TALES FROM THE TAHITI.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 August 1930, Page 5

TALES FROM THE TAHITI.

PASSENGERS' GOOD HUMOUR.

ENGINEERS WORKED UP TO NECKS IN WATER. BOY WHO ENJOYED THE ADVENTURE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.-Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) HONOLULU, August 26. Mr William Griffiths, of Melbourne, Who arrived by the Ventura this morning, described the tense hours aboard the Tahiti, when the passengers and crew were awaiting rescue. The passengers, when crowded in the lounge, expecting momentarily to enter the boats, maintained good spirits, singing and listening to the radio. Their outward calm masked inwalrld anxiety, s 'but (there was not one case of hysterics. When spending two hours in the boats after leaving the Tahiti, in a somewhat rough sea,- “I felt,” said Griffiths, “as if were rowing to Rarotonga. It was a wonderful feeling. When the Ventura appeared, the cheery smite with which the assistant purser welcomed us was truly marvellous. ” Ail the passengers who were interviewed gave the highest praise for the officers and crew of the Tahiti and the Ventura. A sum of £7O was collected for the Tahiti’s engineers and stewards. Sir Hugh Allen, Messrs Fred Walker, William Griffiths, Harold Babling and J. J. Wool are a committee who are to purchase gifts in Honolulu as a mark of appreciation of the Ventura’s officers and crew.

Mr B. T. Isgrig, of Ml;. Isaac, Queensland, who is en route fo Eussia, said: It is an interesting experience to look back upon, but I was apprehensive at the time. The officers and crew were on the job every minute. Meals were served as regularly as if nothing had happened. The only hardships were the lights being out temporarily and the lack of radio, which was later repaired. But how we cheered the Penybryn when she hove in sight about midnight, also the Ventura the next day, after being called three times to the boats. The cool and efficient conduct of the officers inspired confidence in every passenger. Mr. Bred Walker, of Melbourne, said he heard a noise at 4.30 a.m. from the engine-room and shortly afterwards the passengers were notified to don lifebelts. Mr Walker inspected the en-gine-room and found the engineers working up to their necks in water, repairing the damage. lie declared that the engine-room crew’s conduct was wonderful. They worked steadily for 60 hours, trying to keep the water checked. After the Ventura was sighted, every boat was manned and afloat within twelve minutes. They spent an hour and a half on the sea, and all were transferred without even a wetting. The most please#! passenger was a 13 year-old boy, lan Loehhcad, of Mildura, Australia, who enjoyed sleeping on the deck. He was thrilled by the transfer in the boats. His clothes mostly went down with the family’s ten 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 morning,” he remarked, “but I got out of bed so fast that I surprised myself.” A Curious finish 10 pt- •