THE WAR.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2701, 21 April 1915, Page 4

THE WAR.

ON THE HIGH SEAS.

TRANSPORT'S PERILS AUSTRALIAN' S STORY.

FIRED-ON BY GERMAN- WARSHIP.

Sydney, April 9. Lan C. Tennant, a young New Scrath "Welshman, came back to Sydney a few days ago alter liavin'g crammed more excitement into his life during the last eight nionths than falls to the lot of most men in all their days. After trying vainly to join the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces —he failed to pass the necessary examinations —Mr Tennant accepted a .position on a transport- ship. The vessel saiied from Lyttelton (N.Z.) on th© morning of August 14, under sealed orders. When the destination was found to be the Brazilian port of Pernambueo, the master of the vessel took her into the Antarctic Ocean to escape any risk from German warships and mines. During the run the southernmost island in the world, Diego Ramariezj was passed. The weather was bitterly cold, and the transport was menaced all the time by huge icebergs. Everything went finely until Pernambueo was only six hours distant.

! All of a sudden a Gorman auxiliary, cruiser, believed to >>c the Navarra, was sighted, and every ounce of speed was urged out of the vessel. Twice the Navarra fired at the transport, . but each shot fell short. Just as the j pursued steamer entered the haven of Pernambuco, the NaV«rra got.witliin range, but was too late, in Pernambuco there were 17 German vessels of all descriptions taking refuge. "You can imagine the compliments that were hurled at us from all sides as we steamed to our moorings," said Mr Tennant. "We took no notice of the Germans —we were too well pleased to have escaped the guns of the Navarra to worry about mere words. That night the Navarra came into Pernambuco, and at- about midnight took up moorings right alongside our ship. She was so close to us that there would have been no difficulty in jumping on her d"c!>s. The officers were mightily curious as to oiir cargo, judging by the manner in I which they overlooked the vessel. ; Nest morning the Navarra steamed out, and when beyond the three miles limit hove to, apnarently ready for us. Then it became a waiting game. We heard that the Navarra had just previously sunk one of the Houston liners, and our skipper had no desire to be sent the same way. The crew -of the Houston steimer- were allowed 10 minutes in which to take to the boats, and when they got ashore they were 100 miles from .Pernambuco, on a most inhospitable .shore. After untold hardships the men succeeded in reach- ! ing Pernambuco.. where they were I well treated, and afterwards sent back ito England. For two days the Navarra hovered round outside, but was then seen to steam away. Our captain decided to take a risk, and put out to sea. Fortunately we did not encounter the pirate again. However, we had our own troubles. The coal bunkers caught fire, and all hands wore busily engaged in quenching the . flames. We also ran short of water, and were all placed on an allowance of three quarts for two days. Needless to say, We kept the water for drinking /and washed with salt water. When we arrived at Boston stores were beginning to fall short, and the sight of a supply ship which came to meet us was welcome. From-Bos-ton we went to New York, and after discharging portion of our cargo we sailed for the Continent, where the meat cargo was delivered for the Allied Forces. "That part of the work completed, we were ordered to Barry, in Wales, where we loaded a cargo of explosives, including 3000 tons of dynamite. During the run down the Englsh Chanel we heard of 14 vessels being sunk by mines, and of two being torpedoed I withn 12 miles of where we were. ! However, we got safely through, and had a quiet time until we reached Port Said. There we learned that the Turks had just rushed tb,e Suez Canal. After a while it was gathered I that the Turks had been driven uack, and the only danger to be feared was from sharpshooters and sniper's. The captain of the vessel took on board a number of rifles and a quantity of ammuniton, wheh everybody on board was to use should the necessity arise. A large number of sandbags wore ..placed round the bridge as a defence. We had no fear of ordinary bullets penetrating the sides of the vessel, a"'d thus reaching the magazines. The .slow of the canal was safely ."•'initiated, and wp reached Australia v.'ii'-iiut any further adventure." M" , Tennant nmv intends to join t';-> Expeditionary Forces in this State if possible."