The wind veered in an easterly direction and the ship rolled very badly. It was the first night out at sea and nobody got much sleep. This was the worst storm the ship had encountered since leaving Southampton.

With the exception of Walter Horsfield, none of the fifteen had any experience of being at sea in this kind of weather.

Frank Durkley had been a baker in civilian life and wished he was back in the warmth of his bakehouse, or preferably the cosiness of the little house in Bairstow Street with his wife Mary Ellen and their young child.

In addition to his interest in the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, Frank was very active in the Young Men’s Christian Association and a keen member of the local branch.