N.Z. SEAMEN

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1942, Page 4

N.Z. SEAMEN

Torpedoed in Arctic SERVING ON “EDINBURGH” (Rec. 9.0) LONDON, June 13. Five New Zealanders were serving as ordinary seamen on H.M.S. Edinburgh, which was sunk by a torpedo in Arctig regions. They are S. N. Eraithewaite, W. H. Walbran (both of Mount Albert, Auckland), J. L. Gaelic, T. F. Southee and B. Philpott (all of Wellington). Seaman Braithewaito has returned to England, but the others are still in Russia, waiting to return. Seaman Braithewaite said: “I was very lucky to escape when the Edinburgh was torpedoed. I was at an action station alongside an ack-ack gun. I had been there ten minutes relieving a man who went to mess, in which he and many others were killed when the torpedo struck. I would have been k’lled too if I had not been at the action station. The Edinburgh had escorted a convoy to Russia and was returning with it, scouting some distance away for pack ice when the submarine' attacked, scoring hits with two torpedoes. Seaman Southee had a lucky escape. He suddenly found himself swimming in water in the mess. Fortunately he saw a torch shining down the hatch and swam to it. He was covered with oil and unrecognisable when I saw him a quarter of an hour later. I did not see the other New Zealanders who were on different parts of the ship, but know they are safe and well.”

“Although heavily damaged, the Edinburgh did not sink till British (destroyers had arrived. We had :: hell of a time for two days, having no proper food or sleep, although Ihe weather was very bitter. We were expecting dive-bombers, and submarines to attack any tinre, for there was no darkness during the sun period. Eventually three German destroyers attacked and fired three torpedoes from a range of five miles, but one hit amidships. There was a terrific explosion. The ship heeled, but still kept firing, damaging one German and hitting another amidships, causing >it to blow up. We donned lifebelts and prepared Carley floats, but realised there was little chance of surviving more than five minutes if we took to the water in that latitude. (But suddenly the warships arrived and took up aboard. A destroyer torpedoed her, after which she sank gracefully.

“I was in Russia five weeks, and then luckily I got a passage on a destroyer to England. The other New Zealanders may be there for another month. I have never seen weather conditions like we found in the Arctic. The Edinburgh was on n e followed by a German' aircraft, but a snowstorm sprang up. They were unable to see us, although they flew nearly mast-high. This was not surprising when it- is realised that the look-out man at top-mast could see the aircraft after him, but the snow blotted out the ship under him. We have the greatest admiration for the boys of the Merchant Navy. They are doing a grand job of work, which -s not fully recognised.” Seaman Braithewaite was delighted to learn on his arrival in London that the New Zealand University has awarded him a two years’ travelling scholarship in commerce, which he is taking up after the war. He is a member’ of the. B Scheme, going for a commission probably after further experience as a rating.