1914-09-29asg

“ Joseph Tinsley, who has been on a visit to England for the past few weeks, returned to this city Sunday evening.”

Hamilton Herald.   September 29, 1914

 Upon his return to Hamilton from his overseas trip, Joseph Tinsley, aka Jaques, had a story to tell his colleagues at the Hamilton Herald and to his faithful readers

Between the time he left Hamilton and the time he returned, the Great War, as it was called at the time, had been declared. That fact had a profound impact on Jaques time in England and on his travel plans generally :

“Speaking of his voyage out on the Scotian, he had, it may be surmised, and experience tinged with excitement and military incident.

“Arrangements had been made to leave for Canada at an early date. Just before the day of sailing, an order from the government upset all plans made by shipping agents.

“In a few days, another berth was obtained.”¹

¹ “Jaques Tells of Trip Home : Passengers on Scotian Had Rather Exciting Time on Atlantic : A Description of Life on an Ocean Liner in War Time.”

Hamilton Herald.     September 29, 1914

Jaques did not question being bumped from the vessel which  he had bought passage on for his trip home:

“No one can complain about too much ‘red-tapeism by the authorities being used in taking boats from the shipping companies. Without notice, the vessel is taken.”¹

Finally getting another ticket for passage for Jaques and his wife on the Scotian, sailing from Liverpool, was obtained:

“At the docks the strictest examination was the rule. No friends were privileged to go on board with the passengers. Officers of the army, in addition to the other usual ship’s officers, were stationed on the landing stage, and all tickets and papers were closely examined as the men were passed.”

Jaques felt that there was hardly room in one Herald article on his trip across the ocean to enumerate what he called “the usual and unusual hitches and pitches incidental” to such a voyage:

“There were lots of those little upheavals to be witnessed everywhere.

“On September 22, one passenger was greatly surprised – an old lady passenger was alarmed – when the steward abruptly entered the room and at once proceeded to hang up curtains over the cabin window, at the same issuing a warning that the room must be kept as dark as possible.

“Naturally the question was asked why the change was made.

“The steward’s answer was: ‘I know nothing. That is the order issued.’

“The returning passage was well-acquainted with the fact that the government exercised great secrecy in war matters, but, up to September 22, 1914, had no idea that so much mystery surrounded the interior of a ship’s cabin.

“Well, here is an explanation. Jaques is writing this article, and what is herein  contained is written from personal experience..

“I though a visit to the deck would help out. When reaching the spot all was in total darkness. Waiting for a short time, a sound was heard. Soon a whispered was made to my question, and a decision was reached to repair to our rooms while all was safe – especially as one of the ship’s officers had ordered us to our cabins.

“All through the evening, dreaded sounds were heard. Once, it was supposed, a rocket was seen in the air. Then, one person averred the boat was being turned around. For what reason ? No one could reply. Wait till morning. And the passengers had to wait.”¹

Jaques accepted that he had to wait until morning to find out what was going, but it was indeed very early in the morning the next day that he was after an answer to his questions:

“On the decks, two at each end, were four six-pounder guns, some twenty-eight feet in length, and capable of throwing a shot five miles.

“ ‘Why, Mr. Jaques,’ said the purser, ‘you have, during the past two days, been asking questons and putting yourself in places that should have given all the news wanted.’

“ ‘How long have the guns been here? I never noticed them,’ I inquired.    

“ ‘Of course not. They were enveloped when leaving Liverpool with canvas, so hiding up the knowledge of their presence from spies.’

“In a few hours, arrangements had been made to hold gun exercises, under the superintendence of qualified men. The notice that gun practice was to be held on board had not filtered out to all passengers. Just try to think of the consternation experienced by those passengers who were in cabins or elsewhere on the ship when the first gun shot was heard! Women and men rushed to the drilling quarters, fully expecting to see a body of Germans in possession.

“After practice had been followed up, it was decided that the men behind the gun had done well.

“The next night the curtains were again drawn, and people sat listening.

“Upon inquiry it was learned that the Scotian was protected by a British vessel some twenty miles away. It was also authentically stated that a German cruiser had been on the trail of the Scotian, running as near as possible.

“For many hours, the captain was at his post, and his words were anxiously awaited for the next morning. On the evening of Friday, it was given out that the danger zone had passed, as we were nearing the St. Lawrence.”¹

While progressing up the river, passengers saw several troops ships heading in the opposite direction, carrying Canadian volunteers. Each ship was given a mighty cheer by the Scotian’s passengers, while from the troop ships, a chorus of many soldiers’ voices could be heard singing “Britannia Rules the Waves” in reply.

Unusually, for the arrival of a passenger ship completing an oceanic crossing, the ship was pulling into a dock at Montreal after the sun had gone down. It was 10:45 p.m, and it was raining heavily.:

“There was much indignation at the Scotian landing passengers in a strange place after nine in the evening.

“Pshaw ! What’s indignation of people returning home, of mothers with helpless children, of box hunters and box losers, what, I say, is indignation under such circumstance?

“The word had gone forth from some person that no person, except the crew, was allowed on board again that night. Moreover, the fiat had come from the war office that the Scotian must leave for Quebec that night to carry troops over the sea.”

Jaques ended his recounting of his adventure in typical Jaues style:

“Early Sunday, a C.P.R. train is taken for Hamilton. An interesting visit to England, when the capital was in war fever is shared by one who kept his eyes open. He is known as

                    JAQUES” ¹