Diego Suarez Arrival

T.R.S…
On Thursday (Feb. 14th) anchored at Diego Suarez, Madagascar under sweltering sun. Did not go ashore. Those who did reported town hot, muddy, dusty, smelly, filthy, and dilapidated. In bay are two half-submerged hulks of gun boats bombed during war. Two scrap-dealers aboard drooled at their salvage possibilities.

Caronia took on fresh water supply. One seaman on a binge had to be hoisted aboard from tender by rope tackle, and was heaved through port door with loud applause by his mates. No punishment.

Madagascar is a French possession, third largest island on earth. It is quite obvious that the French are poor Colonists, and inhabitants still live in a pioneer era like 100 years ago in America. Island is 1,000 miles long by 250 miles wide and claims total population of 4,000,000, but Diego Suarez (30,000) is principal city - 95 per cent native.

Chief product is sisal used for cordage and weaving. Natives make baskets, hats and trinkets of this fragile material. If anybody ever offers to trade you Madagascar for a vacant lot in Cridersville, you will be swindled if you deal. But must admit that a glorious sunset and a heavenly rising moon made the stop worth while.

Interiors of stores stifling, but large assortment of native merchandise attracts the crowds. A street vendor carries a brass coffee urn slung from his shoulder and attracts trade by rhythmic rattle of two cups held in one hand.

A native woman, bare except for red skirt and turban, crosses the boulevard yelling at high pitch. Jaw set, face expressionless, arms relaxed at sides, but yelling and loud as she moved rapidly down sidewalk. Wondered what she was selling? Learned later this is custom of native women when they lose their husbands.

After two hours bucking traffic and crowds and nearly famished from thirst, returned to ship for bath and fresh linen. Don't see how residents endure intense heat. As ship pulled away from dock at 5pm., hundreds of people dressed in a profusion of colour, with skins of all shades of brown, were on dock to see us off.

At sunset the air chilled and by 10 o'clock we pulled bed sheets over us for comfort.