UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 240, 7 September 1928, Page 7

UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE.

VOLCANIC DUST AND FUMES.

CREW’S NARROW ESCAPE,

SUVA, Aug. 28. Few crews havo had such a narrow escape from a suffocating death as that of the steamer Emlyman, which arrived in Suva on Friday last from Singapore. When interviewed the captain said he never wished to run _so close to eternity again. When his vessel was about 200 miles east of Suva .and 30 odd miles north of the island of Flores, he met a weird experience. Just an hour before dawn the ship ran into a fog-like density. But when daylight came, or was due according to the ship’s time, the darkness increased-in-stead of lightening up. All the while a light breeze camo off the land. The foe turned out to be a heavy dust storm, dust so fine and impalpable tlia"t it penetrated everywhere and finally lay about two inches deep all over the ship and even in the cabins and engine room. In about an hour’s time a strong sulphurous smell enveloped the ship, and gradually the fumes increased so much that breathing became ,a difficulty. Men rushed about seeking some corner where the air might be purer, and Captain Maber said lie could only remain on tlio bridge by wearing goggles and covering his mouth and nose with a soaked handkerchief. Gradually the air grew denser and conditions more ominous. He began to consider the possibilities of his crew succumbing and the steamer being found months lator with a crew of dead men and a hopeless derelict. His crew thought “the last day” had come and many gave up hope of surviving. But at length, after three hours of agony, the air cleared, the sun shone again, and the men breathed freely. It was a most awesome experience and one that none of the ship’s company ever want to have again.