LOST DINNER HOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 82, 7 April 1933, Page 2

LOST DINNER HOUR.

WATERSIDERS IMPRISONED. GOAL SLIDE IN BUNKERS. Seven waterside workers engaged in trimming coal into the bunkers of the steamer Gallic at Wellington on Wednesday lost their lunch hour and were kept confined below for two or three hours owing to a coal slide which blocked their means of egress from the bunker. The Gallic, which was almost ready to sail for London, was completing coaling operations, when, shortly before mid-day, a stack of coal which was being trimmed from the hatchway into the port wing of the hold, started to slide. The slack coal soon filled tip the opening into the space where the men, were trimming and completely blocked the way out. The men were in no kind of danger, as they had a fair space behind the coal barrier, and they were able to converse with their mates on deck through a ventilator. There was far too much coal for them to.be able, to dig..their way out, so the others of the coaling gang set to work and discharged some tons of coal from the hold on to the ship'* deck, working at the barrier for some two or three hours until an openin" was made, through which the imprisoned trimmers made their exit. The men were little the worse for their experience, except that they had missed their dinners. Soup and other refreshments were provided by the Gallic's stewards.