Possible Clues:

• Hang on, beginning to get aboard vessel
• Stay in Berlin, Germany
• Remain in appealing ermine
• Stop first of guards boarding ship
• Hang around big ship -- good to be aboard
• Tarry awhile
• Delay vessel taking on gallons
• Stay that is missing from corset?
• Hang on? Presumably, you can catch this from one of those in hospital!
• Dawdle and pretend to be ill with mum absent