Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 22 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Chanak.
Jan 22nd 1919
Capt A.P.
H.M.S. “Europa”
Submitted,
It is requested that a 2nd Engimeman may be sent to
H.M.D. “Prime” No. 2289 at Cape Helles vice John B. Thompson 2nd Engn. who has been discharged to H.M.S. “Pelorus” sick & unable to carry on duties owing to private troubles.
This Drifter is engaged escorting between Cape Helles & Pos Z Imbros.
R.H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Div.
Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 22 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Chanak.
Jan 22/19
Div II Pay Office.
H.M.S. “Europa”
I beg to notify the following alteration in the personnel of crew of one of the vessels in my Division.
H.M.D. “Prime” No 2289.
John B. Thompson, 2nd Engineman discharged (unable to carry on duty owing to private troubles) to H.M.S. “Pelorus” Chanak.
Jan 20th 1919. A.M.
R.H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Div.
Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 22 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Chanak.
Jan 22/19
Div II Pay Office.
H.M.S. “Europa”
Enclosed I send pay sheets for six of the vessels in my Division, shewing the amounts they desire to draw on Feb 1.
I expect to come to Mudros about that date for food, clothing etc & will call for the amounts.
In the meanwhile it is requested that a statement of accounts for pay may be sent me as soon as possible for the crews (& Officers) of the following vessels.
H.M.D. “Northesk II” No. 2022.
“ “Northern Scot” No. 2425.
“ “Prime” No. 2289.
“ “Ten” No. 1052.
“ “Hopeful” No. 2386.
“ “Comely” No. 2387.
“ “Ebenezer” No.2294.
“ “Victoria II” No. 766.
observing that these men have received no statement of their pay accounts since Sept last.
It is particularly requested that a statement of the Victualling accounts to end of Dec may be sent for the ships, & in future once a month in accordance with Capt Ks Memo No 45 where notice is given of a probable change of crews in the near future.
R.H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Div.
Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 22 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Cape Helles.
Jan 22 1918 [19]
S.N.O. (A.P. Office)
H.M.S. “Europa”
In accordance with instructions received from S.N.O. Cape Helles. I have collected demands for Engine room & Deck Stores for month of February from the following vessels in my Division.
H.M.D. Northesk II No. 2022.
Prime No. 2289.
Ten No. 1052.
Hopeful No. 2386.
Comely No. 2387.
Victoria II No. 766.
the other two vessels – Ebenezer No. 2294 and Northern Scot No. 2425 – being I understand under Black Sea Command.
Arrangements will be made for a Drifter to be sent for food & clothing for Feb. about end of the month & could collect Deck & Engineroom Stores also if convenient.
The first six items on Deck Stores list for Northesk II are returns & the old will be sent back immediately on receipt of new.
The hatch cover is urgently required as the present one lets all water through & stores are continually being ruined in hold.
The Hand Scrubber & Wash bowl marked lost overboard, were washed overboard by a very heavy sea which broke on our beam at Cape Helles Jan 19th.
R.H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Div.
Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 22 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Cape Helles.
Jan 22nd 1919
Commanding Officer.
H.M.S. “Europa”
Sir,
I have the honour to report the following mine sunk by one of my Division while returning to Aliki Bay Imbros to anchor after completing her days’ escorting duties.
H.M.D. “Ten” No 1052. (local No 94).
Date: – January 17th 1919.
Position: – 400 06’ 30” N 260 00’ 00” E.
Depth of Water: – 24 fthms.
Description: – Floating mine, (British) Spherical bottom upwards with bar across.
Name of Mine: – British Elia (Fig 36 Book of Mines).
How sunk: – Rifle Fire (Mark VII).
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
Reginald H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Div.
Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 22 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Cape Helles.
Jan 22 1919
Staff Paymr (V)
H.M.S. “Europa”
In accordance with signal received from S.N.O. (H) I have collected chits for victuals and clothing for month of February, from vessels in my Division & send same herewith.
Provision Chits are enclosed for the following vessels.
Northesk II No. 2022.
Prime No. 2289.
Ten No. 1052.
Hopeful No 2386.
Comeley No. 2387.
Victoria II No. 766.
I have not included Chits for “Northern Scot” No. 2425 or “Ebenezer” No. 2294, as I understand these two vessels are on the books of “Caesar”.
Slop Chits (Clothing, Soap & Tobacco) are also enclosed for crews of the same 6 vessels.
Those for “Northesk” & “Comely” I have made out on the proper form but had no more forms left for the other four vessels or would have done them all.
Very few men were able to obtain boots last month, so hope they can be now had as their boots are very old & many are complaining of colds through wet feet.
If any convenience to you I will arrange to come to Mudros to collect both food & clothing at the end of the month or beginning of Feb. as I did in Dec.
A signal sent to Capt. (K) asking for Drifter to be sent to collect food & clothing for 9th Div of Drifters will no doubt be sent on to me.
R.H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Div.
F. Hammond letter 21 January 1919
21.1.19
Ohligs Rhineld
Dear F & M
Just a line to let you know I am gogging along nicely. I was very pleased to hear you fared so well at Xmas. Glad to say I received the parcel safely it was Tres Bien. I am just in the middle of Binble. Went to hear our Divl Concert party last night they were very good. The only draw back here is this blooming Jerry language. It gets me down and makes my headache. However I can say good morning & evening now so if I stay here a few more years I shall be able to take over a Jerry’s job off him. There are two picture palaces here but they are nothing great. Sunday is great day here. All the café’s are filled with people and the orchestras are playing in most of them. The only thing is the beer is all substitute but palatable & the Rhine wine is rather expensive. Still it is very fine and lively on Sundays. There is also dancing in places. I have not been in Cologne yet but can get a pass anytime. They have a fine Opera House & hold all kinds of Operatic Concerts. There is also a fine train ride down the Rhine to Bonn the University Town but I’ve got to do it yet. We has a few phizogs taken a few days ago. So I will enclose one. Hoping you will be able to pick me out. Well Cheerhio. Hoping you are all keeping well & Jack is feeling himself again. Fred
Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 21 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Cape Helles.
Jan 21/19
S.N.O. (H)
H.M.S. “Pelorus”
Submitted,
It is suggested that under the new escorting arrangements whereby more escorting vessels are available; it may now be possible for each vessel in turn to proceed to Chanak for a spell of 48 hours; the first day to be devoted to completing with coal & water & the remainder of the time to attending to small engine defects and also to enable the crews to go ashore for liberty.
Defects in the Drifters under my command are rapidly becoming more numerous owing to the fact that they have been without an opportunity to do these defects since Sept 4th & have been working continuously since Oct 25th with the exception of “Ten” & “Victoria II” who have been to Mudros for boiler cleaning & defects.
It is further suggested that arrangements may be made for the following vessels to Boiler clean at the earliest possible moment observing that the rule is that all Drifters should boiler clean every 6 weeks.
The dates given here indicate when last blown down & the weeks overdue.
91 “Northesk II” last boiler cleaning Oct 25 overdue 7 weeks.
93 “Prime” “ “ Sept 24 “ 11 “
95 “Hopeful” “ “ Oct 25 “ 7 “
97 “Ebenezer” “ “ Oct 25 “ 7 “
The last named vessel (under the N.T.O.) is most serious of all as she has no fresh water boiler tank & has run completely on salt water since Oct 25.
R.H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Div.
Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 21 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Cape Helles.
Jan 21/19
S.N.O. (H)
H.M.S. “Pelorus”
Submitted,
Enclosed I send detailed list of escorting vessels and the quantities of Fresh Meat desired twice weekly.
If these quantities could be sent down by a Drifter leaving Chanak – each quantity labelled – I would see they were at once delivered to each vessel.
At present Trawler “Farraday” is at Mudros but all other vessels are escorting.
Fresh vegetables – such as potatoes would be welcome when available.
One basket (140 lbs) would last a Drifter a fortnight & a Trawler approximately 9 days.
R.H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Drifters.
Report of Drifters off Cape Helles 21 January 1919
S.O. 9th Div of Drifters
D “Northesk” II
Cape Helles.
Jan 21/19
Mail Officer
H.M.S. “Europa”
It is requested that mails for the following vessels in my Division may be sent to Chanak (c/o S.N.O. (H) H.M.S. “Pelorus” Chanak) until further orders.
No mails have been received for one month.
H.M.D. “Northesk II” No. 2022.
“ “Northern Scot” No. 2425.
“ “Prime” No. 2289.
“ “Ten” No. 1052.
“ “Hopeful” No. 2386.
“ “Comely” No. 2387.
“ “Ebenezer” No.2294.
“ “Victoria II” No. 766.
There are two or three parcels & registered letters adrift since Nov. last addressed to Lieut. R.H. Palmer R.N.V.R. Have you any trace of them.
R.H. Palmer.
Lieut. R.N.V.R.
S.O. of Div.
The Bay Museum & Research Facility 