Having set sail to the continent, Fr Doyle describes the crossing.
The moon was surrounded by magnificent halo or crown, which I promptly bagged for myself. I was fortunately able to get some tea on shore, for though they served us with lifebelts, nothing in the shape of dinner or rations came along. There were only a few bunks which I left to the other officers, and as there was no place to sleep, except the stoke hole, which I was not having this journey, I picked a comfortable corner on deck and prepared for a snooze, when alas! Down came the rain. Providence however came to my rescue: the 2nd engineer passing by very kindly offered me a share of his cabin, and I slept like a top on the settee. He was awfully kind to me, even offering me a share of his bunk, and this morning he had hot coffee and buns ready when I awoke; but as I was hoping to be able to celebrate Mass on shore, I had to postpone that luxury. At present there seems little prospect of either Mass or breakfast, as it is now 9 and we have been lying offshore since 4 this morning. 11:30 AM. Just landed. Seeing there was no chance for Mass, I secured a welcome cup of tea; also a plate of cold liver and potatoes likewise cold – a dish to tempt one’s appetite after a channel crossing!