After almost one week at sea the convoy was now off the coast of Ireland. This area of the North Atlantic was known as the “Danger Zone” and measures were taken to lessen the threat of U-boat attacks, which were a real danger. Don’t forget that this was just a few days before the Battle of Jutland in the North Sea, the only significant naval battle of the First War. James recorded in his diary;
Today we entered the “Danger Zone” and each man has to wear a life belt all the time. Wherever he goes he has to carry it about with him so as to be ready in case of accident.
In spite of the danger which might be nearer than we think, or even death, the levity, cursing and indifference still continues. It is simply appalling that Christ should be ignored and yet it is evident.
Bro. Pound is still writing. He seems to be nearly always writing to his wife in Canada. He married a few days before leaving. Is it wise?
The following day (28th May) he wrote;
Today the sea was calm. We are still in the war zone. Three destroyers came out to meet us to escort us into Liverpool. They are certainly very fast. Towards evening the sight from the ship was lovely, the sun was shining over the sea and the light was dancing over the waves.
(Personal Diary)
The published Diary of the Eleventh recorded of the same day;
On the seventh day at Sea the vessels, nearing the danger zone, began to take a zig-zag course; at the same time lifebelts were ordered to be worn. Towards evening as the sun went down in the west, attention of all on deck was drawn to heliographic flashing on the eastern horizon. Conjectures as to what these might mean were not long left unsatisfied; for in less than ten minutes three destroyers had taken up their positions across the respective bows of the three troop ships. The coming of these destroyers seemed like a hand thrust out from the mother country to welcome her sons, and while these heliographic messages were untranslatable by the landlubber, there was no one on board who did not read in them an urgent message of gratitude and assurance from the old world.
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