IN ENGINEROOM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 46, 23 February 1940, Page 10

IN ENGINEROOM.

"BEHAVIOUR FIRST CLASS." TRIBUTE TO YOUNGER RATINGS. I "Everything went as it should have gone," said Lieutenant (E.) J. A. R. Abbott when discussing tKe part played by the engine room in the epic battle. All signals came down without interruption and without any breakdown in the telegraph. No damage was done to engine-room equipment and there were no engine-room casualties. Throughout the engagement the men were magnificent, despite the fact that many of the younger ratings had not previously been in the boiler room under full power. Their behaviour under these trying circumstances when they were unable to see What was going on was first class. Instructions came four or five times during the engagement to "make smoke."' There was no hitch. It was difficult to say what speed the Achilles was doing, said Lieutenant Abbott, because the ship was altering course so often. He estimated that she was possibly doing thirty knots at various times. Some fifty minutes after the action began the order came to clap on all possible speed, and, "We gave her the works," he commented with a smile. When there was a lull the men were served with hot drinks, and throughout their spell of duty every care was taken to see that the men had refreshments.