“ICEBERG AHEAD!”

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 May 1939, Page 7

“ICEBERG AHEAD!”

THRILLS FOR ROYALTIES

LINER’S ENGINES REVERSED

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, May 13

The prudence of the commander s keeping the Empress of Australia at a standstill for many hours was shown when the fog lifted' momentarily, last evening, to reveal the liner encircled by icebergs and icefloes. The King was able to take snapshots of great icebergs, over which waves were dashing close to the ship. The Queen, who is enjoying the trip, saw one of the largest icebergs during the tour right ahead. It necessitated reversing the ship’s engines. The Queen remarked: “it is almost like being Arctic explorers.” Three lookouts are posted, one in the forecastle head, one in the crowsnest, and one on the flying bridge. Six officers are assisting lire watch on the bridge. The time of Their Majesties’ arrival at Quebec is now uncertain because of tlie delays. The Empress of Australia is still slowed up, and it is unlikely that she will arrive on schedule. She was 260 miles south-east of Cape Race at midnight (ship’s time). Messages reaching London dwell on the warmth of the welcome which awaits Their Majesties. The route along which Their Majesties will drive from Wolfe’s Cove dock to the legislative buildings has been, elaborately decorated. Magnificent decorations adorn public and private buildings in Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa. One of the most significant ceremonies of the tour will be on May 19, when the King will give the Royal Assent in person to a number of bills ot Parliament at Ottawa. Among the measures which will become law on this occasion of historic interest in the constitutional story of the great British Commonwealth ot Nations, is a bill giving effect to the ■provisions of the trade agreement between Canada and the United States

SURROUNDED BY ICE-FLOES. (Recd. May 15, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, May 14.

The liner, after progressing five miles during the night, through fog, reached clear weather, but was entirely surrounded by ice-floes, which were bumping her sides, while the escorts followed along the sea-lane in the Empress of Australia’s wake. The Queen said: “I am sorry for the people who have travelled miles to see us.”

Captain Meikle changed the course, to avoid thicker ice, and the liner encountered more fog, through which she proceeded fitfully. The purser conducted Divine service, because Captain Meikle could not leave the bridge. Their Majesties joined in the hymns, which the Queen chose. Special prayers were offered for the Royal Family, Lord Tweedsmuir, Mr Roosevelt, Empire legislators, and sailors.

ARRIVAL DELAYED.

QUEBEC, May 13. ' Because! of fog and. ice the arrival of the Empress of Australia has been delayed, necessitating a change in the plans for Ihe reception of Their Majesties. The liner is not excepted to arrive before late on Monday night at the earliest, instead of in the morning. It is believed that Their Majesties will prefer to remain on the ship and disembark on Tuesday morning. The Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) told the Commons at Ottawa that the functions at Quebec City will be carried out on Tuesday instead 1 of Monday, while the Montreal visit will be advanced to Wednesday, after which, to adjust the schedule, practically one full day will be cut from the visit to Ottawa. The original programme at Ottawa of Wednesday, excepting the State dinner will be dropped, but the functions on other days will be continued.

LANDING ON WEDNESDAY.

(Received May 15, 10 a.m.) QUEBEC, May 14.

Reports reaching Quebec state that the Empress of Australia is still held up by, fog and ice, approximately 250 miles east of Cape Race, and would not arrive before Wednesday. It is understood that the ship is in the same position as she was yesterday. It is not known what changes will be made in the Royal itinerary, to circumvent the delay. An official announcement states that the Empress of Australia, at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, was still 1080 miles east of Quebec. FULL SPEED AHEAD. (Recd. May 15, 2 p.m.). QUEBEC, May 14. The special representative of the Australian Associated Press aboard the Empress of Australia radioed at 3 p.m. E.S.T., that the ship was proceeding full steam ahead. It is estimated here that her position was then 1000 miles from Quebec, and she is not expected to arrive before 5 p.m., E.S.T., on Wednesday.

MALE OR FEMALE?

(Received May 15, 9 a.m.)

NEW YORK, May 14

The Canadian Press representative aboard the Empress of Australia states that the liner mad'e only one good run during the day, when the fog lifted for 20 minutes. She had made only 35 miles by mid-afternoon. Once, when the lookout sighted an iceberg directly ahead, the engines were quickly reversed. Their Majesties, on the promenade deck, were able to see through the fog the whole floe of bergs. ThenMajesties, with a blanket wrapped around them, due to the sudden change in temperature, stood by the rail and watched. The Queen remarked that it was like being in Arctic waters. She provided a subject for debate by inquiring whether an iceberg was “he or she.” Nobody present could reply with authority. CANADIAN RIVALRY. (Received May 15, 9 a.m.) QUEBEC, May 14. Local citizens, who had drilled for

days for their part in the reception of Tlieir Majesties, were greatly disappointed when it was announced that the ship would be a day late, but the disappointment was greatly mitigated when it was learned that the Ottawa programme was the only one likely to be cut; in fact, there was some gratification that Ottawa was likely to claim a lesser share in the proceedings. It is no longer a secret that, in many quarters, it is felt that the capital and officialdom is claiming an over-large- share of Royal attention. Many people in social circles felt that they had betn edged out of the banquet or the drawing room, in order to make room for politicians or their wives.

This view found open expression in a leader in the ■'Chronicle-Telegraph,” Quebec’s only English-language newspaper, which deplored' the influx of visitors from Ottawa, to Quebec, contending that since one of the purposes of the Royal visit was to permit Their Majesties to come in contact with as many of their subjects as possible, it. would; be' better if Ottawa personages “reserve the gratification, of their social ambitions,” until Their Majesties reach Ottawa.

RETURN OF H.M.S. REPULSE

LONDON. May 13

The battle-cruiser Repulse has arrived at Southampton. Several ratings were injured when trying to secure a grating which came adrift in a heavy sea.