1917, 1918 AND 1920 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT WORLD WAR I DIARIES HANDWRITTEN BY A MARCONI RADIO OPERATOR WHO WITNESSES FIRST HAND THE DANGERS OF CONVOY WORK AND THE RESOLUTE DETERMINATION OF THE BRITISH NAVY

Katz Fine Manuscripts Verified independent store

→

On offer is a sensational archive of three [3] original World War I 1917, 1918 and still serving his country 1920 manuscript diaries handwritten by Marine Marconi Operator E. Cyril Smith making for a fascinating, historic first hand account of the dangers of the British Navy in the 'Great War' and also insight of a young man's experience serving in the convoys. Smith has even been torpedoed and rescued after hours in the water. He describes rescue and other brave and fearsome adventures. July 26th 1918 mentions receiving news of torpedoing of H.M.T. Barunga and S.S. Carpathia (Titanic's rescuer). Here are snippets: 1917 HMT Crispin SOS call from SS Arrino; Sinking of SS Gamma by German submarine shellfire; SOS from SS Saturnia; SOS from SS araguaya; Passed ships lifeboats with people in it Air raid on Calais; SOS from SS bandoeng; SOS from SS Laconia Submarine attack on HMT Baron Napier; SOS from SS Kurdistan; SOS from SS Borderet Torpedoed and damaged March 29th; Appointed to HMT Ardgair, HMT Crispin sunk 3 days later Joins SS Inca1918 News of torpedoing of SS Tuscania; News of sinking of SS Aurania; Submarine bombardment of Dover Gun platform washed away in gale; Convoy in Gales for a week including constant contact with HMS Knight Templar Convoy attacked by submarines; SOS from SS Helaon (?); Another convoy, this time with HMS Discoverer and S Highland Rover Submarines sighted 20 July News of torpedoing of HMT Barunod (?) and SS Carpathia and US Cruiser News of Torpedoing of HMHS Warilda (Hospital Ship); Report of Sinking of Light Ship Diamond Shoals In convoy with HMS Gloucestershire Other ships mentioned in convoy SS War Bee, SS Flavia, SS Manchester, SS Dorringo de Larrinsou (?), SS Barrister SOS from SS Helenus SS Flavia torpedoed, destroyers counter attack submarine with depth charges; Back on shore from convoy Didn't kiss May but did kiss Alice, my word she's the better one of the two. Policeman calls to see why he has not serving with the colours. 2 days later reads calling up papers. At RAF or Army West Sandling camp - pneumonia, recovers. 28 Oct - Passed Out. Relapsed into pneumonia so not allowed to leave camp 11 Nov Armistice signed1920 Appointed SS Thorpe SOS from Belgian Schooner Anna of Nieuport SOS from SS Wellington off Lizard Atlantic voyage Collision with SS Prospero in fog off Owers light vessel Ashore in London Someone fraudulently claims his pay Working on soldiers exhibition Central Hall, opened by Bonar Law, visited y Lloyd George Joins SS Dunery (?) Dunerie? Ship leaking badly - Azores. It should be noted that the 1920 diary is incredibly interesting as he is still in radio service but many of the notes in the diary catalogue a list of ailments and physical and mental concerns we assume related to his service record. Mr. Smith has indeed sacrificed for his country. Overall the 3 diaries are G+.; Manuscript; 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, E. CYRIL SMITH, WWI, WORLD WAR I, WW1, THE GREAT WAR, ROYAL NAVY, MARCONI RADIO, MARCONI RADIO OPERATORS, BRITISH NAVY, NAUTICAL, MARINE, NAVAL, NAUTICAL,HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, DIARY, JOURNAL, LOG, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTO ALBUM, PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUM, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, HANDSCHRIFT, HANDGESCHRIEBEN, MANUSKRIPT, DIARIES, JOURNALS, LOGS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, antiquité, contrat, vélin, document, manuscrit, papier Antike, Brief, Pergament, Dokument, Manuskript, Papier oggetto d'antiquariato, atto, velina, documento, manoscritto, carta antigüedad, hecho, vitela, documento, manuscrito, Papel, Show more