BREAKFAST AS USUAL

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1926, Page 9

BREAKFAST AS USUAL

EVERYBODY WELL LOOKED AFTER. PASSENGERS' STORY OF WRECK. AN ANXIOUS NIGHT. ROCKETS AND WIRELESS. Some of the passengers had retired. but I should say that quite half were still up," said an Auckland business man. who w-as a passenger by the wrecked vessel, when describing the disaster this morning to a "Star" reporter. "She struck at about 11.30. The whole thing was very sudden. The night was dark and a heavy squall was just passing over. Without the slightest warning the steamer struck suddenly once, and then seemed to make a succession of small bumps for a matter of seconds, and then she came to rest firmly at the bow end while the stern was obviously in deep water. "No. there was no sign of panic. Naturally there being a number of women and children there was considerable anxiety, and at first a certain amount of excitement. You must remember it was pitch dark, and no one knew exactly what was going to happen. "Rockets were s_ent up to attract the ] attention of anything in the vicinity. I and the noise was deafening for a time. These rockets go off with a loud detona- ] tion, and make a second explosion in the air, where they burst into stars. "Of course, the wireless operator was busy all the time sending out calls. A rather peculiar circumstance connected with the wireless was that when we struck we could not get into touch witli the Auckland radio station, so I understand, owing to interference caused by the intervening high Coromandel range of hills. We had no difficulty in calling up the Chatham Islands, who relayed our messages to Wellington, and the latter to Auckland. "I should like to pay a tribute to the splendid efforts of Captain Norbury. his officers. the crew, and everyone else on board, after we struck, to do what they could for the passengers. " Three boats were immediately launched, and two others were held in readiness. There was a good swell on at the time, as there always is in easterly or north-easterly weather: but where we were lvinir we seemed to be sheltered from tiie worst of it. and the boats lloated alongside without inconvenience or danger. '•'The water was hissing- among tiie rocks upon which the ship lay stranded, and the scene was sufficiently trying to make one think, but fortunately there was not a heavy sea where we lay. "Lifebelts were placed in readiness, but I did not see them put on. To show you how the ship's people looked after us, I may say that immediately after we struck hot coffee and tea were served, and from that on there was always something warm to drink. It may seem a small tiling, but it was very ! welcome. and most cheering. Mr. O'Brien, the obliging chief steward, and his staff deserve much credit for their attention to v?. '•We had breakfast next morning .served just as usual. But that time, however, the steamer had assumed a decided dip owing to the falling tide, and the saloon 1 tables were on a very awkward angle. but nevertheless the meal was served 'just as though nothing had happened. "As far as i know there is no one now living on Slipper Island. At one time 1 believe there was a family there, but T believe the place is now leased by a Mercury Bay man. who runs down occasionally in his launch. "The Northern ("jimpany's auxiliary scow Motu, which was in the 11,ly. picked |up our distress signals, and she arrived .a the wreck a; about half-past one. .Morse signals were exchanged with the lamp, and the scow continued to stand l>y. It «as very cheerful to see her lights when she was making for us. "During the hours of darkness there was naturally a certain amount of anxiety on board, and at about four a.m. the falling tide left the vessel at an angle that was making it difficult to set along tiie dec!;, but it was really all very prosaic for a wreck. "No. there was no singing whatever, which was rather surprising, as we had 'a theatrical company on ioard. I did suggest that they might give us a song, but none of lliem seMued very keen about it. and so we were a silent ship. "Yes, there was water in the hold, but none whatever in the saloon. "As you know we were in direct wireless communication with the Ngapuhi all the time. When she arrived she anchored about a mile oft". She sent a boat to us to find out what the arrangements were for transhipping the passengers, and in a very short while we were all taken over in the Mannia's boats, there being five boat-loads of us. '"On the trip up to Auckland the Manaia's passengers got up an address expressing their admiration for Captain Norbury's conduct, and this will l>c forwarded to him. I should again like to say how highly we appreciated all that was done for* us on the Manaia and al-o on the Ngnpuhi."