FIRST ATHENIA'S SURVIVORS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 October 1939, Page 8

FIRST ATHENIA'S SURVIVORS

MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN AT AUCKLAND SIX HOURS IN CROWDED OPEN BOAT By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. The first of the survivors of the Athenia disaster to reach New Zealand, Mrs. T. Newcombe, an IrishCanadian, with her family of two children, Clive and Jean, arrived at Auckland. With the tragedy of the liner’s loss still fresh in her memory, Mrs. Newcombe felt nothing but relief at reaching a haven where the war has not the same sharp effect on life. “There was no panic when orders were given to man the lifeboats on the stricken Athenia,” said Mrs. Newcombe. “Everyone had been dulled by the shock and the work of placing them in the open boats was just like moving sheep.” She recalled that for six hours she with her two children was in a crowded boat which pitched and swung in the heavy Atlantic swell, its position being shown by the use of flares. The children showed little fear at the time of the explosion or during the harassing hours on the open sea. “They were very good,” said Mrs. Newcombe proudly. “In fact, I could not help feeling surprised at them.” The Norwegian motorship Knute Nelson, which arrived at the scene some hours after the sinking, picked up the lifeboat containing the party and stood by to render further assistance. When all hope of further rescue was lost, the vessel headed for Galway, After spending some days there the party joined a ship for Glasgow and a few days later were able to contact with the Duchess of Atholl at Liverpool for the Atlantic crossing. Mrs. Newcombe, commenting on the denials that a shot had been fired at the stricken liner, said one shot, a light shell, was fired in an attempt to bring down the Athenia’s wireless equipment. The journey from Britain was made by the family to join Mr. Newcombe, who has been in New Zealand for some time. They will reside in Wellington.