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E. V. "PASSAT"
PORT TALBOT. SOUTH WALES to PORT VICTORIA. SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CAPTAIN IVAR HAGERSTRAND- MASTER

Dec. 18th. 1948. At dawn we were picked up by the tugs,and slid
quietly out of the Docks at Port Talbot -and so "Good Bye" to that
small Welsh town. The mountains seen thro' the mist and the dock
lights, green and gold, made an attractive picture of a not very
attractive spot. We turned out into Swansea Bay where the compasses
were adjusted, then the pilots and compass man departed and the tug set
off for Lundy Is. Which we reached about dusk, where the tug departed -
and we picked up a fair wind and sailed gently and quietly through the
night- a very good start. I left Cardiff in 1940 and promptly got
'flu - however I'm hoping for the best this time!

Sunday 19th. Stayed in bed until 11 a.m. as cold very thick in my
head. Still fair wind. 120 miles from Swansea Bay, between Ireland
and Scilly Is. - somewhere. Being Sunday the ship is very quiet.
This afternoon Captain gave out comforts supplied by the Seamen's
Mission at Port Talbot - sea boots, stockings, gloves, scarves, and
pullovers. Full crew 36. I'm signed on as "Stewardess" because the
Owner has banned passengers - anyway women - and also to avoid light
[dues?]. A. is "mess girl" doing very light duties. " Stoo-erd" takes
a poor view of her! Very nice to see most of "our" boys back -
"Charlie" Burns, Bob [?immer], Rob Ryan, and of course "Pinocchio".
Haven't sorted out who's who yet. "Chief" has sobered up, after a
very poor start. Capt. had to "collect" him forcibly from a "pub"
in Pt. Talbot by the request of the proprietor!

Monday 20th. My cold still very bad, but otherwise am bearing up.
Anne somewhat hors de combat, but carried on between "bouts" of sea-sick-
ness. I got her a hot water bag and brandy and soda, after midday
meal and she retired to her bunk for an hour or so, afterwards being
definitely "on the mend". Ship very untidy and dirty, especially aft.
The lobby being even more of a "death trap" ( to quote "Willie) than
when we got aboard in Pt. Victoria. All hands trimming ballast in
for'ard holds. Going well, 205 miles for 24 hrs., a marvellous start
for the voyage. Cooking somewhat strange, mostly stews floating in
fat - and the good old "pea soup and pancakes" on Mondays!

Tuesday. Still spanking along - fair wind and following sea - another
210 miles to-day. Rather cold and grey, so didn't go on deck very
much. I thought the fresh air would blow my cold away, but it seems
to make it heavier. Royals being bent to-day - a terrific amount of
swearing and shouting by the Mates. At mid-day changed the course
from West to South. A. recovered, but is " minding her step". Back
lobby still a shambles, and lavatory arrangements still very disorgan-
ised. Yesterday A. burst in on the ancient "sails" "sitting pretty"
on the only toilet available! Still haven't sorted the crew out -
they seem very numerous, tho' actually only 4 or 5 more than coming
to England.

E. V. "PASSAT"
PORT TALBOT. SOUTH WALES to PORT VICTORIA. SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CAPTAIN IVAR HAGERSTRAND- MASTER

Dec. 18th. 1948. At dawn we were picked up by the tugs,and slid
quietly out of the Docks at Port Talbot -and so "Good Bye" to that
small Welsh town. The mountains seen thro' the mist and the dock
lights, green and gold, made an attractive picture of a not very
attractive spot. We turned out into Swansea Bay where the compasses
were adjusted, then the pilots and compass man departed and the tug set
off for Lundy Is. Which we reached about dusk, where the tug departed -
and we picked up a fair wind and sailed gently and quietly through the
night- a very good start. I left Cardiff in 1940 and promptly got
'flu - however I'm hoping for the best this time!

Sunday 19th. Stayed in bed until 11 a.m. as cold very thick in my
head. Still fair wind. 120 miles from Swansea Bay, between Ireland
and Scilly Is. - somewhere. Being Sunday the ship is very quiet.
This afternoon Captain gave out comforts supplied by the Seamen's
Mission at Port Talbot - sea boots, stockings, gloves, scarves, and
pullovers. Full crew 36. I'm signed on as "Stewardess" because the
Owner has banned passengers - anyway women - and also to avoid light
[dues?]. A. is "mess girl" doing very light duties. " Stoo-erd" takes
a poor view of her! Very nice to see most of "our" boys back -
"Charlie" Burns, Bob [?immer], Rob Ryan, and of course "Pinocchio".
Haven't sorted out who's who yet. "Chief" has sobered up, after a
very poor start. Capt. had to "collect" him forcibly from a "pub"
in Pt. Talbot by the request of the proprietor!

Monday 20th. My cold still very bad, but otherwise am bearing up.
Anne somewhat hors de combat, but carried on between "bouts" of sea-sick-
ness. I got her a hot water bag and brandy and soda, after midday
meal and she retired to her bunk for an hour or so, afterwards being
definitely "on the mend". Ship very untidy and dirty, especially aft.
The lobby being even more of a "death trap" ( to quote "Willie) than
when we got aboard in Pt. Victoria. All hands trimming ballast in
for'ard holds. Going well, 205 miles for 24 hrs., a marvellous start
for the voyage. Cooking somewhat strange, mostly stews floating in
fat - and the good old "pea soup and pancakes" on Mondays!

Tuesday. Still spanking along - fair wind and following sea - another
210 miles to-day. Rather cold and grey, so didn't go on deck very
much. I thought the fresh air would blow my cold away, but it seems
to make it heavier. Royals being bent to-day - a terrific amount of
swearing and shouting by the Mates. At mid-day changed the course
from West to South. A. recovered, but is " minding her step". Back
lobby still a shambles, and lavatory arrangements still very disorgan-
ised. Yesterday A. burst in on the ancient "sails" "sitting pretty"
on the only toilet available! Still haven't sorted the crew out -
they seem very numerous, tho' actually only 4 or 5 more than coming
to England.