Click here for diary entry for Thursday April 10th (cont.) & Friday April 11th 1941

Mauretania went next at 9am. Then came the Nieuw Amsterdam.

Escorts : – Canberra

Were given marvellous send off. Ferries, launches and dingys came out to wave us good bye. All were absolutely crowded. Hundreds of people were waving from houses. All kinds of whistles were blowing. Saw my first flying fish. Beautiful day sea very calm. Saw the Captain Cook at Heads.

Convoy :- Queen Elizabeth, Ile de France, Nieuw Amsterdam and Mauretania – Queen Mary.

Planes flying over us for about 1 ½ hrs after leaving. Passed minesweepers returning to Sydney. Queen Mary joined convoy at about 2.30. Beautiful moonlight night outside sea like a mill pond.

Saturday April 12th

7th Day

Weather still fine. Sea smooth. Sighted land on both sides Tasmania and Victoria as we passed through Bass Strait. ??? island on left.

Click here for diary entry for Saturday April 12th (cont.) – Thursday April 17th 1941