Helsingbourg

Friday 27^th February

I was on cargo watch with the 3^rd Officer this morning. It was very cold. Instead of using the ship’s derricks, shore side cranes were used. The lack of noise was impressive. In the after end of 4A several drums and packs of organic essence were stowed. They were lined up with dunnage nailed against their bases and then a wire put round them and hauled tight on the winch. However, it was not enough against the violent weather across the Atlantic. The drums (several) were smashed and buckled and the insulated bulkheads were damaged. The essence which had leaked had run down into all the lower holds. I had the afternoon off and went ashore. The shops etc. were very nice but extremely expensive (Helsingborg). 

Saturday 28^th February

Worked the cargo watch in the afternoon till 20.00. A constant stream of Swedes would keep asking if you had whisky or cigarettes to sell. Another would be offering pornographic books. When we came to close the hatches last night it was very difficult due to the ice which had formed round the wheels. This had to be chipped off with crowbars and the lids closed with much heaving and effort. We had the same trouble today as we tried to shut the lids. Most of the day was spent shoring up the remaining cargo and trying to close the lids. The weather was very foggy but at dinner time it cleared and so, to take advantage of it, we sailed out of the harbour and anchored off whilst the shoring was finished off. The fog came down again so we had two men ringing the bell for’ard and a gong aft for five seconds in every minute. We sailed during the afternoon and I did the 4 to 8 watch.