The Ocean Lyre, Bubbles from the Thirsty Sevenths, Shell Shocks ... they are just some of the many troop ship journals that give insights into the recesses of World War 1 soldiers' minds as they were shipped off to the front lines.
The journals, many of which were written, illustrated and published on board vessels by soldiers, are part of a tour of the Rare Books Collection at the Dunedin Public Library this week for Heritage Week and Anzac Day.
Dunedin Public Library rare books librarian Anthony Tedeschi said there were more than 350 troop ship journals in the library's Rare Books Collection - the earliest of which were published in 1915 and were donated by returned servicemen.
''Their main purpose was to provide light relief and entertain the troops on the long journey to the front lines.
''It could take up to six weeks, and without them, it would have been quite monotonous.
''Some were satirical, some were sarcastic. Others were more poetic and informative. They were all different - some of them were just one-offs.
''They give an insight into a soldier's life aboard a ship bound for the Front. It certainly adds a personal touch, a human face to the war.''
Mr Tedeschi said the library had also accumulated a large collection of World War 2 troop ship journals, which would also be available for viewing on the tour.
While the publications were normally closed to the public, they would be available for viewing by appointment this week.
It was hoped the publications could be digitised for internet downloading in time for the World War 1 centenary next year, Mr Tedeschi said.
