"THE CITY OF YORK"
AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE
The City of York left Birkenhed on Saturday, October 23rd, and arrived safely at Calcutta on Wednesday, November 24th, after experiencing fair weather throughout the ultimately successful but nevertheless eventful voyage. Despite rumours of submarines, the voyage was without event until after leaving Marseilles, when on the evening of November 4th, a signal was received from a passing steamer that a submarine had been sighted ahead. Every precaution was immediately taken, the passengers parading on deck with lifebelts ready for any emergency. The night, however, passed without incident, but at early dawn the passengers were rudely awakened by the report of the ship's gun. This caused an immediate rush of the passengers on deck in various stages of déshabille, all however, with lifebelts on. The submarine, after the second shot, which was perilously close, submerged and was not seen again. The pleasing feature of this incident was the total absence of anything approaching panic.
Successful sports were held during the voyage, the following gentlemen being elected at a representative gathering to form a committee :-
President: Mr Millan King. Vice-President: Mr Lornie. Treasurer: Mr Haggart. Hon. Sec.: Mr Willett, Committee: Mr John Day, Mr Tannahill, Mr Lewis, Mr Stevenson and Mr Prentice. The usual games were organised, the prizewinners being:-
- Deck Quoits: Miss Walsh and Mr Lewis; Bucket Quoits: Mrs Tannahill and Mr Lornie; Bull Board: Miss Peters and Mr Lewis; Shuffle Board: Mr Markquick and the Rev. B. Willcox.
On the night of November 13th a very enjoyable impromptu concert and dance was held in the first-class saloon, at which Captain Wilson, the popular commander, delighted his audience with his "plate dancing extraordinary" as also his "coin creation act," entitled "The Miser's Dream." A further concert was held on the following Saturday in the second-class saloon, which was a great success. On November 23rd a gymkhana was held in the first class saloon, at which the undernoted were the prize-winners:- Egg and Spoon Race: (ladies only:) Mrs Haywood; Bucket and Potato Race: (ladies only:) Miss Vansittart; Cock Fighting: (men only:) Mr Douglas; Thread and Needle Race: Mr and Mrs Haywood; Cigarette Race: Miss Webb and Mr Macgregor; Driving Race: Mrs Harley and Mr Mann; Whistling Race: Mrs Graham and Mr Willett; Bazar Race: Mrs Curley and Mr Halstead.
The committee did not forget the children, and a huge bran pie was held in the first-class saloon, at which every child became the happy possessor of a new toy.
The martial spirit prevailing made itself manifest in the formation of a drill squad called "The City of York's Own," the majority of whom were ladies. The squad was ably commanded by Mr Willett. The drills were held daily, when possible, and the squad rapidly became most efficient, particularly in rifle drillwith broomsticks. The following ultimately attained the undernoted ranks:- Sergeant: Miss Sawdy; Corporal: Miss Webb; Lance-Corporal: Mrs Graham; Mr Gray.
The passengers have nothing but praise for the Captain and officers downwards, not only for bringing them safely through all perils, but also for the very able manner in which they seconded and helped in every possible way the efforts made by the Sports' Committee to enliven the voyage and to make it the success it has been.
