FOOTBALLERS ON THE "BALLARAT."

Corporal Jack Hoare, the star Association footballer, writing from Bordon Camp, describes the experience of the boys on board the "Ballarat." when it was torpedoed. He writes :-

"It was at 2 o'clock on Anzac Day (25th April). We were down below having a game, when some of the chaps rushed down and shout ed 'Look out for the torpedo!' After a few seconds there was a crash that shook the vessel from stem to stern. The torpedo struck the ship near the stern.

We all paraded on deck with our lifebelts on, and fell in in our proper places. They started to lower the boats at once, the nurses and sick going on the first boat. Our unit was allotted rafts, which we were to throw overboard, and then jump over ourselves and cling on to them till picked up. I am pleased to say we did not have to jump over, as we had orders to remain on deck, as the vessel was not sinking fast. We sent out wireless messages, and about 20 minutes after we got hit we saw two destroyers coming up at top speed.

They arrived 40 minutes after we were struck. We were transferred, and as we sailed away the bow of the Ballarat was well out of the water, and the stern well in. It was like being on an express, the destroyer cutting it out at 30 knots an hour. We looked a 'ragtime' army when we landed, some half dressed and others with blueys on, I did not save anything.

We were put up at the Naval Barracks the first night. Next day we left with regret, as the Jack Tars treated us like toffs. We passed through some pretty places on our way to Bordon which is about 40 miles from London."  

Len. Wilkinson, another Essendon (A.) player, was on board the "Ballarat."