SS President Polk, Tasman Sea

Ship pulled out at about 8:30 a.m. The farewells shouted ashore were spirited, and hundreds of handkerchiefs could be seen waving to us from the windows ashore. I think everyone aboard truly hated to leave this beautiful town, for we have all been treated so very well. Suppose that this is the last time I shall ever see Wellington — and Diana (a few more days and that would have developed into something which would have made a leaving a major operation). I must not forget to send her a magazine subscription which I promised. (New Zealand credit is so bad that it is impossible to obtain foreign (U.S.) specie.)

Passed a shipload of US military trucks on the way out of the harbor.

When we got clear of the strait separating the North and South Island the ship commenced to roll. At dinnertime it was rolling so heavily that whole table-loads of food slid to the floor. Later sitting in our cabin in the dark John and I both fell over in our chairs as the ship gave an extra-heavy roll.

Rumor has it (our steward) that we are headed for Brisbane — everyone was hoping for Sydney.