime and in the evening the middle deck was lighted up like fairyland and a most successful fancy dress dance took place. There were 84 competed for the prize and there were no two alike and the parade up the deck steps and around the first class quarters was a very pretty sight. Some of them were splendid and a young girl in a yellow paper dress and navy blue butterfly bow at back took first prize. The dance was kept up till Dark. How everyone is longing for tomorrow when we hope to get a glimpse of land, Table Mount and on Thursday morning we hear we are due at Cape Town. Hurrah, Our run in the 24 hours was 309.

Wednesday March 30

Yesterday was full of events as usual. The baby show in the afternoon was a great event. 26 babies competed and all of us? were the judges. At 6 o'clock a boxing show from boys to quite middle aged men but I cannot get interested in that sport so cannot say much about it unless it is that it was a sight to see the sea of faces all around the ring which had been specially mounted ? ? ? for the show. The run in the 24 hours, 308 knots

Thursday March 31^st

Shall I ever forget the day; very few slept much I'm sure, I could not, so got up early, had a bath and watched for the first sight of land. It was a welcome ? sight. We were soon in dock, before 9 o’clock but there were many formalities to go through before anyone could land, I recognised ?’s father at once and we were some of the first to land, We had a splendid welcome from them all and I think in the short time we were in Cape Town saw all the principal sights, It seemed so funny at first to be faced with statues of King Edward, Queen Victoria? and our principle leading men. What a lot of black men and half-castes there are in Cape Town. Our run which finished up at Cape Town was 265 knots.

Saturday April 2^nd

Friday was a very exciting day. I stayed the night with Mrs Abernethy where I enjoyed the nice bed and the comforts I had there. Walter and Mary left about 8 the evening before and came again on Friday morning and after lunch we went for a 13 miles ride on a tram that goes all around the Table Mountain and the lovely coast, Mary left baby who slept all the while we were gone, He has been such a good child all the journey. They provided a good ? ? for us and after a cup of tea Mr and Mrs Abernethy came with us to the boat for we had to be on board at 4. We left a short time after our only consolation for leaving so soon being one day nearer the end.

Sunday April 3^rd

Saturday was a very depressing day; the ship so dirty from coaling had to be thoroughly cleaned for the inside of the ship is all white paint so we were moved from place to place -and we were all feeling very tired. Our boat is carrying the mails to Australia so we are putting on extra steam. We (have) done in the 24 hours, 344 knots.

Monday 4^th

Weather very rough but still the Services were held on board just the same. It has turned much colder, we are glad to get into our big coats. All the portholes are screwed up again but we are steaming along. Our run in the 24 hours being 345 knots.

Tuesday April 5^th

We are a very dreary crowd. The weather has changed everything. It is so rough that our awnings have been taken down and it is raining and such high seas that it is impossible to stop on deck. And down stairs anything but pleasant with so many children and all the portholes shut; it is very close. But every day brings us nearer the end. Our run in 23 and a half hours was 318.

Wednesday Apri1 6^th

A very wet and co1d day. I only went on deck for a short time in the morning, and kept below the rest of the day. We did 330 knots in the 24 hours.

Thursday 7th --

Another stormy day so was not able to go on deck much, Did a little sowing down in my bunk and went to bed early, But we did 338 knots.

Friday 8^th

Daisy's birthday. I was in my bed all day with sickness. Felt very bad. I don't know what I should have done without Walter although Matron was very kind. Our run was 320-knots in 23 & a half hours.

Saturday 9th

Better but not up. I was sorry to have to miss the last prize giving and concert that took place in the evening. We did 323 knots in 23 & a half hours.

Sunday 10^th April

A very wet day and a lot of long faces. I was glad to go up on deck although it rained for a short time, No Service on deck today. We did 322 knots in 23 & half hours

Monday 11^th

A very rough day and our boat, although such a large one, is swaying dreadfully, But I don't mind so long as I am not sick. Our run was 319 knots in 23 & half hours,

Tuesday 12^th

Still very rough weather. Only able to be on deck a short time. This morning there was a great commotion; some one had opened a port hole when all at once there was such a rush of water which came in all the bunks on this flat, We had to sit on our bunks while the stewards bucketed it out. Our run was 330 knots in the usual time.

Wednesday April 13th.

Still very wet and stormy. Only able to be on deck a short time. Our time was 319 knots in 23 & half hours

Thursday 14

A little better today but we are still rolling a good bit. We did 331 knots in 23 & half hours

Friday 15^th

How excited everyone is. We are due at Albany tomorrow at 7 o'clock when we are all to be on deck for a medical inspection by the Inspector who will come on board. We do not put in port. A Tender comes and takes off the passengers and luggage. A baby was born in the night. First class passengers collected £32 for it

Saturday April 16th

Frank's birthday, 24 today. How well I remember the early start that ? I had to Queen Charlotte’s. Today all was bustle on board the Euripides at a very early hour. The Albany passengers were going off, Also, all the other passengers had to be on deck by 7 o'clock but it was a lovely morning and already the Postal people had come on board with letters and wires for the passengers. Walter and I both had a telegram from Willie Birch wishing us welcome to Australia and telling us he would be at Sydney to meet us. You cannot tell how it cheered us to feel we had Welcome. He is also sending a letter to Melbourne to meet us there, where we hope to be on Wednesday, Our engines started the minute the Tender left us and what a cheer went up to those who had got off, In fact I couldn’t describe the scene there was on board. People had come on by the Tender to give apples and chocolate to the children, boys selling papers, men with boat loads of apples to sell came on board and did good business among the passengers between offering addresses to intended passengers getting off, many of, whom were going to Freemantle and Perth and had to wait until the next day for a train. Albany did look a pretty place nestling among the hills but we were on the move very soon and now we see nothing but water again. Our run from 12 o'clock in 23 & half hours was 329 knots,

Sunday 17^th

A very quiet day after yesterday's excitement. We had Service in the first class dining room by the Captain. My favourite hymn finished the service - Lead Kindly Light. I might add, our Captain is a very religious man I feel sure. Our runs 319 knots,

Monday April 18^th

A very quiet day on board with a strong wind but we are in the Australian Bight so we expected it. Our run, 325 knots.

Tuesday 11^th

There is great excitement all round today. There is over –500 getting off tomorrow when we reach Melbourne. Our ship is getting ready hatchways for bringing up the heavy luggage in the hold, I expect after we have gone to our bunks. Our run 329 knots.

Wednesday April 20th. Melbourne Port

We were all up early on the look out for land which we saw at dawn, but we did not get into the port till 4 o'clock, It took a long time to get over 500 passengers off and it was quite dark before-they were gone. It seems so funny since we left the Cape; there has not been any twilight. Directly the sun sets, then the moon -comes up. There is a great noise and will be all night; the derricks will be at work getting the heavy baggage and cargo out of the hold.

Thursday 21st.

We left Melbourne Dock about 1 o'clock just after the Demosthenes, another of the same Company's ships, had anchored beside us. We were near enough to exchange greetings and with the friends on the Docks who had come to see their friends off. It made a gay scene. Cheers! On the last stage of our journey.

Friday April 22^nd

A very quiet day. We are all watching for the first signs of Sydney, We run very close to the land all the way from Melbourne and could see it quite plain. It looks very barren and wild. I must mention that we had a very nice letter at Melbourne from Kitty Smart; welcoming us to Australia and also telling us she and Mr Westland were coming down to Sydney to meet us. I hope you can read this account for it has been written under very difficult circumstances and always on my knee. I hope to finish this when we arrive at Aunt Sissies?

Saturday 23^rd

I was woke up about 4 o'clock by the slowing down of the engines. We had got to the entrance of the harbour but it was too dark to see anything. I got up soon after and got my packing done so that I could go on deck when it was light enough. I can quite endorse all I have heard about the beauties of the harbour, it was like fairyland and quite impossible to describe. Only my brothers wife met us for we came 5 days before time and Phebe only heard by wire from friends at Sydney that the boat was in before time, We had a very tedious time waiting to pass the Customs with having so many packages. We found Aunt Sissie very pleased to see us. I must leave all else till I write home again which will be after the mail from England comes in. This ends a ?(chapter?) and begins a new page in a long life.

EMP

(Have made minor corrections for easier reading. A few words unreadable and spelling of proper names uncertain in same cases, HF)

(July 2001 – scanned from Harry’s document – no doubt with errors creeping in.

I believe EMP is Walter’s mother or mother-in law to Mary (nee) Frost

R. Frost)