THE RETURN

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1920, Page 4

THE RETURN

AN ACCOUNT OF THE VOYAGE HOME.

(By Charles Parham, of the N.ZtE.F.) Having been asked to give an account of my voyage home, I have consented to do so as I think it a good opportunity for expressing my thanks to all those who have shown kindness and sympathy to my mother, during my long illness. It would not be fair to attempt to name any iber'e, but lfet thoke whom “the cap fits wear it!’’ And while I’m on the job, I should like to state that, but for ■the almost uniform kindness of people in England I should have fared badly in hospital. Towards the last, all from the .highest to the lowest, including Doctor, Sisters, charwomen, were most considerate. Two ladies of the N.Z. Bed Cross I should like specially to mention, Mrs Wilson at Headquarters and Miss Dryden. Most Diggors who have been in either Brockenhurst, Codford or Tidworth call her “Mother” and well does she deserve the highest title that a soldier can bestow. What dreary holes these would have been without her! It is hoped that she will pay a visit soon to the West Coast, where she is 'sure to receive a hearty welcome from those who knew her on the “other side.” At last the longed for day arrived. It-was the 30th September, 1920, and I was actually going to start oh my long journey home. Having so often been disappointed, it seemed to be too good to be true, so much so, indeed, that I decided not to cable home until I arrived on board at Southampton. Making all early start from Bath, we got there in time ; for lunch.

Miss Dryden of the N.Z. Red Cross, had kindly volunteered to take charge of me, and had already made every ; arrangement for my comfort. What with Red Cross clothing, in place of mine which was Unwear;rble, cushions, and a comfortable deck chair, 1 was well provided for. The gangway was a long and steep one, so my friend com siderately had me carried up. Wasn’t I tired. After lunch T went to sleep and didn’t wake up till late when we were well out from land; in this way I missed the only meal that I didn’t .have aboard. This is “some record” for I had every reason for expecting that I should be seasick. For the first thousand miles out we had rough weather, moderate gales with frequent rain squalls. The heavy Atlantic swell caused the ship to pitch a good deal, but as she was steaming in the wind’s eye, she didn’t roll so much. It was difficult to get about especially with a stick. And at nieal times one could see that- there were lots of casualties, for many places which had been occupied during the first meal were now vacant. But on the ninth day out we reached the warmer latitudes and the weather changed. People now came up in numbers to enjoy the bright sunshine. On account of the storm we had kept well south of the usual routes, so we did not see much shipping. But as we neared America, several ships passed us, in fact, one fore and aft schooner sailed near enough to be photographed. She had every sail set and presented a pretty sight with the sun shining on her white canvas.

Before daybreak on the morning of the 13th October, we arrived at Hampton Roads. When the engines stopped I awoke, and, finding that owing to tlie unnatural quietness sleep was impossible, I rose and dressed. On reaching the promenade deck, I arrived in time to be invited to an alfresco tea party. It was pleasant to sit and watch the lighthouses flashing along the shore. The sea was incredibly calm, and presently the sun popped up from behind the horizon. It was like a great red ball of fire lighting up the tiny ripples and sending a broad crimson beam across the sea. After breakfast the pilot conned us up the channel to the quarantine anchorage, where he had to await the doctor. He was a long time coming and many people became impatient, for they had paid as much as 10 dollars to have their passports vised. But there was no hurrying “Uncle Sam”—as somebody put it. “They’re all hustle and no bustle.” Though when one considers the great volume of shipping they handle at Newport News, one is inclined to make allowances. Next, the Immigration Officer claimed our presence in the lounge. Only those whose passports had been vised during the last six months were allowed to go ashore, but I being in uniform was an exception. It seems a shame that the Yanks should make such a fuss while they can so easily

enter England. When we finally reached our anchorage (for there was no roofif at the huge C. and 0. Pier for us to coal) a couple

of floating cranes were towed, or rather, pushed, out to us by a tender. They made fast on either side of us and then waited barges of coal to be brought out. Attached by a wire rope to the crane was a large “Clam-shell Grab.” It was lowered from a pulley on to the heaps

of coal, and the jaws of the bucket closed by means of a rope from the winch. When the jaws had taken a huge mouthful of coal, they were hoisted up high into tlie air and sw'ung round to the top of a shute leading into the ship’s bunkers. Then the jaws were released, and the coal, with a roar and a rattle descended, sending up great clouds of coal-dust. We w'ero protected more or less, from this by canvas screens lashed all round the promenade deck, but it was very unpleasant never- , theless. The screens blocked our view and shut out what little breeze there might have been. It was very hot. To add to our discomfort the nerve racking noise of escaping steam, rumbling coal, and howling sirens w 7 as almost incessant. The decks and hand-rails had been scoured and tlie wet sand left there so that afterwards, when the coaling was over they might the more easily be cleaned. Seeing a sailor busily engaged in washing down before wc began to coal, I remarked that it seemed to be a waste of time. “Well,” lie said, “one would think so; but that is not the case.” “How’s (that?” I asked. “You see,” he said, “the salt spray makes the paint work sticky, and if it were loft on it would be much harder to wash off the coal dust.” Next morning we hoped to go ashore early, but as luck would have it they told Miss Dryden that she could not go ishore as she had no passport. After a I

loiig Whit the Immigration Officer said I that as she ivas a Hed Cross worker she could land, lii the meantime Sir Thomas MikcKbnzio (wlio had joined the ship the day before) very kindly offered to take me ashore if Miss Dryden could not go. The liutiich Louis 11 took us ashore. The Yanks are regular land sharks. The distance was about 300yds and they (jharged half a dollar each way. Arrived at the pier, we looked roiiiid for a car or automobile as they ball them there. A party of seveti tcibk a large auto. The Yankee .drivel- obligingly pointed out everything of interest. We passed thro’ NbWpOrt News—a dirty place which lias sprung into prominence since the beginning Of the war. It is thronged With triggers, who 101 l indolently about the streets. 11l spite of the tales one heats ttbout the bustle of the Americans, this place seemed to be , pretty dead at the time. On the way to | Old Point ConifOrt, we passed through some pretty country. It is very flat, I but the little copses of trees which grow all along the road lend variety to the | scenery. This is greatly enhanced by the absence of fences; The fields are separated froth one aftbtluy by ditches, and are not even feiicetl off from the road. Crops of all sorts were ripe or nearly so; maize (sweet corn), beans, and many other things including sweet potatoes were growing well in the light loamy soil. The Autumn tints of the trees and the glorious crimson of the Virginia Creeper (which grew wild everywhere on the trees and posts), were a welcome change to eyes which liad seen nothing but sea and sky for so long. Phoebis, FortMutiroe and several smaller places were passed through before we retUrhed to Newport News where we had tea. Many of the streets that we passed through were lined with trees; some even bad double avenues with lawns and side-walks between. In the residential areas no less than in the country, fences Were conspicuous by their absence. This system, though it adds to the scenery, must have its drawbacks. I noticed that most of the residences were of the so-called Colonial style, every house being provided with a deep porch, the roof of which was supported by absurdly bulky pillars. In the porticos were swings, swinging chairs, hammocks, and of course the übiquitous rocking chairs. Front gardens were not a feature—lawns with a few ornamental shrubs being considered sufficient. It was rather odd to see the occupants of the houses reading or taking it easy, sitting with nothing between them.and the street other than the sidewalks (footpath). It was in Newport News that I first met with the gtape fruit. This is, I imagine, a sort of cross between an orange and a lemon. In appearance they arc like enormous golden oranges. They are very juicy, often flavoured like grapes. Some are quite sweet and may be eaten like oranges, but usually they are' very sour and to be eaten with lots of sugar. The Americans cut them in halves crossways, extract the seeds, which lie round the eehtre, and cut them diametrically across and around the circumference so as to divide up the cells. Sugar and ice are then placed in the centre, and juicy pulp eaten with a spoon. They are very refreshing like this,-but some prefer an ice-cream or perhaps a “Sundae” to be placed in the centre.

Next morning we crossed to the pier in the launch and went on board the ferry for Norfolk. The steam along the James River was a most interesting one. We first passed our good old “tub” and then many of the steamers that wVd seen when coming ini It was a wonderful sight. There were hundreds upon hundreds of boats of all nationalities, sizes, and shapes. Stately liners lay alongside rusty tramps ; there were coal-barges, oil-tankers, railway ferries, timber scows, ' ami, “wind-jammers” of all kinds. Tugs towed long lines of barges, others pushed great punts loaded with mud and rubbish dredged up from the bottom of the river, while launches fussed about everywhere. It was indeed a sight to be remembered. One could now perceive why the doctor, the pilot and the immigration officer had been apparently so slow. Owing to the peculiar haziness of the atmosphere, even tho* the sun was brightly shining, one could not see a great distance. It was curious to watch the huge bulk of the Chesapeake and Ohio grain elevator fading gradually away in the heat-haze till there remained only a great C. and 0. This company must be a very powerful one, for most of the shipping facilities seem to be in their hands, while they own their own railways and coal-mines. (Continued.)