ON SINKING SHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 202, 27 August 1930, Page 7

ON SINKING SHIP.

TAHITI PASSENGERS.

JBtrange Emotions in Face of

Grave Peril.

VIVID REFLECTIONS.

'(United P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright)

(Received 10 a.m.) HONOLULU, August 26. The arrival here of the Ventura, with a contingent of the passengers of the ill-fated Tahiti aboard, roused great interest. The most pleased passenger was 13-year-old lan Lockliead, of Mildura, Australia, who enjoyed sleeping on the deck and was thrilled by the transfer in the boats. Most of his clothes went down with the family's ten trunks, but lan looks forward to getting a new outfit in gan Francisco. 'Mother always said it was hard to get me up in the morning, but I got out ■of bed so fast that I surprised myself," lie said, referring to the morning on which the Tahiti's shaft broke. All the passengers who were interviewed bestowed the highest praise on the officers and crew of the Tahiti and the Ventura. A sum of £70 was collected for the Tahiti's engineers and stewards. Mr. F. Walker, Mr. W. Griffiths, Sir Hugh Allen, Mr. Harold Rabling and Mr. J. J. Weil formed a com'mittee to purchase gifts in Honolulu as a mark of appreciation of the Ventura's officers and crew. Mr. William Griffiths, of Melbourne, described the tense hours aboard the Tahiti while awaiting rescue.' The passengers, when they were crowded in the lounge, expecting momentarily to have to enter the boats, maintained their good spirits by singing 'and listening-in to the radio. Their outward calm masked their inward anxiety. There was not one' case of hysterics. It was a wonderful feeling when the Ventura appeared. Tranship Difficulties. Mr. Fred Walker, of Melbourne, said he heard a noise at 4.30 a.m. from the engine room. Shortly afterwards he was notified to don his lifebelt. Mr. Walker inspected the engine room and fouiid the engineers working up to their necks in water repairing the damage. He declared that the engine crews' conduct was wonderful. They worked steadily for 60 hours trying to keep the water in check.

After the Ventura was sighted every boat was manned arid afloat within .12 minutes. They spent an hour and a half on the sea. All. were transferred without even a wetting.

Mr. B. T. Isgrig, of Mount Isaac, Queensland, who was en route 'for Russia, said that it was an interesting experience to look back upon, but he was* apprehensive at the time. The officers and crew were on the job every minute,-and meals were served as regularly as if nothing had happened. The only ; hardship was the; failure, of ■ the lights and : the temporary lack; of 'radio/ which was repaired later. "But how we cheered the Penybryn when she hove in sight and also the Ventura next day, aftdr ; having been called three time 3 to the boats. The cool and efficient conduct of" the officers inspired confidence in every passenger," he added.