NO CREW ON SHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22862, 18 October 1937, Page 8

NO CREW ON SHIP

VOYAGE WITH OFFICERS MEN WALK ASHORE DISPUTE ABOUT OVERTIME EAST COAST INCIDENTS To avoid peril to his ship when her crew went ashore at Tokomaru Bay on Friday evening after an overtime dispute, Captain A. F. Watchlin, owner and master of the Watchlin Line motorship I'ort Tauranga, put to sea with the vessel manned only by her officers. Rising seas which threatened the ship as she lay at the jetty in the fairly open water of Tokomaru Bay weie responsible for Captain Watchlin s decision, and the Port Tauranga reached Auckland without incident on Saturday afternoon. A message received yesterday from the Hkrald's Gisborne correspondent stated that the crew had left for Auckland by road. On the arrival at. Auckland of the Port Tauranga, Captain Watchlin stated that at 5 p.m. on Friday, shortly before her departure time, the crew's delegate informed the chief officer that the crew had ceased work owing to a dispute over a claim for one hour's overtime at Auckland which had not been allowed. Rough Weather Threatening The men went to tea, and at 6.15 p.m. were ordered by the chief officer to prepare the ship for sea. They refused to obey the order. This refusal was conveyed to Captain AVatchlin, who informed the delegate tjiat the time and place were not opportune to discuss an overtime dispute. He pointed out that the Port Tauranga was in an open and dangerous port, the wind was from the sea and was rising, and that rough weather was threatening. For the safety of the ship it was necessary to proceed to sea before dark, it being dangerous to remain any longer alongside the jetty. Reasonable time for the men to make a decision was given, stated Captain Watchlin, and they were again ordered to "turn to" by the chief officer. Instead of obeying the order, the men took their clothes ashore and left the Port Tauranga. Ship Headed lor Auckland "As the weather was threatening from the south-east, blowing right on to the jetty with an increasing swell, it was not safe for the vessel to remain alongside overnight," said the master, who added that he had no option but to take the ship to sea with the assistance of the officers, and without the crew. Owing to the increasing wind and 6ea ho did not consider it safe to anchor off Tokomaru Bay, and the Port Tauranga was then headed for Auckland. • The Port Tauranga, -which is the latest addition to the Watchlin Line's fleet, is discharging Australian cargo on the coast. She left Auckland for Tokomaru Bay on Tuesday morning to discharge 750 tons of Australian hardwood for use in the construction of a new wharf. She has returned to Auckland to discharge more cargo for this port and to take in fuel oil and stores. It is not yet known what developments will follow to-day. The departure of the Port Tauranga for Dargaville is projected for to-day. On arrival tho vessel berthed at Western Wharf to fuel, and she will move this morning to Prince's Wharf.