A NEW TANKER

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 58, 6 September 1937, Page 10

A NEW TANKER

TORNUS ARRIVES

MODERN APPLIANCES

A fine example of modern, practice in the construction of tankers for the carrying of motor fuel in bulk, the tanker Tornus arrived in Wellington this morning from San Pedro, via Auckland, and berthed at the Burnham Wharf. The Tornus, a motor-tanker of 8050 tons, was built last year, and is owned by Sarawak Oilfields, Ltd. This, is her first visit to Wellington. While she was in Auckland last Friday the ship's first birthday was celebrated in fitting style by some members of her complement. Among the modern features of this fine vessel are such aids, to navigation as electrical sounding, direction-find-ing, long and short-wave telegraphy, and clear-view screen. The officers are European, but the crew are practically all Chinese. Captain J. H. Armfield, master of the Tornus, was formerly in, command of the steam tanker Ampullaria, which visited Wellington on several occasions. One of the notable incidents in his career was the rescue of two aviators who were attempting the first non-stop flight to India. At that time Captain Armfield was in command of the tanker Donax, and was taking his ship through the Persian Gulf. It was on May 22, 1927, that Captain Armfield observed distress signals flying from an island lighthouse. He came in as close as possible, and sent a boat to investigate. When the boat returned it had two airmen, Flight-Lieutenants C. R. Carr and L. E. M. Gillman, R.A.F., on board. They had dropped into the sea the previous night, and had been rescued in -the morning by the light-house-keeper. The airmen, who had spent the night on their upturned plane, were to be congratulated on their lucky escape from death, for the sea was infested with sharks. When they were forced down between Bunder Abbas and Cape Jask their machine turned over, and both were catapulted into the water. They swam back to the aeroplane, climbed on board, and saw a light burning over the water in the distance. They hailed the light, but were not heard. Next morning- they were picked up by the lighthousekeeper after being eight hours in the water. The arrival of the Donax brought them welcome release from their island prison.