On Cunard liner "Ascania"

Move out 5:15 - get your peashooter ready - go aft & see 2 R.N. gunners prepare our 4.7 for action - some 40 ships leave with us - 2 destroyers & Monitor in offing - over 50 ships enter when gate in U-boat nets opened - chalk cliffs of France very distant.

Fine day - pass the Lizard 4pm - Eddystone light in the evening. Steering zig-zag course and with lights dowsed

Last day of zig-zag course - 15 degree W. of danger zone. Service by Purser in morning & by our clerical friend in evening - unbelievably narrow the church has made England what it is

BC Archives, MS-0392 Box 1 Volume 5 / FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS / Diary and enclosures, 1916.