On Thursday tea time, Dec. 27. '17 I received the telegram from my father from Capt. Melvin advising my return at once. I did so in a hurry - much lamentation & an ache in my own heart. Found I was not on the list - more sorrow.

Friday saw me hustling Capt. Burns & Melvin & I was put on the list. Some excitement & writing of letters.

Went on board Sat. about 2.30 p.m. & was given birth in ward G. - bed 72. It is a hospital ship - the Araguaya - painted white & green & with string of colored lights on each side. Fitted up fairly well. Had supper & bed - a rather restless night considering we were still fastened to the quay.

At about 12 a.m. we pulled - or were pulled by a tug - out into the Mersey nearly opposite the New Brighton Tower, & anchored in mid-stream. There was a morning service in the officers quarters, but as no invitation was given that I heard of did not go - hate to be kicked out or even run the risk of it.

We seem to be all Kirkdale patients. The boat is rather narrow for the considerable length & I suspect it is a "roller". Rumors of all sorts about when we shall sail are current. It is nearly as bad for rumours as the 'front line'. The most prevalent is that the harbour is closed.

We had a very ordinary Song Service, the Chaplain leading, at night. Had it in the patients dining room - just like the third class service on a passenger boat.

Monday we are spending "status quo". A little excitement came when they shifted anchorage a few feet, but there was "nothing to it". But after spending a rather restless, impatient day about 8 p.m. we actually pulled anchor & set out. We were all ordered below, so I did not see much. During the morning I counted about fifteen vessels evidently awaiting to sail, & in the afternoon some steamed out to see - probably under escort.

New Year's Eve we started out then & I spent a restless night in my cot. They were until after twelve trying to fix two mine-sweeping rigs - looking like a huge fish, about ten feet long - at each side of the ship forward. I could hear the pounding all the time & the shouting of the men as they lowered them again & again into the sea. I dozed off several times, but it was a rather nervous time for myself & for most of the men around me, as we crept through the mine fields & dodged submarines.

Next morning - Tuesday, New Year's Day - I went on deck & could plainly see Ireland to the south, and Scotland (?) to the north. We were traveling in a Westerly direction but a little north, & as the morning wore on we got into a narrow channel with a lighthouse in the narrowest part.