Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-30
ARMORED TRAINS
CRUISE IN BELGIUM
BROUGHT HOT WORK
British Bluejacket's Diary
Narrates Adventurous
Career of Naval Detach-
ment After Fall of Ant
werp.

LONDON. Nov so.--A diary showing the
poresrinations Of party Of bluejaekets
since the fall Of Antwerp recently fell Into
the hands of a Daily Chronicle corre-
spondent.
"It is written a bit rough like, SIR
said the tar apologetically, but It Is the
truthful log Of an armored train-a train
that has scared the German. They calls
us the moving base, and we don't half
laugh at them shelling the spot where
we was FIVE minutes ago and where we
ought to be always, as they think. We
calls ourselves the 'ragtimo navy boys
We are touring artists, and we have put
It across those Hewlans and Bavarians
something shocking, can tell you.'
The diary gives the movements OF one
OF the armored trains. Some Of the ex-
tracts are as follows:
October 1.--Loft II. N. Barracks, Chat
ham-H gunlayers, AZ trained men, IL
seaman gunners Left South Dock for
H. NJ. $. Engadine; found her coalng;
got aboard safe en- route for Ostend. Dur
ing the time steaming with lights out we
had the misfortune to run on mud; but
two deBtroyers skullcng about towed us
off. But was delayed three hours. But
at last arrived at about u noon Friday.
OctOoer 2-The Engadine's ship company
gave US n good send-of, and we gave
cheer for cheer. We found train walt
ing for us which conveyed us to Antwerp.
We passed through Ghent, Brusts
(Brugse), ST. Nicholas and Berekem, and
arrived Antwerp 7.So p m. Belgian OFF,
GERS met us and we crossed the river In
tug. we passed through the city to our
quarters, which was n girls high school
that was converted into barracks. Re-
eeived orders to be ready by n. m, and
went to the station to armored tain
which had on ~ guna and one aerial
gun, We was told off for guns crew. We
made ourselves acquainted with our SUR
roundings, and was then ready for any
emergency. SO being tired We turned In
sail loft attached to station.
October 5 (Saturdayl-EIad breakfast
and had run UP to see the position, and
finished for the day.
October (sunday)-Left Antwerp in
Rrmored train at n. m. for Waerlos,
whore we was Smelling all day. We
brought down war balloon at 5000 yards.
We then returned to Antwerp,
after being In action nine hours
October 8 (Monday)--Sheliing at verdron
all day. French joined us with cent?
metre guns. Belgian captain asked for
NOAuIlGtlb " lnTee TeluN eeS. j I
was carried out by some of us safe, but
little girl shot through thigh.
october II tSuudayJ.--Olllcer christened
our guns Drake. Nelson. Jelllcoe. Left
Thourout for Ters arriving 1880. Left
for battle OF NIe.le the in the
trenches. We fred so rounds OF s.
and 10 rounds of lyddlte. covering the
retreat, We retired to Hans
beke for the night. Lieutenant was high
~ pleased with the nights work.
October - CMonday). y).-Cleanng out guns
and getting ready for shelllng. One A.
advanced under our fire and fired two
rounds 1. Stayed at Hansbeke till 1880
p. M and then returned to Athe. Bel
gians blew mp Gent bridge
Octoher IL Wednesday,. Met other
part 6f armored train. which brought us
ammunition from Drnkirk. Our 6-lnch
guns are at Dunkrk. under Lieutenant
-. Left DiXmude $50 n. M, arr
Lightervelde S n. m. Left Lighter
'velde, arr zonnebeke IL noon:
p. m. fired on German aeroplane,
brought 1t down, killing two officers.
October 16 CThursday). y).-Went to Hon
thorn. on - noon. Dead horses on line
and road and lot of dead Germans. Cap
tured one Uhlan and two infnntrymen.
Went into action; shelled Ger
mans one mile north at Commines.
October IS.-Shelled Germans out OF