LETTERS TO HIS PARENTS
Osborne
Sunday 11th February
Dear Mama and Papa, Yesterday we had a fine time. We were given a whole holiday, and we went over to Portsmouth in two gunboats to see the Dreadnought launched, she went in without a hitch. She is an enormous ship. Coming back it was very rough and a lot of chaps were seasick though I was not. To-day the King came and inspected us, when he saw me he said 'that's a very small cadet' so the Capt said 'Yes, he is called King-Hall son of Rear Admiral King-Hall.' Last night we had a comic performance here by Mr. Hill. It is very cold here. I am 22nd in my term, for this fortnight the results of every 2 weeks work is always published. There are 65 in my term. Last time I was 27th, therefore I have gained 5 places.
I am your loving son,
S.KING-HALL
Royal Naval College Osborne, I. of W.
Dear Mama and Papa,
Yesterday a chap got a flogging for swearing, they tie you down to a horse (gym) a thing like this Xs, they then flog you in front of yr term, some cadets faint for it draws blood sometimes so the Dr. is always there. A few days before that a cadet was expelled for using bad language. This is a plan of the grounds. . . Nelson our general Room is 100 ft broad, 80 high, 300 long. Mess-room - 120 yds long. More details this week.
Love to all.
I am yr Loving son,
S.W. King-Hall
Naval College Osborne. I. of W.
Dear Mama and Papa
I have just bought an enormous kite. It is great fun. It appears I am short of the following articles. 1 Nail brush, 2 collars. I shall also have to get a new mackintosh, because when I came back it had disappeared.
Your loving son,
Stephen. Kisses.
Osborne
Dear Papa
I got your letter yesterday. I don't think I need much, one tie, a pair of shoes that is about all, and mufti cap. Please send long trouser suits, Gieve had better come and see me. If you write to him he will send a man from Portsmouth to see what I want, he will also be able to supply an overcoat I think. Stewart tells me that he always wears uniform in London, most of the cadets in London do he says. Still if I have got a decent long trouser suit I would rather wear it. I shan't wear a knickerbocker suit so its not much good sending one. Love to Mama. I hope all are well.
Yr loving son,
P.S. I saw Adm'l. Baird the other day. He said the greatest complaint they ever had about you at the Admiralty when you were in the Brit: was that you always read your Bible and never touched anything stronger than water.
Royal Naval College Osborne.
Dear Mama and Papa, I hope Mama is quite well by now. There is a rumour that the Kaiser is not going to inspect us after all. I rather want to see what he looks like. I expect he is about as like the pictures one sees of him as a donkey is like a cow. I am afraid I am rather prejudiced against 'Les Allemands.' Last Sunday H.M. the King sent the College a present of pheasants. They were very good. In a fortnights time we have the regatta. I have the great honour to be coxing my term v. the other terms, also my dormitory crew, also my tutor set crew. Will you send me some stamps of which I am en grande necessite. Aujourd'hui nous commencons la routine de 1'Hiver et nous nous levons un peu plus tard.
Your loving son,
S. King Hall
ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE DARTMOUTH
Monday, 18th January 1909
I am really going to try and keep a diary from now onwards. At any rate I shall stick to it as long as possible. Down at Engineering this morning I did my test weld. At the second attempt we welded. To-morrow we are going to try and do my partner's. Brown in French is very tame after H.B.D.'s flare-ups. Tuesday, 19th January. We had great fun with Milne in Maths this morning. Morten got twelve cuts with the cane. In the afternoon I subbed for Hodgson in a Rugby match against Hawkes. We were beaten 15-3, but it was suite a good game all the same.
Thursday, 21st January.
My birthday. Last night it was so cold in bed that I woke up several times, at last I pulled my rug up and made things a bit better. The temperature in the dormitory was 44' F. I won't attempt to describe the temperature of the plunge water. Whilst doing Lab, I got a telegram from papa and mama wishing me many happy returns of the day. In the afternoon I played in a game of Hockey against the Grenvilles and Hawkes combined. We beat them very easily 12-3. I suppose I shall get a letter to-morrow. I cannot see the point of turning us out of the dormitory at 7 o'clock when work does not start till 7.20. I suppose it is a sort of game in which cadets are the pawns.
Friday, 22nd January From to-day. I start my 'Canteen retrenchments scheme' I allow myself 1/6d a week and no more. The remainder goes into the Savings Bank. I hope I shall be able to stick it. Saturday, 23rd January. I played in a hopeless game of Rugger. There were about two or three fairly good chaps and the rest were hopeless. I have got a good big forging job on down at Sandquay, it tires one out swinging a heavy hammer in that heat. Especially as neither my partner or myself are exactly Herculii. In the evening I went to the Reference Library to look up a few facts about Dartmouth, as I am going to write a short account of the town in the magazine. Unfortunately two volumes I especially wanted were not there. But I shall go there on Wednesday.
Monday, 25th January.
In the afternoon I did two things of note. Primo; I bought the fountain pen from Caldron with which I now write. Duo: I played in my first game of water polo and enjoyed it very much. It is however, a very tiring game indeed.
Tuesday 26th January.
As there was no cadet-captain the plunge bath was chock full, and a sort of running fight was kept up in the centre. After a bit a cadet-captain came and we all had to clear out of the plunge. In the evening it was my turn for a double-bath with Davidson or Wells. As I am small and take up little room they tossed for who I was to bath with.
Sunday, 31st January
In the morning H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg inspected us on the Quarter-deck. I went out for a walk with Watson and he told me all about his visit to France. He thinks he has learnt a good deal, but did not have much fun. I was 7th in the fortnightly order, quite good. I was so glad to get the news that we were to take a house for a good long time. On looking up in the 'Reference Library' old naval laws, I came across the following direction as to pilots :'a.d. 1300. If the pilot lose the vessel, he shall pay for it out of his means, but if he cannot then his head is forfeit.
Saturday, 6th February
Nothing of importance in the morning. In the afternoon played in a Hockey match and had great fun. Later I played Racquets against Routh, but he beat me 2-1.
Sunday, 7th February.
Mr. Hammond gave me a drill in Divinity for laughing, it was grossly unfair, as I only laughed at an Israelitish King's name, i.e. Rab-Shakeh.
Thursday, 11th February Our cadets' XV played the midshipmen of the Channel Fleet. After a first class game we beat them 23-7. On my arrival back to the College, I got a telegram from home, telling me to telegraph to Miss Ward apologizing for not having written to her about my Game-book. Vincent said I turned pale on reading it. Did as directed and wrote at once to her and to papa. I am almost certain I started a letter.
Monday, 15th February
Played in a Rugger match against the Grenvilles. We beat them quite easily 23-0. I was captain of the team so it was rather fun. Arkwright was quite pleased at my being so high in the fortnightly order.
Wednesday, 24th February
Cleaned up the ash-tray during work hours down at Engineering, near as possible got caught in the act by the Eng. Commander. Reflections: A miss is as good as a mile.
Played in a pick-up game of Hockey at 3.30. Not a bad game. Slacked about in the Dormitory whilst shifting. Maths. Prep.
Tuesday, 16th March
Heats for 100 yards over and under were run off. My heat was a very good one, and I am glad to say I was not last, in fact, although I did not get a place, I was 3 from last. I can't sprint for nuts. Later I went down to Voluntary Sandquay and worked hard on papa's collar-box, I managed to complete the second row of segments.
Wednesday, 17th March.
Trained hard in the afternoon, ran a mile, ½,¼ and 100 yards. Afterwards just for fun I went to the long-jump and managed to jump 10 ft. If anyone ever reads this, kindly remember I am 4 ft. 8. I then went to the Gym and watched the boxing. Stewart fairly licked Bethell, and the heavy-weight fight between Dickinson and Tupper was an execution, the latter fought very pluckily, but was knocked out in the second round. Vincent beat Bower. In the evening we had a lecture by Ashford on Waves, it was not bad for a bit, but it soon got fearfully boring, as he waxed scientific, and complicated theoretical diagrams appeared on the screen, the waves were so high everyone was out of their depth. St. Patrick's Day, I wore shamrock.
DEVONPORT TO BEREHAVEN
Saturday, 7th May
Heard King Edward VII had died.
Weighed at 10.30, passed Eddystone at 12.45.
Spent morning practising hammock slinging and stowing books. As we got down the channel the sea increased, and off the Lizard the ship pitched a good deal. In the afternoon we skylarked on the Q.D., games, boxing. As we got into the Atlantic we pitched with sickening regularity. Passed a fair night although disturbed by ash-hoist engine.
ARRIVE BEREHAVEN
Sunday, 8th May Fine day but strong wind with choppy swell. Divine Service, I held out. We sighted the Lusitania near the Irish coast. We reached Berehaven at 4.30. Passed first comfortable night.
Monday, 9th May
Turned out 6.0. Traced pipes in Engine-room. Breakfast at 8. 9-10.20 Practical and Applied Mechanics. 10.20-12 Engineering lecture.
King George V proclaimed King.
In afternoon worked for two hours in the compressor flat, fitting the air-pump, its proximity to the double bottoms was unpleasant. Went ashore and played 18 holes of golf. They are funny little links with quaint greens, but much better than nothing. Instruction in evening at Mechanics.
Tuesday 10th May
Worked in Engineering Division, took notes for an hour and had a ship-building lecture. Worked at refitting the blowdown valve of the evaporator for two hours in a very cramped position. Played golf when on shore.
Wednesday 11th May
A gracious message from King George V to the Navy was read at Divisions to the assembled ships company. The Navy under him will evidently not be neglected. As I was in Seamanship group which made me Hammock Stower, I had to hand out hammocks in the evening and stow them in the morning. Work for the day consisted of Observation with No. 1; Signalling; Morse and Fleet Tactics. When Seamanship or Study group, one does Swedish Drill before breakfast, but if Engineering group, one goes straight down below. In the afternoon I played golf.
Thursday, 12th May
Hammock Stowers. Did boat-sailing in very squally weather. Practical Seamanship and Pilotage. We had chicken for lunch which was rather good. In the afternoon did gunnery. Witnessed a disgraceful exhibition of boat sailing by two of the ship's boats sent away to Castletown for provisions, the coxswains had not got the slightest idea of how to sail their boats; close-hauled with sheets eased off etc., etc. Great moan by 0.0.W., Commander and Skipper.
DEPART BEREHAVEN
Saturday, 21st May
Landed in the afternoon and played golf. At 7 p.m. we weighed and stood out to sea. It was a perfect evening, flat calm with a lovely moon and clear sky. We had dancing on the Quarter Deck, and as the Irish hills gradually disappeared in the sunset, it was too lovely.
Sunday, 22nd May
Divine Service on the Q.D. At 2 p.m. we sighted the Scillys, and a little later Land's End. Spent the afternoon watching the shipping going up and down the channel. Passed at least 20 steamers. The wind had been rising and at 9 p.m. off Start Point the weather was very ugly, and at 9.15 we ran into the most wonderful thunder storm I have ever seen. Sheets of lightning with great forks of light lit up the whole horizon every 15 seconds. As each blaze of lightning flashed out we could see a small sailing boat running for shelter to Dartmouth before the fast gathering storm. The whole coast for miles was lit up by the flashes. After about ' of an hour the rain fell with astonishing violence. It was so thick that the turret was invisible from the fore bridge. We were obliged to stop engines. Half an hour later we passed through the exact centre of another storm of similar violence.
ARRIVE SPITHEAD
Monday, 23rd May
Anchored at Spithead just astern of the Invincible. There were about 12 battleships in Spithead, and a few cruisers. At 9 a.m. the 3rd Division of the Home Fleet steamed away after a very neat manoeuvre for getting into single line ahead. Landed at Clarence Pier, bought a stylo and had tea. Weighed at 7 and left Spithead by N.E. entrance. Danced on Q,.D. at 8.30. 9.30 p.m. saw Halley's comet, a faint, blurred watery-looking star. Bore S.W. by S. Alt. 20' (approx.).
VISIT GUERNSEY
Wednesday, 25th May
Landed and umpired in a cricket match, 'The officers of the Middlesex Regiment versus officers of Cumberland.' Although it was the first important match I had ever umpired in, and though I was rather nervous at first, I soon got into it, and I think I did quite well, at least, they were quite satisfied with me. The soldiers won fairly easily.
SPITHEAD TO QUEENSTOWN
Thursday, 26th May
Weighed at 6 a.m. Did rifle drill in the morning, and a monthly semaphore examination. At 7.50 we went through the race of Alderney, a tide-rip of seven knots was flowing. The day began very dull, but when we picked up the Needles at 12.5 p.m. the sun came out and it turned out very fine. Saw anchoring on the foc'sle, it is a fine sight to see the cable leaping out of the navel pipe like a great snake. Several large yachts were sailing about. Landed and drove up to the College, it had changed a bit since our time. A more pampered, supercilious set of little boys I have never seen, the fact is they have never had their stern-sheets hacked, and they need it badly, but I think they will have their eyes opened a bit when they get to Dartmouth or at sea. They are looked after frightfully carefully nowadays. No work before breakfast, not allowed up the mast for fear they should get giddy, etc., and they seem to know it, what's more, they all have a 'very fragile ' this side up with care' expression on their faces. The steamboat that was coming to take us off ran aground, with the result that we were rather late. Dancing on Q.D. in the evening.
QUEENSTOWN TO AROSA BAY
Tuesday, 28th June
We left Queenstown at 7 a.m. and saw we were in for bad weather as soon as we got outside. I managed to survive the first hour's instruction, but after that I was violently sick. At 11.30 only about 20 cadets turned up for physical drill. The remaining 60 were lying on their sea-chest lids quite incapable. As our gunroom being right in the stern was untenable, I managed to get a little soup on my sea-chest. All the afternoon the same state of affairs continued. The ship was rolling considerably. 10 to 15', wind force 7, and a heavy swell on our Port beam. The atmosphere in the Chest Flat was frightful, as of course, all scuttles were closed. At 6 p.m. they got our hammocks down, and we somehow managed to crawl into them. It rained and blew pretty hard during the night, and they eased down as she was shipping a good deal of water.
Wednesday, 29th June
Same miserable existence, had a little more food and lay on deck instead of below. Ship rolling just as much, was sick once.
ARRIVE AROSA BAY
Thursday, 30th June
The wind has dropped and it is getting very hot. Ate a huge breakfast. Felt quite all right although swell still remains. Did study, took sights and worked out ship's position. Sighted Finisterre in forenoon, and passed a good many tramps and an Orient liner. Entered Arosa Bay at l p.m. and anchored off Villa Juan (1000 inhabitants). Stinks and smells baffle description; got on to high road and tramped into Villa Garcia. Villa Garcia is a small town and is supposed to be, or going to be, a fashionable Spanish water-place. It has got 4 or 5 shops.
Monday, 4th July
Landed and loafed about. There is nothing to do and it is very hot. Intense excitement on board over Johnson - Jeffreys [boxing] match.
DEPART AROSA BAY
Saturday, 23rd July
Landed and bought some pottery. Vigo seems a most immoral place, and we were all continually noticing it.
Put to sea bound for Devonport. Encountered a heavy swell, nearly everyone prostrate. Steamer signaled 'Heavy swell, strong N.W. wind in bay,' general gloom among cadets.
Sunday, 24th July
(In the Bay of Biscay). Felt practically all right to-day and was able to eat. Passed a couple of Union Castle liners, one, the mail boat, had Coke's sister on board. 5 p.m. Beastly swell on our beam, feel quite happy all the same and longing to see England and home. Should sight Ushant soon.
ARRIVE PLYMOUTH
Monday, 25th July
Arrived at Plymouth. Had fresh milk and butter. Landed and had a good tea, the first for a month.
Tuesday, 26th July
Inspected by Admiral Fawkes. Admiral's inspection is a terrible business. We were fallen in from 9.45-11.15. He expressed himself well pleased with the ship, she certainly was a marvel of paintwork. Our commander uses a lot of blue enamel paint, which is very effective.
AT GOLFE JUAN
Thursday, 13th October
Landed at Juan-les-Pins and went into Antibes, had some coffee and looked round the town.
Friday, 14th October
Spent the afternoon in Antibes.
Saturday, 15th October
We all went into Cannes and attended a cinematograph exhibition given in our honour. Tea was also provided. On the way back we had special tram-cars, and during the three-mile run back everyone of course smoked like chimneys, there being no officers, or climbed on the roof of the cars to the astonishment of the conductors. An important sing-song was also held, 'All the nice girls love a sailor' producing great effect on the astonished passers-by as we swept along at 20 miles an hour.
Sunday 16th October
Hired a bicycle and with another chap went along about 4 miles towards Nice. The road, which was tarred, was the main road between Paris and the Riviera, and about 20 or 30 motors passed us in an hour. On the way back we saw an aeroplane in a field, so we went over and had a look at it. It was the first I had ever seen, and it was very interesting examining it. The inventor of it was just preparing to fly when one of the tyres burst, and we had to go on, as we had no time to spare.
In the following weeks the ship visited Malta, Algiers and Gibraltar
ARRIVE VIGO
Wednesday, 16th November
The wind died down, but we got into a very heavy swell, and she rolled abominably. In the afternoon we passed Lisbon, and through a glass I could see the Necessitades Palace. Cintra and Mafra from where King Manoel left Portugal were quite plain.
Thursday, 17th November
Ran into a gale off Vigo, but got inside before we felt it properly. The wind was very strong, and it was too rough inside to land in the afternoon. Did Torpedo exam.
Friday. 18th November
Landed and wandered about.
Saturday 19th
Went to see a football match v. E.T.C.
Sunday 20th
Tried to walk into country but failed miserably. This is the most deadly dull spot I have ever been to.
DEPART VIGO
Tuesday, 29th November
All during the night the wind got stronger and stronger, and it was with resigned hearts that we watched the dreadful preparations for putting to sea. Our fears were not allayed by a wireless arriving from the Eastern Telegraph Company's ship John Pender, stating 'Strong N.W. gale off Finisterre, very high sea running.' At 9 a.m. we weighed. Before we got clear of the harbour we passed the Southern Star, a fine British steamship, which had been wrecked 6 months previously. She was rapidly breaking up, as wave after wave rolled up and crashed down on her deck. Once clear of the islands we got the full benefit of it; and although they tried to carry on instruction, in ' an hour 80% of the cadets and most of the officers were hors de combat, so a whole holiday was proclaimed. After lying for three hours on the floor I got up on deck, encased in mackintosh and sea boots. It was a splendid sight great rollers followed each other like an army of men.