IN PERILOUS WATERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2529, 2 August 1915, Page 6

IN PERILOUS WATERS

TAINUI IN SUBMARINE WAR ZONE COURSE ALTERED TWICE

Most of the direct liners have now to take extraordinary precautions against attack from German submarines when clearing the English coast for an overseas port. The Tainui, which arrived from London on' Saturday evening, had no out-of-the-way experiences, but it is interesting to note liow rigidly every precaution is taken to provide against possiblo disaster from the enemy's submarine pirates. Hero is the purser's story of the first tense few days of the voyage out: — "The Tainui" (says JVIr. L. J. Wahlers), "left London on June 12 with somo 150 passengers, ail more or less of destruction by a German submarine; but had many of tho passengers, known what minute and precise precautions were to be adopted by Captain T. Moffatt and his officers much of the initial anxiety would probably have been allayed. At this critical time it is no matter of light consideration to set out on a sea voyage from England and pass through the 'danger zono' infested by German undersea, pirates.

Significant Preparations. - "On the evening of the day of sailing tho Tainui was obliged to anchor at the mouth of the Thames, owing to tho Admiralty order that no ship was to pass Dover in the night. Opportunity was taken whilst at anchor to muster all passengers and crew for boat drill. Each individual was instructed where his boat was, what to do when he arrived there, and was also given instruction in the. fitting-oil of lifebelts. The boats were tested and swung out, then lowered to the level of the saloon deck, where they were of easy access, and where there would be no, delay in launching them in case of emergency.,.

Captain Moffatt left nothing to chance, being determined not to be caught unawares. The bridge and chartroom were barricaded with sandbags, deck lights were extinguished, saloon and cabin lights masked, the 4.7 in. loaded and manned by. experienced gunners, watchmen posted aft, forward, and amidships; in fact, there seemed to bo watchmen everywhere.

In the Danger Zone. At daybreak on June 13 anchor was raised, and the Tainui set out to traverse the "danger zone" on her. passage to tho southern seas. For a couple of days the tension was high, and passengers were much concerned as to the possibility of encountering a German submarine. This anxiety was not altogether unfounded, for early on tho morning of June 13 a patrol boat warned the Tainui to alter her course as submarines were active in the neighbourhood. At midnight the same day another message, this time by wireless, was received to alter the course again. Until the "danger zone" was passed, Captain Moffatt and his officers did without sleep, and kept up a long and ceaseless vigil. Few of the passengers slept much during the initial throe nights of the journey, and some went to bed with their iifebelts already adjusted.

It was not until after tlireo days that any precautions were relaxed, the boats raised and swung in, and' the deck lights allowed. Passengers now soon recovered from their nervousness, and felt nothing .but the heartiest admiration for tho captain and officers, -to whose arduous labours their safety was due.