My Diary in Serbia: April 1, 1915-Nov. 1, 1915Stanley, Monica M.
History
My Diary in Serbia: April 1, 1915-Nov. 1, 1915
Stanley, Monica M.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Hospitals; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
Sunday, Easter Day, _April 4, 1915._
Nearly every passenger dreadfully ill; only about ten people for
breakfast. The boat rolls most dreadfully. We could have no service. A
terrible Easter Sunday. I shall never forget it. I was kept busy all
the day. In the afternoon the only one of our unit left was overcome
with sleep, so she had to rest. The captain said that if any one was
not ill, they could consider themselves good sailors. I am more than
pleased that I have not been ill. We are having a very bad crossing;
every minute I think our end is coming. I have never been in such a
horrid boat. We have no stewardesses, only stewards, and they are
Africans--all black. The captain is English, and the first and second
mates Greeks.
The other thirty of our unit left to-day; they go from Folkestone to
Boulogne and thence by train to Marseilles, where they catch another
boat for Salonica. Owing to our leaving a day later they may arrive at
Salonica before we do.
Monday, _April 5, 1915._
We are still having a terrible tossing. I have given up my berth and
am sleeping on deck. The noises at night are something terrible, all
kinds of things falling and smashing. On Saturday night I jumped up at
2.30; I thought our end had come. I went round to see what had
happened; the luggage was pitched all over the place. I have slept in
the dining saloon the last two nights. The captain told us to-day that
we could undress at night, we were out of danger of submarines, but I
shall not until we are out of the Bay of Biscay. Most of us have been
on deck to-day. I am hoping by to-morrow they will all be well again.
To-night about 12 o'clock we hope to be at Cape Finisterre. I shall be
thankful, for I have not slept since I left home; the noise on this
boat has been so terrific.
We passed Villan's lighthouse at 10 p.m. It was a lovely night and the
water lit up with phosphorus. The captain appeared at dinner this
evening, so things are getting better for us.
Tuesday, _April 6, 1915._
All the sick are sitting on deck to-day, so we have not much to do.
This morning I played deck quoits with several of the passengers. I
learnt a little Serbian. We are a happy party; every one is so
friendly. We have sheep, ducks and fowls on board--all have been sick;
also two dogs. I slept on deck last night, a perfectly lovely night.
Wednesday, _April 7, 1915._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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