“GHOST SHIPS”

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 September 1938, Page 10

“GHOST SHIPS”

RUSTING IN THAMES. ! LONDON, August G. Passengers on liners coming into, the port of London have long been intrigued at the 'tight of three rusting ships, flying, Franco’s, red. and yellow flag, which lie idle in a corner of the East India Docks. This is their story. For more than a year 20 Spaniards,. 12 men, six women and two children, have lived aboard these vessels. Tied to the masts are three sheets ofi printed..Pt'per wjtli. the. seal of the British courts forbidding the ships lobe moved. Over 12 months ago Arantzazu Mendi, Alu Mendi and Igotz Mendi, 80;,0.0.0 -tons of Basque shipping, sailed into London Docks only to find that Franco, conqueror of Bilbao, claimed ownership. The Spanish Government disputed the claim and the ships remained impounded to await the decision of the Courts.

Gradually the crews have disappeared, some to take.up arms for the defence of Republican Spain, others to fight fur Franco. Only 12, the captains, chief officers, engineers and stewards .are left out of 300 men. With tlie skeleton crew of the ghost ships are five wives, little Camilla, aged throe, who runs round the dirty debris-littered deck of Alu Mundi on a tricycle, and the boy Jocada, aged six, who swings carelessly on. the tattered ropes and sometimes falls into the water to be fished up all smiles and proud of his escapade. Then there is 17-yoar-old Suzette, daughter of the chief officer, oliveSkinned and pretty. Eighteen months ago .she shouldered a gun and fought before Bilbao. Now she washes and cooks, with the other women, for her father and his copipan-iens.