Oct. 31, 1912

The good weather we had from

London to Colombo has left us.

It has been dull and gray for

the last week. Was raining this

morning a heavy mist and by

afternoon it was a steady down-

pour with high wind. Everybody is

inside with doors and port holes 

shut. Mrs. Wall amused the child-

ren in the music room by playing

 for them while they sang. I took C.

down and gave her a bath before I

dressed for dinner. Enjoyed my

dinner even if we did roll around

a bit. It was foggy after dark and 

the fog horn was blowing all evening.

Oct. 30, 1912

Sea still rough and every body

feeling mean. Jean Reid and

Catherine are getting rather tired.

Catherine got her book of fairy

tales out of her trunk today and I

read to them for a long time.

Baby is well and so good. Annie

rather unsettled by the rough 

weather. My head aches most of the

time and I do very little reading but

still have a good appetite.

Oct 29, 1912

Rotten weather ever since we left

Colombo. The boat rolls and pitches

all the time. Its still quite warm 

and muggy. Took a last long look

at the "Dipper" and "North Star" and

from this on we will centered with

the " Southern Cross ". Crossed the 
line sometime the night of 28th and 
hope to have it cooler soon.

A Ship's Log?

     I was hoping to find a ship's log for the SS Mongolia online.  Something about Georgie's timeline just doesn't seem quite right.  Leaves Aden on Oct. 21, passes Socotra on the 24th (her second entry for the 24th), and gets to Colombo by Oct. 26th?? I did find a passenger's list at www.findmypast.co.uk. It is 19 pages long - and cost about $6 per page to see a transcript. So I started at page 8, hoping entries would be alphabetical, and I would be looking for F and M.  My lucky day!  Miss McGillivray and Mrs. Fraser, infant and child were listed on page 8, all contracted to land at Hobart.  Interestingly, there was no note by Georgie's name, but by the Frasers, it said "see Alien Sheet."  Since this was a British Passenger list, Georgie must have still been a British subject in 1912, but Annie must have already become an American citizen.

Also helpful were names of other passengers on the list who have been mentioned in Georgie's entries.  The list is similar to a census form, listing landing port, occupation, marital status, age, country of last permanent residence, and future permanent residence.

Minimum "pay as you go" on the findmypast website was $12.00.  I'm satisfied I got my money's worth.  I still have $6 credit to do some checking on JWF's voyage when I have time!

Oct. 28, 1912

Left Colombo at noon. Quite

a crowd of passengers left the

Mongolia at Colombo trans -

shipping for China. Mr. and Mrs.

Howell and Mrs. Donner we

miss very much. So much

cargo was put off at Colombo that

we will mind rough weather very

much. The boat seems very empty

now but we have all our table companions

still.

Oct. 27, 1912

Sunday morning and very quiet. Colombo

looks so pretty from the water. It is

raining so no one thought of going on

shore. The natives came to the boat

with ornaments to sell. They are

such odd looking mortals. The

men have long black hair which

they were in a coil and have a 

funny looking comb stuck in it.

They wear very narrow skirts and

loose white coats. The harbour

is dotted with odd looking little

boats.

Oct. 26, 1912

Reached Colombo about six P. M.

Had not intended going on shore but

Miss Leishman, our stewardess insisted

on taking care of the children for us

so we decided to go. It was very beaut-

iful as we were going into Colombo.

The sun was just setting and the 

lights certainly were gorgeous. We

would not have enjoyed them so mcuh

had we known it meant bad weather.

Quite a crowd of us went on shore together.

Went in a launch and had dinner

at the G. O. Hotel. The dinner was

all right but we were not used to

the cooking and were afraid to

eat the highly seasoned stuff. After

dinner Mr. Cornel who was paying

for the evening suggested a rickshaw

ride, and it was too funny for any

thing to see the whole crowd of us start

off for our ride. First we went to the

Post Office as Annie and Mrs. Parker

were sending cables. Then we had another

ride and ended up in the shopping

 districts.It was lots of fun to shop.

Got beautiful hand made linen lace.

Annie got two little books  Jim wanted 

some little baskets for souvenirs and

had such a good time. Walked back

to the wharf and went in a rowboat

to the boat. They were coaling when 

we got back. Every door and port hole

was closed and it was so stifling

hot. We all went to the dining

room and had Ginger Ale and

sandwiches. It was so close that 

we did not sleep much. I fanned 

the kiddies nearly all night.

October 24, 1912, second time around.....

Have been on deck most of the day.

Read, talked, played with baby and

had a nap. Passed Socotra and

quite a number of smaller islands

about noon. Someone said it was 

the last land we would see until

we  reached Columbo. Had a telegram

 from Jim at Aden telling us he had

a furnished house ready for us. Are

still having a pleasant time. Enjoyed

the crowd in the dining room tonight.

Wore my white dress.

no, I am not confused....

but Georgie may have been.....

Another entry dated October 24.  Again, 

it suggests that she may have been 

copying original entries 

into her Christmas present, after the fact....

Oct. 25, 1912

Harriet is seven months old today.

She has been so very sweet and

good all day. Annie was not well

so I bathed her and took her up on

deck. Mrs. Gardiner kept her until

it was time for her to go to bed.

It has been very warm today. More

so than any day yet. Passed a

Coral Island this afternoon. It

looked a beautiful spot in the ocean

all covered with lovely green trees.

Two large boat passed in the

 afternoon. Its very pleasant when

boats pass. The ocean seems so

lonely when  you see no land or boats.

Oct 24, 1912

A windstorm came up in the

night and this morning there is

a heavy swell on. A number of

the passengers are half sick. We

are doing well. In the afternoon I

took baby while Annie had a nap.

About three Mrs. Maclean insisted

on keeping her while I slept.

Slept till half past three. Got baby 

and had another nap till four.

Had afternoon tea and sat on deck.

The wind had gone down and it

was very pleasant. Two large boats passed us.

Oct. 23, 1912

Have done a lot of reading lately.

Finished the two books Mrs. Peak

sent us. Mr. Faris loaned me some

magazines. Read "The Kentucky

 Cardinal"and enjoyed it very much.
 Must take the baby so

Annie can have a nap. Wore

my blue linen to dinner afterwards.

Walk nine times around the deck

(a mile) with Annie. Tried some puzzles

with Mr. Faris.

Oct. 22, 1912

About one hundred of our passengers

left us at Aden and we miss them.

There was a dear little french woman

with a baby. Her husband met her at

 the boat and she was so glad to

get home. The air is quite cool

today. Are in the Indian Ocean

now. Mailed a dozen cards at

Aden.

Oct. 21, 1912

Sat on deck most of the day. We
always go to our cabins for a nap
in the afternoon. Its a change and
we enjoy our neighbors more when
we come back. Got up in time
for afternoon tea. After dinner
we sat on deck talking to Mrs.
Donner and Mrs. Howell. There
was a concert in the music
room and some of the singing
was very good. Afterwards the
prizes were given out to those
who were successful in deck
sports. Mr. Parker and Miss
Faris won a prize. Mr. F Miss F a nd
I had a pillow fight. It was lots of fun.

Oct. 20, 1912

Sunday morning and Annie
has gone to church. I am looking
 after baby and Catherine. It's not so
warm today and lovely and fine.
Have been reading on deck most

 

of the day. Got into Aden about

six o'clock. From a distance Aden 

looked like a bleak bare rock but

as we were coming into the wharf

the sun was setting and I never did

see such glorious tints. Everything

looked beautiful. The natives swarmed

on board ship to take off the mail. Dirty

looking mortals they were. Had dinner

at seven and afterwards Mr. Cornel

Mrs. Parker, Mr. Caris and I went on

shore. It was very warm so we did 

not wear hats. I had on my blue

linen dress. Mrs.Parker had Mr. 

Cornel take her on shore to get some

plumes. Got beautiful white plumes 

very cheap. It was such fun

listening to Mr. Cornel beating the

natives down in price. I did not buy

any as it was Sunday night and

my training forbode. Went from and

 to the boat in a rowboat and I
did enjoy it very much. They were
coaling when we got back as we sat
on deck until quite late.

Oct. 19, 1912

It's so hot that keeping cool is

out of the question. Annie has taken

Catherine up on deck as she is taking

part in some of the childrens sports.

I kept the baby. We have had the

smartest waiters in the dining room

ever since we left London. Some of the 

officers going to India reported them

 for inattention at late breakfast this

morning. They are to be fined five 

shillings and sent back to England

from Aden. Saw Captain Gaunt

about waiters. Saved them from being

sent to England but they will be changed

at Aden.

Oct. 18, 1912

Sitting on deck most of the day. Its

very hot. Too lazy even to read.

Know some very pleasant people

now. Mr. and Mrs. Howell, Mrs.

Donner Mrs. Maclean and Mrs.

Gardiner sit right near us on deck

and we do have such nice times.

Passed Mount Sinai today. The Red Sea is very interest-

ing.

Oct. 17, 1912

Intended getting up early but it

was eight oclock when I got on

deck. The water was very shallow and

we went very slowly all the way.

Were still in the Canal when we

got on deck. Could see Egyptian

Suez in the distance and land all 

around. Were in the Gulf of Suez

nearly all day. It was very warm

but we sat on deck and managed

to keep cool. Had our trunks taken

up at noon and got some cool

dresses. Wore my white muslin to

dinner and afterwards went up on the 

upper deck with Mrs. Donner and

watched a fancy dress ball. All were

having a very good time. Mrs. Howell

joined us later on and we had

lemon squash and sandwiches

with a young man. Mrs. Donner knew.

We are injoying our table companions

more and more and have such good

times in the dining room. Mr. Faris

has moved his chair down to the lower deck.

 Mrs. Donner has been at the

Captains table but does not like the

crowd and wishes we had a vacant

chair at our table.

Oct. 16, 1912

Still at Port Said. Got up on deck

early as the boat is very close. All

port holes are kept closed while in

port. Rather enjoyed watching the

 natives. They swam out to the boat to

beg for coins. The passengers threw

coins and they would dive and find

them. Annie and the MacLeans

went on shore. Annie got a long

gray ostrich boa, a kimona for me

some post cards and a few little

things. Left Port Side about noon.

Enjoyed the afternoon very much.

The Suez Canal was very interesting

and a change from the wide ocean.

It is only wide enough for boats to

pass so we were right near land

all the time. On one side as far

as we could see was nothing but

sandy desert relieved once in a 

while by a few arabs with their camels.

On the other side some trees had

been planted once in a while we

saw some houses and once we saw

a train pass on its way to Cairo.

Sat on deck all afternoon. After

dinner we went up on the upper deck.

It was moonlight and very pretty.

Sorry it got dark so early. We 

were tied up at nine P. M. while 

a boat passed us and again in

the morning.

Oct. 15, 1912

Have been feeling rather wretched
since leaving Marseilles but am
quite myself again. Reached
Port Said at five P. M. Went on
shore with Mrs. Reid. Took C.(Catherine)
and Jean Reid with us. Mongolia
anchored a few yards from wharf
so we went in in little rowboats
Port Said is a dirty place but
rather interesting. The shops are

very small. The owners stand

at the door or in the street trying

to coax people to buy. We got some

post cards and candy and I

bought a hand embroidered bag

as a souvenier. No twilight at

Port Said so we only had a very short

time on  shore. After dinner we

went up on the upper deck and watched

them (the natives) coal. They work very swiftly
yelled or sang all the time. The only
light was coal burning in braziers.
All the coal was carried in baskets on
their heads.

 

Oct. 14, 1912

Since leaving Marseilles, the boat has

been quite crowded. Two hundred 

new passengers came on board and

a lot of them are bounders. Fortunately

they keep on the upper deck. We have

our chairs on the lower deck where it

is much more pleasant and quiet.
All the games are played on the
upper deck. The dining room is a
very pretty sight at dinner time.
Everybody is in evening dress and
looks so well. Mr. and Mrs. Parker
joined up at Marseilles so now the
table is filled up. All are going through
to Australia so we will not have
any breaks until we reach Fremantle.

Oct. 10, 1912

Reached Marsielles at noon. It was

quite warm and not at all
pleasant at the wharf. I took care
of the children while Annie went
on shoare. Stayed on the top deck as
they were coaling and everything was
shut up down below. Annie went on
shore with Mr. and Mrs. Maclean
They found it rather difficult to
make much headway as none of them
knew any French. All the poeple at
one table got back in time for dinner
Had a good time at dinner and in
the evening. Stayed at Marsielles eight-
teen hours.

October 9, 1912

Celebrated my birthday in a very

quiet way. Talked a little, read

a little, had a nap. Went for a 

walk and so passed the day.

October 8, 1912

Gibraltar

Reached Gibraltar this morning.

Its a wonderful place, but rather

bleak for a home I should think.

Just a huge bare rock with houses

built near the water. The water was 

too shallow for the Mongolia to get to the

wharf so a tug took the passengers

on shore. We did not land but en-

joyed the scenery from the boat. Stayed

there four hours.

October 7, 1912

We pass the time by reading, sitting

up on deck, walking, going to meals

and fooling with the children.

October 6, 1912

Beautifully fine. Sat on deck

most of the day. All feeling well

and enjoyed our meals. Quite

a number of children on board.

October 5, 1912

Nothing important happened. Just

getting used to things and a little

bit acquaineted with some of te

people.

...after the fact.....

I always wondered about the embossed date of Christmas 1912 on the front of Georgie's journal.  Her entry of October 4, 1912 makes it apparent that she was catching up - she slips into past tense:"with the exception of a few days we were very comfortable and enjoyed our journey very much."  Definitely implies an after the fact assessment. She must have been keeping a journal but transferred into this leather one once she got it.

Oct. 4, 1912

Got up early as we had to
leave the house about nine A.M.
There was such a bustle getting

off. Took a taxi to Liverpool station
and the train from there to Tilbury
Docks. The train was so crowded
that we almost lost our tempers
before we got settled. Enjoyed the
train ride out through the country.
Got on board the boat safely. The
water was too shallow for the "Mongolia"
to come to the Dock so we went out
in a tug. It was such a relief when
we got settled. The day was beautiful
and bright and the water smooth.
The boat left about one and we
 went down for dinner. Had a
lot of trouble over our luggage as
our bedroom steward was about
half drunk. Did not get our suit-
cases until dark. Had a large out-
side main deck cabin and with
the exception of a few days we were very
comfortable and enjoyed our journey

very much. For lunch no seats
were given out. Just sat any place
that was vacant but at three o"clock we go permanent seats from the
head waiter. We were at table No. 7 and had such a nice crowd.
Mr. Cornel, Miss Faris, Mr. Faris
Annie and I on one side Mrs.
Reid, Mr. Parker, Miss Parker and Mr.
A Smith on the other. The boat was
not so very crowded when we left London.

Oct. 3, 1912

All ready for a nother move. 

Everything packed up. Ethel, Ben

Frank Hirst and I went on another

long sightseeing afternoon. Went to

see St. Pauls Cathedral. Its very

wonderful. Saw "The Light of the

 World "by Holman Hunt there. We

walked up Cheapside. Along the Strand

and saw so many lovely shops and

well dressed people. Were out all

afternoon and got home very tired.

October 2, 1912

Annie went to the Theatre to see

Sarah Bernhardt. Enjoyed the after-

noon very much. Mrs. Harrison went

with her. In the afternoon Catherine

and I went to the British Museum.

October 1, 1912

Spent the day getting letters written

to the folks at home before we started

on our next voyage. Annie went

shopping in the morning and to

have her hair shampooed right

after lunch. Catherine and I went

for a walk later. Got white shoes for the boat.

(Note: she wrote in ink so could not correct her title which she started Sept.....)

September 30, 1912

Was busy getting our trunks

packed as we had to send them to 

Tilbury Docks Oct 1st. Went to

the P and O office to make arrange-

ments to have them sent. Just as

we were packing a boy brought a

note from Mr. Peck asking us to go to

dinner with him that night and

afterwards to the Theater to see "Bunty

Pulls the Strings" played. We dug 

out some decent dresses and got

our trunks away. Miss Sugg took

care of the baby for us in the evening.

She was such a good little thing.

Went to sleep as soon as she was

 fed and did not waken until we

 got home. Had such a good time.

Enjoyed the dinner very much and

the play more. Mr. Peck is very charm-

ing. After the play he took us around

the Theater Street in a taxi to let us

get a glimpse of London by night.