The Henson Journals

[11]

13th Sunday after Trinity, September 6th, 1914.

33rd day

A bright morning. I celebrated in the Cathedral at 8 a.m. using the special prayers issued for the war. The appearance of the casualty lists gives actuality to the references they contain to bereavement, &c &c. On returning to the house I learned that another British vessel, the 'Pathfinder' had been blown up by a mine. That form of warfare is the most frightful & disturbing of all; and the Germans appear to make much use of it. Later in the day came news that a Wilson liner had been destroyed by a mine: & that the German had sunk 16 trawlers.

Bishop Quirk preached his first sermon at Mattins. He also celebrated. I came in at the back of the Church, & observed Dennett read the Gospel at a fantastic angle. I sent for him, & told him that he must follow the use of the Cathedral. He promised obedience.

I called on J. G. Wilson [John Wilson], and took him for a walk. He looks old & broken. His wife's death would in any case have been hard to bear: but in the present stress of anxiety – he has a son somewhere in the North Sea on the Fleet – it is particularly so: &, of course, though his vigour & good spirits make it difficult to believe that he can be so old, he is already past 65.

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