A deplorably sad and stupid incident occurred in the Nachimoff yesterday. Ships having no bakery on board obtain their bread, when at anchorage, from other ships or from the shore. They did not trouble about the matter in the Nachimoff. The crew were living on rusks. Yesterday they demanded fresh bread. The affair spread, and the men offered passive resistance by not dismissing after prayers, though ordered to do so. There is now to be an inquiry. At other times and under other conditions some of the crew would have been distributed among the other ships, and some would have been shot—there would have been no other alternative. Now they are trying to hush the matter up. In spite of this, some will suffer.
One of the Malay prisoners who was in cells in the Alexander has been sent to the hospital-ship Orel, as he fell ill from the hot temperature in his prison.
FOOTNOTES:
[5] An apparatus for hoisting coal in bags out of colliers into the ships.
[6] A small flag flown in the bow of the ship when at anchor.
[7] An implement used by washerwomen.
CHAPTER VI
WAITING FOR ORDERS
January 12th.—It is very possible that on the 16th the fleet will receive instructions from Petersburg either to return, proceed to the East, or stay somewhere here until further orders. I wish they would decide quickly. Uncertainty is worse than anything. It is very unhealthy, staying here during the rainy season. Fevers, dysentery, and similar delights are rampant. Europeans cannot stand the climate. Anchorages like our present one end by having a bad effect on the spirits of the crew. They deteriorate. The affair in the Nachimoff serves as an example of this.