Text + Transcription © F.Coakley , 2023
This is extracted from a series of reports found in the collected papers of G Stewart M.P a member of a Parliamentary Committee who visited many camps during 1915 including these HM.T.s (Hired Military Transports), some Cunard Liners.
On February 19th., the six Members of the Committee went to Southend,arriving there shortly after 11 a.m. in the hopes of seeing over the three steamers, "Saxonia", "Ivernia" and "Royal Edward".
On arriving at Southend Pier, no arrangements had been made by the War Office for our transport. A large motor tender with a closed-in cabin left the pier shortly after our arrival with mails for the German prisoners in the "Saxonia". Why this vessel was not granted for our use requires explanation.
After waiting for an hour or more and getting the coast-guard to signal for us, an open motor launch was sent off for us from the "Royal Edward", the result being that we shipped a fair amount of water and arrived on board very wet, in which condition we had to remain all day, and two of our number after their return to London had to travel another 200 miles without changing. With the above-mentioned covered-in tender available on the spot, this was quite a needless infliction of discomfort, on the part of the War Office, to their duly appointed Inspectors.
We thoroughly inspected the "Royal Edward",conducted by Colonel de C[blank] and the Adjutant,Captain MacCullagh, and found everything most comfortable and in fact luxurious.
Again there is the formation amongst the prisoners themselves of two classes, nicknamed Barons Court, and Whitechapel. An extra payment of 2/- per day procures for the former extra Mess comforts, and they live as well as passengers on a first-class Liner, having the same fare as the Colonel and Officers.
The men are sorted off into Messes who elect their own "Line Captains". The prisoners do all their own cooking and do it well, and keep the cooking ranges and utensils scrupulously clean.
The rations are regulation rations and extra comforts can be bought at the Canteen at fixed prices. The Canteen is run by Messrs. Dickinson & Co., Army Contractors.
The Commandant informed us that there is in all 3 ships a considerable waste of bread. The ration is apparently more than the prisoners require and much is thrown overboard. I think this a most regrettable waste, and the matter should be gone into and either the bread ration reduced,or something else substituted for it.
In view of the possible resumption of these steamers for cargo purposes, it is perhaps well to mention that the "Royal Edward" is distinctly a passenger ship and admirably adapted for the purpose she is put to at present, and would carry very little cargo.
The Commandant informed us also that while censoring Prisoners' correspondence he had come across a statement by a prisoner to a friend that he slept on a plank bed with a verminous mattress. When confronted with the request to produce either of the articles, the prisoner admitted that he had purposely written a false and lying statement to induce his correspondent to send him an extra supply of luxuries.
A Prisoner named Schwartz, whom we had seen the previous week at Stratford, had been transported during the week to the "Royal Edward".
All "Line Captains" were paraded and expressed entire content with their rations and treatment.
I went off with Mr.Strauss and Colonel Lindsay, the Provost Marshal of Portsmouth district, at 10.30 from Clarence Pier, Southsea, to inspect the 4 ships lying off Ryde. We thoroughly surveyed the "Ascania," and afterwards went on board the "Scotian," where we were joined at lunch time by Mr. Macmaster.
The Three Ships. Ascania with 1399 prisoners. Lake Manitoba with 1249 and Scotian with1138 (chiefly prisoners of war).
A total of 3780 are under the command of Major Graham Taylor.
The "Canada" is under Major Glossop, and is the only ship left of the three ships originally in Portsmouth Harbour. We inspected them in the following order:- Ascania, Scotian, Lake Manitoba, Canada.
The food seems in all cases good and plentiful. The prisoners complained of the sameness of the food,and no doubt the want of exercise tends to indigestion. There were no complaints of substance, although some grumbled, - a natural outcome of the ennui of ship life.
BREAD. The same waste of bread occurs here as was reported at Southend. Perhaps this might be obviated by giving a little more meat or vegetables in lieu of the bread ration, but I suggest that a vote of the prisoners themselves should first be taken before coming to any decision on a point of thi sort. If the bread was served out three times a day on a scale of 6ozs per man to each mess, the waste might be obviated, for at the Southampton Skating Rink the bread is served out in this way and all is consumed.
PARCELS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
The censoring of parcels and correspondence is essential and was efficiently and speedily done. It is to be regretted that on one occasion some parcels left on deck were missing the next day. The parcels are now always under lock and key before delivery, so that this cannot occur again.
GAMBLING.
The ennui of the prisoners' life on board ship seems to produce a considerable amount of gambling, which it is difficult to suppress. As it is likely to produce quarrelling amongst the prisoners themselves it ought to be stopped. There is a complaint that the general stoppage of newspapers and correspondence had been enforced on the "Ascania", for which many innocent suffered for the misdeeds of the guilty.
VISITORS.
There were some complaints that, through the Solent being a prohibited area, prisoners could see no visitors. But this is a minor matter. For valuable and dangerous prisoners the ships supplied seem very suitable, for escape seems to be well-nigh impossible.
AFRICAN PRISONERS.
There were a fair number of prisoners captured in Africa, and of these some of the Mercantile Marine officers complained that all their private money, except £5, had been taken by officers of the "Challenge" and "Cumberland". One man stated hat he had so lost $3750, but, looking at the man, I should think this statement requires careful investigation. In one case, one of the officers claimed that his nautical instruments, which were his private property, had been taken from him. As these Mercantile Marine officers are very superior men, I would suggest that their complaints are investigated.
If the principle of ships for detention is likely to continue the question of exercise and work requires consideration. Of the ships examined the "Lake Manitoba" seems to be the least suitable for the work she is now doing.
On Saturday, February 27th, we inspected the "Bevois" at Southampton, where there are 21 officers and 8 men. Everything seemed satisfactory, and prisoners were as contented as could be expected under the circumstances.
We also inspected the Southampton Skating Rink, where the bulk of the prisoners are soldier prisoners of war, although there are some Mercantile Marine officers from Africa, and some 8 or 9 suspects. Under the Adjutant, Major Burroughs, everything seemed efficiently worked, and there are no complaints of any substance.
SANITATION.
The earth closets, which are unsatisfactory, are being replaced by latrines flushed with water.
TNA CAB 45/207 - contains a series of reports found in the collected papers of G Stewart M.P
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see accounts of K Muller and Dunbar |
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or omissions gratefully received The
Editor Text + Transcription © F.Coakley , 2023 |
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