HMS Galatea, which had recently been recommissioned for service in 3rd Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet, was to be be Bill's ride to Malta and departed Portsmouth on August 8, 1938. Bill made the most of a three day stop in Gibraltar noting, "Seeing Gibraltar and spending three days there with the Spanish inhabitants and a few English officers was the dream of a life time." Bill would explore the streets and laneways and take in the sights of Ceuta across the Straight of Gibraltar, as well as climb Gibraltar Rock. He was impressed with the friendly inhabitants and by their peculiar language which he described as "a corruption of Arabic - like nothing else in the world." Bill also writes, "Harbour is filled with Mediterranean destroyer fleet who go out every day on exercises and slip quietly in every night - wonderful sight." On August 14th Bill and HMS Galatea departed Gibraltar and arrived in Valetta on the 18th.