DRAMATIC TRIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 209, 5 September 1939, Page 8

DRAMATIC TRIP.

LINER QUEEN MARY

" Blacked Out" On Voyage

To America.

REFUGEES AND GOLD ABOARD

United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 4. The British liner Queen Mary arrived at 11.'35 p.m., her passengers including the hanker, Mr. J.' P. Mm- gan, and hundreds of American war refugees. The Associated Press states that the Queen Mary was "blacked-out" when she ran from .Southampton. The cabin ports were screened and sealed, and the promenade windows closed and blackened. Passengers were forbidden to use the upper decks after sunset, and urged to remain in their own accommodation.

The ship's cinema, gymnasium, dance hall, nursery, library and most of the public rooms were used as dormitories. A few blue lights provided the only illumination behind the promenade deckrt and windows were blackened. Even inside and accommodation lights were heavily screened. Northern Course Followed. The Queen Mary followed an extreme northern course to avoid possible interception. She was convoyed by two destroyers from Cape Knee to Ambrose Light.

Many passengers lined (lie rails to greet the Stat tie of Liberty through the dawn, singing the American Nationul Anthem.

The ship's hold was loaded with 4 J.">i)o.oou dollars' worth of gold.

The passengers were calm, and there was no panic caused bv the announcement of the declaration of war. Thev listened to the King's speech over the radio, and Americans and Britons alike stood when "God Save the King" w.is played. Foreign-born American citizens greeted with enthusiasm the announcement of the reported capture of the Bremen, and joined in condemnation of the sinking of the Athenia, da claring that America was thereby brought nearer participation in the war.

The Cunard Line have announced hat the liner was originally scheduled to sail on Wednesday, but will remain in port indefinitely. Incidentally, she was docked only a few yards from the Norniandie, and it is believed that neither will risk the open sea until the convoy system has been perfected.