ANDES’ FAST TRIP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21850, 22 October 1945, Page 2

ANDES’ FAST TRIP

ATTEMPT AT RECORD

CONDITIONS SATISFACTORY

GISBORNE PASSENGERS Many families in Gisborne are now expectantly awaiting the arrival of the Andes, which includes among her passengers several men from this part of the country and they will be gratified to know that conditions on the vessel appear to be satisfactory and it the men are not delivered home in record time it will not be the fault of the captain.

Flying Officer J. L. Richards, son of Mrs. M Richards, Haronga road, Gisborne, who has been a member of the R.N.Z.A.F. since 1941, is aboard the Andes. Writing on September 27 when the ship was nearing Cape Bon, on the African coast, 1 he said: “We have averaged nearly 500 nautical miles since we sailed. Yesterday we made 510 nautical miles. The skipper is put to break the record from Southampton to Melbourne, it is said. “I am now in what was once an upper gun turret, and find it rather difficult to write, what with the vibration of the ship and.the gusts of wind. “Wo sailed on Sunday, September 23, at 3.15 p.m,, and had a good view of Southamuton waters and the Isle of Wight. It was not long then till dusk so we saw nothing of land until Finnisterrc Light came into view about 10 the following night. Next day we travelled in sight of Spain and Portugal, close enough to make out towns on the coast.” On the following night the Andes passed through ihe Straits of Gibraltar, but Flying Officer Richards comments it was rather late and most of the men. were asleep so did not see the “Roc’.:.” Along North African Coast “Yesterday (September 2G) and today we have been travelling along the north coast of Africa so close to the shore that it has been quite easy to make out noints of interest,he continued. “We are now opposite Cape Bon and there are quite a few wrecks of ships to be seen, a reminder of the North African campaign.” ' Continuing two days later (September 29). Flying Office-- Richards said: “Yesterday we passed _ Cape Bon, where Rommel made his last stand and a grim looking place it is. We also saw Bizerta. the French naval base. Later, lust before dusk, we were off. the south of Pantcleria Island, which after a terrific bombardment surrendered to a flight sergeant, who force-landed in a Swordfish.”