"THAT'S HARD."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 251, 24 October 1939, Page 3

"THAT'S HARD."

ATHENIA SURVIVOR.

ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND.

DUNEDIN WOMAN'S EXPERIENCE

Wiry, despite her years, Mrs. A. Oliphant, of Dunedin, a survivor of the Athenia disaster, has returned to the Dominion, after an experience which she says she is anxious to forget.

In an open boat crowded with women and children, many of whom were seasick, she spent twelve hours before being rescued, and at one stage, in an effort to keep the 'boat head on to the sea, she took an oar and earned the admiration of those who were less able to help. "I was not able to pull very hard," she admitted, "but I wanted to do something. The boat had no rudder and was tossed about when in the trough of the sea." When the Athenia was struck by a German torpedo, Mrs. Oliphant was in the library. She had had dinner and was reading. Some of the passengers were still in the dining saloon, but a considerable number had gone to bed. Although she had no time to go to her cabin to save any of her effects, ehe remarked that ehe was more fortunate than those who had only their night attire. "Like the others, I escaped with only what I was wearing," ehe added.

While stating that she did not see the submarine which sank the ship, Mrs. Oliphant said that many of the other passengers saw it. Being helpless in a small boat, throughout the night, knowing that an enemy craft was in the x icinitv, was a most trying ordeal. She praised the people who had provided ccmforts and clothing for the survivors when they were landed in Scotland. Mrs. Oliphant said those in authority refused to refund her passage money. She had been told that she would have to wait until the war was over before a refund could be made. "I think that's hard," she added.

Several times during the interview Mrs. Oliphant spoke under stress and said that when she recalled her experience it upset her. "I want to forget it all as soon as I can," she concluded.