THE SHIPS SAIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 92, 20 April 1938, Page 17

THE SHIPS SAIL

WATERFRONT MAGIC

INSPIRING FAREWELL

The moon had not risen, but the night was comparatively calm • and very beautiful when the convoy of ships bearing New Zealand returned soldiers on their good-will mission to Australia sailed from Port Nicholson last evening. Thousands gathered on the waterfront to give the returned soldiers an inspiring farewell, and the scene was one that will live long in the memory of those privileged to see it.

Long before 8 p.m., when the ships were scheduled-to sail, members of the contingent and their friends and well-wishers gathered at the wharf, and as the time of departure drew near the scene became one of wild enthusiasm. The centre of interest was the Maunganui. and Monowai, both brilliantly lighted, and thickly crowded by cheerful "Diggers." The scene on the wharf before the two vessels was indescribable. Thousands of person^ both young and old, surged to and'"fro,' the iioise ■ ■ was almost deafening Taut - always' cheerful; the Port Nicholson Silver Band added a musical note by accompanying the! singing of war-time songs,'.and overj and above everything was the black I sky with a few twinkling stars showing.

The members of the contingent: were, in the main, aboard the ships before the major portion of the crowd collected, but individual farewell scenes were frequent until the last

available moment. Those who were at the ships' rails or in the rigging kept up a constant interchange of banter and words of farewell with those on the wharf, and as the minutes passed away the ships and the shore became more closely linked with hundreds of vari-coloured streamers. Shouting, laughter, whistles, and snatches of music filled the air as the vast crowd surged to and fro in the highest of good humours, in marked contrast to the veiled sadness that prevailed when the men on the ships sailed away over twenty years ago. THE SHIPS CAST OFF. About 8 o'clock the Maunganui moved out from the wharf and made a beautiful picture as she swung into the stream. Her single funnel, masts, and rigging were brilliantly lit, and her long hull showed plainly against the lights of Oriental Bay. The crowd immediately surged along the wharf to get nearer to the Monowai, but the throng was so dense that a great deal of movement was not possible. As the Monowai manoeuvred in the stream the Wahine, which was delayed beyond the usual sailing time of the inter-island express, moved away from her wharf and, gathering speed quickly, passed the flagship of the convoy in the basin. The Awatea also cast off from Queen's Wharf and moved quietly out on the calm waters of the harbour. Then the Monowai went astern, and a few minutes latei the cheering crowd was delighted with the impressive spectacle of four bril-liantly-lit ships silhouetted against the dark hills around the harbour. The Maunganui slowly manoeuvred into position as leader of the convoy and the ships moved down the harbour while the crowd hurried along the long reach of Pipitea Wharf to see the last of the contingent. Those fortunate enough to possess cars hurried to them and before the ships had moved far hundreds of headlamps could be seen guiding eager motorists around the marine parade to see the last of the ships. A slight breeze was blowing and:the billowing smoke from the funnels of the ships moved slowly away from the brilliant circles of light to be lost in the darkness; the whole making a picture like a scene from fairyland. HUNDREDS OF WATCHERS FROM SAYS. Hundreds gathered at Seatoun to see the ships pass out of the harbour and hundreds more watched at Lyall Bay and Island Bay to admire their stately progress into Cook Strait. The vessels passed in line, the Wahine 'drawing away on her journey to Lyttelton and ' the Awatea cutting through the water and leaving the two troopships far behind. The brilliant lighting of all of the vessels made them plainly visible for. some time as they carried their passengers outward towards friends and comrades overseas.