OPERATION AT SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22524, 15 September 1936, Page 10

OPERATION AT SEA

CAPTAIN OF MARAMA VESSEL REACHES WELLINGTON [by telegraph—press association] WELLINGTON, Monday "Doing very Well" was the report giveil on Captain 11. M. Kane, commander of the Marania, who was operated on at sea for appendicitis, when the vessel arrived to-day. Tho operation was carried out by Dr. Orbell, a passenger, after consultation with Dr. W. D. Mercer, the ship's doctor, when the captain became ill after the Marama had left Sydney on Ihursday night. Dr. Mercer administered the anaesthetic, and valuable assistance was given by a steward named Litchfield. Dr. Orbell said to-day that it would have been dangerous to postpono the operation until the ship reached port. Speed was reduced during the operation, and yesterday in the interests of Captain Kane's greater comfort. Captain Kane was taKen to hospital on his arrival.

CALL TO NIAGARA MESSAGE CANCELLED LATER When the Niagara arrived at Auckland yesterday her commander, Captain W. Martin,, said that shortly after the vessel's courso had boon altered in response to ; the wireless message from the. Marama asking for the assistWQQ of tho ship's surgeon, Dr. D. 'J. Sweeney, a further message was received -stating that assistance was" not required; The Niagara then resumed her normal course.

Expecting to have to tranship Dr. Sweeney to the Marama in mid-ocean, Captain Mnrtin had made arrangements for Dr. G. Hodges, a member of the Australian hockey team travelling to the United States, to sign on as ship's doctor.