EFFORT TO CATCH LINER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21966, 24 November 1934, Page 12

EFFORT TO CATCH LINER

WELLINGTON GIRL'S PLIGHT HAULED UP SHIP'S SIDE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON", Friday A well-known Wellington girl was the central figure of an episode which held the elements both of comedy and mild drama' at the departure of the Wanganella for Sydney yesterday afternoon. The ship was originally scheduled to sail at mid-day, but the departure was postponed on account of the cargo to be handled until 3 p.m. The girl, who was one of the passengers, growing weary of the delay, decided tc do more shopping in the city. Unfortunately, however, she had been informed the vessel was to sail at 5 o clock. As the Wanganella began to move slowly forward from her berth a breathless figure appeared and pushed through the crowd and looked miserably up at the passengers lining the rail. She had been found at afternoon tea with friends in a city emporium. The bridge was frantically hailed and Captain Bates stopped the Wanganella with half her length projecting beyond the end of the wharf, ready for the swing out. into the harbour. The wouldbe passenger, in her embarrassment, began to climb a crane with the object of jumping from its platform to the vessel's deck, but came down when it was seen that a rope with a loop was being lowered from the deck. In it she took her seat and, holding on with one hand, gaily waved to the spectators while an officer and seaman hauled her hand over hand 20 feet up the ship's side.