NAVAL STOWAWAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 17, 1 November 1935, Page 7

NAVAL STOWAWAY

STOKER LEAVES ON DIOMEDE.

SENT BACK TO THE SLOOP. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 31.* A stoker in H.M.S. Leith stowed away on board H.M.S. Diomede when she left Auckland on October 20 for special service under the Admiralty, bound for an undisclosed destination. Safely away from the harbour, the stowaway believed that nothing could prevent his being taken overseas in the cruiser. However, soon after the Commander of the Diomede (Captain Cosmo Graham) had given the order to proceed at full speed down the Hauraki Gulf the man was discovered by an officer. Captain Graham at once signalled a pleasure launch that happened to be cruising nearby, and the man was put off. On arrival at Kawau Island, he was handed over to the local Justice of the Peace, who arranged later for the man's removal to the mainland at Mahurangj, where he was met by a policeman and taken to Devonport by motor-car. A master-at-arms from the Leith then took the man into custody in the sloop. Be was brought before the Commander of the Leith (Captain Bevir) on the following day, being charged with improperly leavr ing his ship. The stoker said he went on board the Diomede on Sunday afternoon shortly before her departure, to bid farewell to some of his friends. The excitement among the sailors who were going on an unknown adventure had mafie him act on the spur of the moment, and he remained on board when the cruiser sailed. He had acted on a sudden impulse. ; . A very serious view is taken by the naval authorities of such breaches; but as the man was brought back on the same day tli.e captain exercised his discretion and sentenced him to lose his good conduct badge, and stopped his shore leave for a period. Had the man actually got away in the Diomede, a much more severe penalty would probably have been imposed.