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17 March 1906 — En route to Venice | |
Saturday. 17th [March 1906]. It grew a good bit cooler last night & a strong head wind began at daybreak—so that it seems quite cold today & one is glad of warmer clothes & there is a slight roll of the ship. In the afternoon there was a small excitement. A steamer was signaled in distress. It was full of Russian soldiers returning from the Far East war with Japan– It was drifting about helplessly—replied by signal that her machinery was broken but declined assistance. This delayed us a bit but we set off on our way when the disabled ship signalled again that she would accept help so we turned round & approached her– Then came another signal to say she did not want us & as another steamer just then appeared in sight we turned & went off. This delayed us a little while & the Capt. was naturally furious & only answered to any enquiry from a passenger “They are mad, all mad.” We heard afterwards that the charges of the P&O Co for salvage is enormous especially as the mails when they are late at Brindisi have to pay an enormous fine—so that the Russian ship was glad to avoid having to employ the Moldavia. This little incident delayed us a couple of hours so that we did not reach the entrance to the Suez Canal as early as we expected & then we had to anchor of some time to wait for the way to be clear– We saw 2 vessels emerge from the Canal & were able to enter it ourselves just about sunset. It is an interesting & curious thing to come in to it and I was glad to be able to be on deck just before dinner to watch it. We had the usual 2 services morning & evening. | |
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