28th November to the 3rd of December

"28th; Left Alex at quarter to 11 o'clock in the morning proceeding to Marseille, with a mine layer as escort."

"29th; Sighted the North coast of Africa, we got two destroyers as escort there as that coast is dangerous for boats getting mined by submarines. Passed an Italian convict settlement at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon."

The Minnewaska was proceeding on her journey, we had to put up at Suda-Bay which is situated in the inland of Crete, as there were submarines around the place. We were 300 yards from the entrance of the Bay when we got struck by a torpedo. We got struck on our Midships. The time of the incident was 20 past 5 in the evening. But there was no casualties, all got safely ashore by our mine-laying boat which came instantly when they saw the boat keeling over. The first boat to come to our assistance was a small mine-layer called Hawk, then others which were in the Bay. 

We were taken to the shore and put into barracks. All troops and passengers were off the boat by 7 o'clock in the evening. The Minnewaska was 500 yards from the shore on each side of her when she got struck. The Skipper steered his boat and grounded her low, before she began to keel over on her side. By the time I got off the water had begun to come in at the port holes and she began to settle on the bottom."

"30th; Fatigue Party went onto the Minnewaska and brought off the Officer's staff and a few of our kit, but the greater part got lost, as the hatches were full of water. I managed to rescue my greatcoat and shaving outfit when the boat was settling down on the bottom. The submarine was sighted but before we could fire on her she dived down again. Got more kit off at night."

"1st December; Down getting some of our kit and rifles etc. A Greek steamer was put under arrest, it was supposed to put out some floating mines. The Minnewaska turned right over on her broadside during the night, it slid one and a half feet in an hour."

"2nd; Waiting for a boat to take us off the Inland. Got fresh meat off the ship and had to do our best at cooking it ourselves."

"3rd; Church parade in the morning. Another Cruiser came into the Bay this morning, it was relieving H.M.S. Edgar which was going to proceed to the Bulgarian coast to bombard it."