RESCUE FROM TAHITI

Hawera Star, Volume L, 27 August 1930, Page 9

RESCUE FROM TAHITI

FURTHER GRAPHIC STORIES GRATITUDE OF PASSENGERS TRIBUTE TO SHIP’S STAFF (United Press Association—By ffilectrio Telegraph Copyright.) Received 12 noon to-day. HONOLULU, Aug. 26. William Griffiths, of Melbourne, described the tense hours awaiting rescue aboard the 'Tahiti, when he arrived by the Ventura this morning. Passengers, when (crowded! in the lounge and' expecting momentarily to enter the boats, maintained good spirits, singing and listening to radio. An outward calm masked their inward anxiety, but not one cast of hysterics occurred. “When spending two hours in. the boats after leaving the Tahiti in a somewhat, rough sea, it felt as if we were rowing to Rarotango and it was a wonderful feeling when- the Ventura appeared,” said the narrator. “The cheery smile with which the assistant purser welcomed us was truly marvellous. •’ ’

All the passengers interviewed give the highest praise of the officers (and crew of the Tahiti and Ventura. The sum of £7O was collected for the Tahiti’s engineers and stewards. •Messrs Fred Walker, William Griffiths, Harold Rabling, J. J. Wool and Sir Hugh Allen are a committee to purchase gifts at Honolulu for presentation to the Ventura’s officers and crew.

Mr B. T. Tsgrig, of Mount Isaac, Queensland, who was enroute to Russia, said it was an interesting experience to look back upon, but was an apprehensive one at the time. The officers and crew were on the job every minute and meals served regularly as if nothing had happened. The only hardship was that the lights were out temporarily and the lack of radio which was later repaired. The cool, efficient conduct- -of the officers 1 inspired the confidence of every passenger.' !Mr Fred Walker, of Melbourne, heard a noise at 4.30 from the engine room. Shortly' afterwards the passengers wore notified to don lifebelts Mr Walker inspected the engine room and found the engineers working up to their necks in water in repairing the damage. He declared that the engine crew’s conduct was wonderful. They worked steadily for 60 hours trying to keep the water in cheek. After the Ventura' was sighted every boat was manned! and all were afloat within 12 minutes. They' spent an hour and a-half on the sea, all being transferred without even a wetting. The most pleased passenger was a thirteen-year-old boy, lan Lochhead, of Mildura, Australia, who enjoyed sleeping on deck. He was thrilled by the tr a lister in the boats. Most of his clothes went down with hisi family’s 10 trunks, but lan looks forward to getting a new outfit in San Francisco. “Mother always said it was hard to get me up in the mornings, but I got our of bed so fast that I surprised myself,”- he said.