579
"Smooth passage. Intense heat made care of animals "a matter of considerable anxiety. Animals so closely "packed that exercise not possible. Officers and men "worked strenuously and materially minimised mortality."
"Co-operation" of Ship's staff left nothing to be
"desired.'
11
We would suggest therefore that the intense heat, which the 0.0. makes a note of, or sea-sickness, may have been the cause of the food not being to the liking of this particular man.
It is our utmost endeavour to make the men on board
these Transports as comfortable as possible, but we think you will agree with us that under the particular circumstances where
over 1,000 men and 600 Horses are carried it would be an
extraordinary thing if there was no one out of this number who
did not find everything to his liking.
On the same voyage, from Alexandria to Port Said, we
have a further report from the Commanding Officer, which reads:-
"I have been highly pleased with the courtesy and "attention of Captain John McMath and his officers. "The Officers and men under my command have been well "fed, and everything possible done for their comfort".
(Sgd.) Lt-Col. J.H. Galbraith.
and a still further report from the Commanding Officer, from Mudros to London, as follows:-
"Everything has been carried out in a very highly *satisfactory manner as regards my own comfort, as "well as that for the men. In my opinion, the ship "has been run in a very efficient manner.
(Sgd.) C.J.S.McKenzie.
Dealing with the charge that the men were "bleed", this
is however quite another matter, and whilst we very much doubt
whether such a thing happened, we will, on the return of the
"MANITOU" to London, make an exhausted enquiry into this complaint.
We are, Sir,
*
+ve
Your obedient Servants,
Atlantic Transport Company, Limited,
(Signed) James. F. Horncastle.
Secretary.
A.
: