d, the vessels steamed out of dock and turned, away from
their normal routes, towards the coast of France.

To serve as ballast weight, the stowage of cargo in the lower holds was
frequently left in place for the term of the vessel's troop service.
Months, perhaps a year later, the merchandise arrived at its
destination. Consignees would wonder at its tardy delivery--they could
see no record of its itinerary as shewn by the bills of lading, unless
they read into the fine prefix--'War: the King's Enemies: restraints of
Rulers and Princes'--the romance of its voyaging with the heroes of
Mons.

To transport the overseas troops from India and Canada and Australia,
different measures were necessary. The ships requisitioned for this
service had to be specially fitted for the longer voyage. The State was
lavish and extravagant under the sudden pressure of events. The
many-handed control at the ports made for an upheaval and dislocation of
shipyard labour that did not hasten the urgent dispatch of the vessels.
The hysteria of the times gave excuse for a squandering of valuable
ship-tonnage that was without parallel. Large liners, already fitted for
carriage of passengers, were employed as prison and internment ships.
Curious situations arose in the disposal of others. At the north end, a
large vessel might suddenly be requisitioned and taken from her
trade--with all the consequent confusion and relay; by day and night the
work of fitting her would go on. South, a vessel of similar size and
build might be found, having her troop-fittings removed, in preparation
for an ordinary trading voyage. Still, if the end justifies the means,
the ultimate results were not without credit. The garrison troops from
Malta and Egypt and Gibraltar and South Africa were moved with a
celerity that is unexampled; a huge contingent from India was placed on
the field in record time. A convoy of thirty-one merchantmen brought
Canadian arms to our assistance: Australians, in thirty-six ships,
crossed the Indian Ocean to take up station in Egypt. The unsubsidized
and singular enterprise of the merchants was proving its worth: as vital
to the success of our cause as the great war fleet, the merchants' ships
aided to stem the onrush in France and Flanders.

Considerations of economy followed upon the excited measures with which
the first transport of available troops was effected. In the period of
training and preparation for the long offensive, the Tran