NO PANIC

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 159, 7 June 1939, Page 10

NO PANIC

THETIS SURVIVOR’S STORY. “ALL CALM AND CONFIDENT.” (United Press Association —Bv Electric Teivgraph.—Copy right.) Received June 7, 12.30 p.m. LONDON, .June 6. A Thetis survivor, Leading-Stoker AY. E. Arnold, relating 1 1 is experiences to-day, said that when lie was released there was something amiss. There was shouting. “People shouted Horn the control room ‘Surface,’ and were scrambling from that department and then from the second department into the accommodation' space. “We could nob shut the door lor a few seconds owing to the angle of the boat, but we eventually managed it,.” he said. “The Thetis was then hanging at the steepest angle ever known. No wa'er came into the third chamber. There was no panic and no thought of disaster. All were calm and confident. We joked and felt, sure we would get to the top within a few hours.” Leading-Stoker Arnold said that everyone, the officers, men and the civilians, were the same down below. There could not be a finer crowd anywhere. AYlien told that -Air .Shaw credited him with saving his life LeadingStoker Arnold replied: “T instructed him. T did mv duty the same as everyone would have done. ’ Asked about the condition of the air Arnold said it was indescribable. Tie added that there were lights in the Thetis until the time he left. “THE MEN DOWN THERE.” “1 would like to sa.v a word for the poor men down there now,” continued Leading-Stoker Arnold. “Though there was all that brain down there, yet everyone was given the chance to express Ins opinion. There was no argument between the experts and the lower deck. “It just began as talk and everyone joined in. All the suggestions were studied. It was decided that Lieuten-ant-Commander Oram and Lieutenant AYoods should try to get out. “They went into the chamber and went away. Then Mr Shaw and I decided to make a hid. AAe ielt sure that all would follow. I cannot say how 1 felt when they did not do so.” 'flie King has sent £.IOO. the Queen £SO, and Lord Nuffield £SOOO to the Thetis fund.