March 14th Sunday 1915 Aboard SS Umtata in the English Channel:
About 12.15pm Jim and I were having a few rounds with the boxing gloves, then Billy Barnett and I had another friendly spar. I had quite enough for that morning so took over the job as timekeeper. I had just called time, this was at 25 minutes past twelve by both Jims and my watches when suddenly I heard a strange noise. On looking I saw a great splash, then another splash, I shouted what is that boys which looked to me like a shark rising and splashing on the level of the water, - no it was not it was a submarine just firing a torpedo. It was making for the centre of our ship from the starboard side. I didn’t know really what to do. There was Jim and Dan trying to get the gloves off and shouting ‘come on Bill untie these’ thinking they would have to swim for their lives while the captain was shouting “starboard on starboard on” and I was looking to see exactly where she was going to hit, then I lost sight of it, the torpedo had passed the stern of the ship by inches. Still I was waiting for the explosion. I could not realise how it had missed us. But the captain had seen the submarine submerge so turned the stern round towards the port side, stopped the engines and brought the ship almost to a standstill, which allowed the torpedo just to miss us. At the same time as the torpedo passed our bows the submarine passed about 30 yards from our stern then we lost sight of her thank the Lord, because we had absolutely nothing to defend ourselves with so the Captain gave the order full speed ahead. I think that is the luckiest time I have ever had in my life, I shall never forget it as long as I live, although I don’t think I was nervous I am sure I was too curious to be at all afraid. http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyBritishBVLSMN1501.htm Well I was pleased when we had lost sight of Beachy Head. I think that is where the Germans have done most of the damage to our sailing vessel. Well I went to bed that night very uncomfortable but I think I was off to sleep in less than half an hour.