Cape Breton's Magazine

back. He said, "You're apt to get torpe? doed, you're apt to get mined, you're apt to get bombed, on that run." We had to buy all our own food. But we got the large sum of 5 pounds, so many shillings, a week. That was real good pay. But we had to buy our own food. So, I bought food. I thought it would last me awhile. We pulled out of Hull, out of the mouth of the Humber. And there were 9 ships just steaming along--supposed to join a down convoy.... Five planes came from the English side-- 21st of December, 1939. And they had put on a gun, that ship had a gunner aboard. I iordon R( Gordon Reynolds SYDNEY 562-3100 Based in Sydney Serving All of Cape Breton Lifetime Cape Breton resident Gord Reynolds and his staff will help you with all your business and vacation travel needs. Member of a nation? wide chain of full-service travel agencies. 'j And our services are free! , * ?? • =p Contact us first to plan group travel-such as %-r' genealogical tours, sport and school travel- ; ' ?? or any individual need. Summer Hours: iMarjorie Gaibraith Mottday to Friday, 9 to 5. And by appointment. serving travellers since 1955 don't know if he was even near the gun. But these were dive bombers. We thought they were English planes, because we couldn't see land, and there was haze. And oh, they came down. And didn't sink a ship--well, at least they didn't sink while we were there. But it damaged 3 ships out of 9. And that was it. We scat? tered, what was left--6 ships left-- everybody on their own. Didn't wait for a down convoy. We kept going. And that night--clear, moonlight night. Nothing else happened. The following night we made the mouth of the river. And we got to Antwerp. I spent Christmas in Antwerp. And I spent New Year's in Dunkirk. And I paid off--there was a ship hit one of them magnetic mines. But you had this degauss? ing gear on the ships then. But this ship hit. something--a sister ship to the one I was on--Associated Humber Lines. I forget the name of the ship, but it hit--blew up --struck something. And when the smoke drifted away, it was almost a calm night. And all this black smoke. And we had lots of iron we were bringing back from Bel? gium. Belgium was a neutral country. I know the English lad was saying, "Look, we're bringing German iron. And we're fighting Germany." But we were bringing back this finished--! call it finished. I don't know--it looked like a big iron bridge, before you put it together. All painted red--some kind. We had it loaded up. And I think the other ship had the same thing. But when the smoke cleared, the ship had already sunk. And I remember there was an? other fireman standing by me. He said, "That's what'd happen to us if we ever hit one of them things." It went down fast. So I got off. I paid off. And I got on a ship called the Fowbery Tower. I remember the first discharge papers I had--a wonder I didn't lose it.... Description of voy? age, it was marked "OHMS." We came to Bal? timore, then came to Halifax. CtiOW VAN f 00 Restaurant OPEN DAILY 11 A.M. to 1 A.M. FRI. and SAT. till 2 AM. SUN. till MIDNIGHT Major Credit Cards Accepted Gift Certificates * Ample Parking Oriental and Canadian Cuisine in a relaxed and elegant dining atmosphere Daily Luncheon Specials Banquet Facilities Available Take Out Orders Delivered Excellent Service and Fine Food. } 460 Grand Lake Rd., Sydney 562-0088 or 539-2825