THE MARQUETTE DISASTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 October 1928, Page 2

THE MARQUETTE DISASTER

To the Editor)

• Sir.—-The letter in last night's issue of-the 'mail" over the signature of C. Lewis was-most interesting, but' there was one serious inaccuracy which!.'? would like to* correct; ' '; .',", ;; - -

In the'opening paragraph he states: "The hospital ship Marquette." ' The Marquette was not a hospital ship, she was a troopship painted grey with no conventional hospital ship markings at all. ' - '"" -'

In the nurse's letter that follows sheJ states that the M ar qnette carried the 29th Division Ammunition Ck)lum.nWsCo odd mules and ammunition. That/is ; quite correct and the Huns were> justified in torpedoing her, but there was;a | dreadful error made by the authorities in charge by ordering these heroic nurs-. jesto be'transported on that boat. There was great indignation throughout New | Zealand when, the circumstances surrounding their, tragic death were repealed. As one who Spent all day ' clinging on fp a raft fop dear life until picked up by the minesweeper Lynn, I can only say that I am' unable to find, words to ably express my admiration for; those phiclcy girls. Alas, half of that small band lost their lives through; some official's blunder. —-I am, etc.," A". R-. KINGSEOBD. (Ship's orderly Corporal, H.M.T.S; Marquette, 23rd October, 1915). P.S.—J. M. McGeeandC. D. son of this district lost their liyes ]ft this disaster.