The Henson Journals

[93]

Wednesday, December 16th, 1914.

135th day

When I came to my study about 8 a.m. I was impressed by the sound of guns, which I immediately surmised to be from the sea. Later in the day, my surmise was confirmed. A German squadron had bombarded the Hartlepools, Whitby, & Scarborough, inflicting considerable loss of life on the civilian population, and doing much damage to property.

At first we were encouraged to believe that the enemy had been attacked & sunk, but later information dispelled our hopes, & we learned with surprise & humiliation that the German ships succeeded in returning to their own ports unscathed! This will put heart into the German people, & give a plausible text for much official lying. I signalized the occasion by buying from Rushworth several pieces of furniture!!

---