SAW EXPLOSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1940, Page 11

SAW EXPLOSION.

SEAMAN'S EXPERIENCE

TERRIFIC CONCUSSION. HOLD FLOODED IMMEDIATELY. Believed to be the only man on the Niagara who actually saw the explosion, Able Seaman F. D. Harris described his experiences His eyes were still affected by the blast, and had he been two' steps nearer the seat of the explosion he would have had his head crushed by the. concussion. "I had nearly finished my watch and had intended making tea for the watch," he eaid. "I was reaching out to turn the steam off the urn when it was blown out of my hands, i remember feeling more annoyed than alarmed, for with the urn went the teapot, and they finished up about 20 yards away. I was lifted up four feet and then blown flat on my back by the terrific concussion from the explosion, which was only ten yards distant. Had 1 been a few yards further on, round the bulkhead, I would have got the full force of the blast." Mr. Harris said that he picked himself up and headed in : the direction of No. S ■hold. He had a torch which -was necessary as the lights had failed. He flashed this down the hold and saw that already, a minute after the explosion, there was -water making, and the cargo was floating about. He immediately rushed to the bridge and told the captain. The starboard wing of the bridge had been shattered and the windows .blown in, while tlie wheclhouse was almost a shambles, 'it was remarkable that there was no loss c-f life or serious injury.

Like Movie Scene. A graphic description of the scene on tlic bout deck was given 'by Mr. Harris. "If- it had been rehearsed and played by movie actors it couldn't have been more perfect," he said. "There was sonic excitement, naturally, but .no .panic. The passengers stood about until it wa.9 their turn to leave the ship, and the disembarkation, proceeded with extraordinary efficiency. It was hard to believe that this was real life; that this explosion, alarm, rousing of passengers and bhe well-oiled launching of the boats into the calm sea were not make-believe. "There was a haze on the sea. Our boat put back to take aboard a fireman, apparently the last man to leave. It was "nearly 4.30 a.m. and we watchsl the Niagara as ehe slowly settled by the head. At 4.50 the lights went out and tile aliip then became just a shadow in the low mist, with her stem high. Then the shadow disappeared. "Then there was a long wait. Our only discomfort was a cold wind between 5.30 and 5.30. Those who were lightly dressed shivered, and the only food in our 'boat was biscuits and condensed milk—the ordinary iron rations. A tanker, I think—passed close, but apparently did not see our flares, for she did not stop. Work Of Air Force. "Soon after the dawn we saw the first 'plane, then there were three others. The work they did was magnificent. They quartered the sea, flying low and searching in the debris on the eurface for survivors. At times they came as low as 20 feet. The pilots waved to us and we waved 'buck. ' "If was li o'clock before any real assistance came, then we were removed to a veesel in which the passengers were fed. The crew had their first meal at 2 o'clock when they were transferred to the rescue ship wliioli brought them to Auckland."