The 1st troop ship to set sail after the sinking of the SS Mendi

Following the sinking of the SS Mendi troop ship carrying the Fifth Battalion of the South African Native Labour Contingent, the recruitment process for troops to assist in World War 1 was not heavily impacted. On the 23rd of March the 1st ship, the Durham Castle, carrying Black troops after the Mendi set sail from Cape Town. The following is an excerpt from Jingoes, who wrote of his journey, published in Black Valour: “’I do not wish to imply,’ continued the Major, that your ship, also, will be sunk, but you ought to know what has happened. You knew, when you volunteered, that you might have to fight: you knew what war is…’” The experience of this troopship was that of good weather conditions and orderly routines.