HOUSES SHAKEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24292, 5 June 1942, Page 5

HOUSES SHAKEN

A LOUD EXPLOSION REACTIONS OF RESIDENTS SYDNEY, June 3 Hundreds of people around Sydney Harbour heard the explosions and saw the searchlights which followed the location of the Japanese submarines that took part in the raid on Sunday night. Most people, however, thought that exercises were taking place. The explosion of the torpedo which sank the did ferry boat was heard by people a mile away. Although muffled, the explosion was sufficiently violent to shake thousands of houses and blocks of flats along the waterfront. Picture-frames fell from mantelpieces. Ornaments toppled from bookshelves, and crockery rattled in the kitchens. Many people thought there was an air raid, and hurriedly dressed, hut their fears were allayed when no further explosions of the same violence occurred. There was much speculation as to whether the reverbration was caused hy an earthquake. Most people, however, contented their minds with the thought that heavy blasting was in progress. Few guessed the real explanation. Speedy Patrol Boats A resident whose home overlooks thei harbour said that the first shook his house. He hurriedly put on a' dressing gown and stood on his front verandah. Across the harbour he saw searchlights concentrated on the water in one direction. In a few minutes guns I opened lire. Heavy smoke could he seen] through the rays of the searchlights. "I came to the conclusion that it was a test," ho continued. "Harhour patrol boats were dashing around like mosquitos, showing their port and starhoard lights. At intervals I heard muffled detonations which suggested depth charges at different places toward the Heads. Throughout the night I heard explosions in the distance toward the sea. During the firing of the guns on the harbour, machine-gun 'rat-a-tat' was also heard. After it was all over I still thought it was a test." Residents at a guest house on the waterfront said that the whole house shook to an explosion, followed hy a blast which swayed the curtains. ''Many of us thought'the first Japanese bombs were falling on Sydney," said Miss L. Anderson. "The first thing we did was to rush out on to the lawn to see what was happening. We saw the searchlights flicker on one by one until the harbour was a mass of lights. Tracer bullets whizzed over the water." Sinking of Ferry The former ferry was at her moorings when the torpedo struck her under the stern, and wrecked the whole of the after-part. Within a few minutes the ferry had practically submerged. Only Iter'upper deck remained above water. Shattered woodwork, broken glass, tables and forms, mixed with the wreckage on the tipper deck, which was half awash, showed the terrific force of the explosion. An eye-witness who saw the explosion said: "I saw the whole ferry lift as though she were on the top of an enormous wave, and then settle down again, sinking at the stern. I saw pieces of wood flying in the air. Half the steering wheel was blown away." OCEAN SWEEP i MOTHER SHIP SOUGHT BEST SCOUT PILOTS MELBOURNE, June 3 The best Australian and American scout pilots available, flying long-range reconnaissance aeroplanes, have been sent to help in the search for the ship or large submarine which acted as mother ship to the midgets which made the raid on Sydney Harbour. They are making a wide sweep of the Pacific Ocean, radiating from Sydney. So far they have covered thousands of miles, but their task is extremely difficult. It is presumed now that a parent vessel sent off the midgets on their mission about dusk on Saturday and fled immediately to ensure its own safctv. Difficult Task On this reckoning it had at least 30 hours' start before the alarm was raised. Competent observers say that this would have enabled the craft to put at least 600 miles between it and the Australian coast before pursuit craft could be sent out. Furthermore, the direction taken by the fleeing vessel might he anything from almost due north to direct east, or even toward the south. Thus there is an enormous stretch of water for the searchers to cover. _ Naval experts believe that in a task of tiiis nature every 15 miles of the sea should be gone over to ensure a complete survey. In the wide waters oi the Pacific that would require a specia force at least comparable in size and intensity of effort with the British coastal 'patrol. . Examination of the submarines when thev are raised will give a clue to the distance from the coast to which the enemy vessel approached. Experts say that 'if the midget submarines hod Diesel engines as well as batteries they could travel upwards of 200 miles a* a large submarine could provide them with fresh supplies of Diesel oil at a point within their maximum _ cruising capacity. If they were driven by batteries alone, their range would be considerably Jess. Catalina Flying-boats In the search that has been going on since earlv on Monday morning it has been borne in mind that more SSgct submarines than those winch found the harbour entrance might have E released, and that possibly some were lingering along the coast Observers on land and sea and m the air have been keeping a close ™ tch - Catalina flying-boats, which can stay in the air for at least 2-1 hours are ranging far and wide over the Coral Se" and their work is being suppleme ted by Lockheed Hudsons, winch have proved their worth in operations gainst submarines and shipping it. England, and by American bombers. ENGAGEMENTS Nor ,on-Sm ea th.-Mr. and Mrs. R. ftwath Pacrua. announce the eminent of the \f« G W. Norton, Omahn. BBirt. Dimchka.—The engagement Is an--'t son of Airs, and the late Mr. W. Beid tv ,n rnp Walm<dev Road, Manure, and Me Mr F W. Dusrhka, Waitn Bench. Vemwll- Christophers. -The encasement is ,„„,?,,■'•! Mween Charles William, only son '"'.") to Mr. and Mrs John \ ennel of SUwrll, Victoria and Krnfflt.no Mary (Nina), nnlv daughter of Mr and Mrs. A. C. Christophers, of Rotorna. __