St Edward's WWI Letter Transcriptions

02: C. L. Bird – H.M.S. Worcester, Greenhithe 1914

Dear Sir, It is, I am afraid, some time since you have heard from me. And since you last heard many things have happened. At the time the war broke out I was on board S.S. Chulmleigh in the Mediterranean, and we had the pleasure of an interview with the Goeben. Of course, you are not supposed to know this! She fired 4 shots at us, two passing overhead, and one bursting under the stern was had [which hit] the poop, and the fourth burst on the poop; carried away the hand sterring [steering] gear of the boby hatch, the rails and a samson post. A piece of mettle [metal] flying from the explosion caught one apprentice and so his head joined the happy party going overboard.