ATLANTIC EXPERIENCES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1939, Page 3

ATLANTIC EXPERIENCES

N.Z. PASSENGER’S STORY. AUCKLAND October 16. To see an escorting destroyer sink a submarine by depth charges only four hours after they had left port was the experience of passengers on a large liner which crossed the Atlantic to Canada less than a fortnight after war was declared. Among the passengers were Mr and Mrs W. Patterson of Auckland, who have returned after a holiday visit to Britain. Mr Patterson said' that when the ship sailed for Canada she was completely blacked out, and carried a I'arge naval gun as well as an antiaircraft gun. Before leaving port she was joined by another large liner and two destroyers. “We certainly felt much safer with one of these fast, destroyers on each side of the liners.” said Mr Patterson; “but about four hours out from port the excitement started. I was on deck about 7 p.m., when a submarine was sighted. The destroyer on our port side turned round very quickly, and chased the submarine. We could see her slow down and drop three depth charges. “The effect of these three explosions on the liner was terrific. The ship vibrated, and many passengers, some of whom were dining, thought we had been struck by a torpedo. They made a dash for the boats with their lifebelts.

“We had about 130 survivors of the Athenia on board 1 , making their second attempt to get home,” continued Mr Patterson. “Most of them thought, they had been torpedoed a second time. The destroyer reported, however, that she had sunk the submarine, as a large amount, of oil was seen on top of the water before she left the spot to come alongside us again.”

Mr Patterson said the destroyer left at daylight next morning. The liner continued alone at a speed of about 22 knots, with all lifeboats swung out over the side ready for any emergency.

“Everything went, well until the afternoon, when we were out in the Atlantic,” continued Mr Patterson. “A large black aeroplane appeared coming towards the liner’s stern. It flew over the ship and then turned and flew over the gun crew aft. The gunners trained the gun on the machine, which had a crew of three, and carried machine-guns and bombs. After flying over the ship three times the airmen signalled to the gunners not to lire. Then they signalled to the bridge, asking who we were, and where we were bound. When they got our answer they dipped their wing and made off toward the land', much to our relief. Not until they dipped their wing did we know it was a friendly machine,” added Mr Patterson. “Until we told them who we were, they did not know we were British. Seeing our guns they probably thought we were an armed raider, as we- were flying no Hags, and the ship was painted all grey.” The remainder of the trip to Canada was peaceful: but the tension was not relaxed, as many of the passengers, particularly the Athenians survivors never undressed and carried their lifebelts with them. There was nothing for the people to do except sit in Ilt<> lounge and look al each other. The gun crews were always on duty. One gun was tested by'firing it at an iceberg 'when the liner approached the Canadian coast.