BR TO PATRICIA RUSSELL, 2 OCT. [1948]
BRACERS 52621. AL(TC). McMaster
Proofread by K. Blackwell

Trondheim
October 2

… You will no doubt have learnt that I was in an accident to-day — luckily one in which I suffered no damage beyond loss of suit-case etc. I was sure the newspapers would exaggerate so I telegraphed to you at once.1 I came from Oslo in a sea-plane, and just as it touched the water on arrival here a sudden wind blew it onto its side and let the water in. Boats were sent out instantly, and we had to jump from a window and swim till they reached us, which was only about a minute. I did not know till later that some who could not swim were drowned. It did me no harm whatever. My writing is queer because my pen is lost. I went to bed because I had no dry clothes. The Consul has now brought me a suit till mine is dry. Everybody has made far more fuss of me than the occasion warranted. I was struck by the good behaviour of the passengers — all did exactly as they were told without any fuss.

Your telegram just come. I assure you most solemnly that I have suffered no ill effects. Without my doing they called a Dr. who congratulated me on my entire freedom from damage.

Attache case just come—only baggage saved, because I jumped overboard holding it.

• 1

  at once. Patricia Russell’s note: “His telegram of course wasn’t as quick as the first Press messages.” Patricia wrote Kate Tait at length on 8 Oct. about the accident (record 52623): “Thank you so much for your nice letter. I was touched by it, because you are one of the few people who thought of Conrad and me as well as of Diddy. I am so very glad my cable reached you before the news, because even if it said he was unhurt you might not have believed it. I myself had two dreadful hours when I only knew that he had been picked up alive but not whether he was among those seriously injured. I thought we should probably have heard if he were, but couldn’t be sure, and you can imagine how horrible it was to think of him perhaps suffering, perhaps dying, and quite out of reach. I telephoned to the Embassy at Oslo, where he had his headquarters, but the Ambassador was out and no one knew anything. They phoned me back later, after a kind reporter had already got through to Trondheim and assured me he was really alright, to say the same, and told me the Ambassador had phoned Trondheim to make sure he was safe before going out to Lunch. I thought he ought to have thought of Diddy’s family. Before we knew he was unhurt the evening papers came out and then I had to tell Conrad, who was quite wonderful. He gave me a quick hug, said ‘I’m sure he’s alright’, shoved Pooh into my arms, and straightway put the kettle on to make me some tea. Half an hour later we got the good news, but I remained very anxious for some days for fear of a cold and pneumonia. He went to a dinner party the same night, his lecture having been cancelled against his wish. It was wicked of them to let him and it made me frenzied with anxiety. You know how naughty and wilful he can be about colds. However, I had a telegram from him yesterday assuring me that he is still quite fit, and he comes home on Sunday. I don’t know how I shall bear his going off again, but I must. He goes to Berlin in another week and so on after that to Italy. Although he says he was stupid, which I can easily believe, he was obviously really brave too and it is impossible not to be very proud of him. I don’t know, or care much, whether he gets compensated for lost property. I expect he will be given extra clothing coupons. We have been overwhelmed with enquiries of course and even Conrad says he has had about enough of being congratulated. It will be impossible to go out when Diddy gets back — he will hate it so — complete strangers coming up and saying how glad they are. At first one is pleased, then one wants to hide. And it is hard to know what to say when people tell one he is wonderful, as we knew it already. You remember his huge overcoat? I once tried it on and the weight nearly felled me to the ground. It would hardly seem possible to swim in it, but someone suggested to me that it would take so long to soak that it would help to float him for some time.”