22nd - 31st March 1953

Sunday 22^nd

We awoke to the blue Mediterranean and glorious sunshine, though in the morning only.

At ten o’clock we passed land (probably C. de Gate off Spain)

The afternoon, however, was extremely cold and windy – and impossible to roam on deck.

317 today

 

Monday 23^rd

This morning we found ourselves about a mil off Algeria.  Its white houses scattered over the hill, and a cruiser lying just off shore.

The whole day we crept along the Algerian coast, keeping between 1 and 4 miles off shore all the time.

The coast is very mountainous and rugged.  The peaks appear to be shrouded in cloud and also covered with snow.

Today we witnessed the strange sight of the sea changing colour at a certain point.  There appeared to be a definite dividing line between the green and blue waters

301 miles today

 

Tuesday 24^th

The morning found us once again off the African coast.

At 7 o’clock we passed though the Galita Channel between Galita Is. and the mainland.  At the same time saw a school of porpoises very close to the ship.

At times we crept to within a few hundred yards of the shore, which is extremely rugged with sandy patches.  The whole of the coast line appears terribly mountainous.

Later we crossed the Gulf of Tunis, passing “Zambro” on our starboard.

At 6.30pm. we passed Pantelleria, with lights twinkling in the dusk, and a little cloud crowning the peak of its mountain.

This evening we head for Malta to deposit an appendicitis patient there.  We expect to arrive at midnight.

291 toady

 

Wednesday 25^th

Nothing in slight all day.  It was rather chilly at times

The only entertainment was the film “The Ringer”, which was quite good.

 

Thursday 26^th

No land in slight all day.  Busy doing nothing the whole day through.

 

Friday 27^th

Again nothing in sight the whole day through. 

Simply played cards and listened to records.

 

Saturday 28^th

Sighted Port Said this morning.  Picked up pilot at 7 o’clock and docked about 7.  From then until 2.30pm. when we sailed the ship was swarming with trades and bumboats, they sold everything from fruit, leatherware, watches, rings, photos, cosmetics, sweets, drinks, daggers, coshes etc.  there was also a magician aboard.  A solitary Egyptian guard strolled the bank with rifle slung.

Afterwards we began crawling down the Suez.  We were all struck by the negative energy – bareness and coldness.

* It rained while we were in post Said.

 

Sunday 29^th

Today we sailed down the Gulf of Suez and into the Red Sea in the evening.

The coast is extremely rugged and sandy, with no visible vegetation at all.

We passed several Arabs dhows and rocky islets.

The waters were very smooth and inky, with no sign of life.

There was a misty haze throughout the day, giving no dividing line between the sea and sky.

Witnessed a display of hypnotism during the afternoon.

 

Monday 30^th

Nothing in view all day, save the rippleless sea and the misty haze.

We wore tropical kit today, even so we sweltered under the Red Sea sun.

 

Tuesday 31^st

A pleasant breeze on deck eased the sweltering heat a little

Saw many flying fish after lunch (they appeared about 4” long and blue-silver n colour, and flew between 5 and 20 yards).

Had a session of Tombola in the evening.  Missed full house by one number – worst luck!!

Intend to sleep on deck tonight as the sleeping quarters are truly stifling (84°F last night).