RUDE AWAKENING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23687, 20 June 1940, Page 11

RUDE AWAKENING

"LIKE THE LIMITED" CABIN CONTENTS WRECKED SLIGHT INJURIES RECEIVED "My first thought when I was awakened by & jarring thump was that I was back on the limited express when it rounds one'of its sharpest bends —in a few minutes J wished I had been," said Mr. George Brangier, of Honolulu, describing his rude awakening on the Niagara in the early hours of yesterday morning. Comfortably seated in the lounge of the Waverley Hotel last night, Mr. Brangier displayed a memento of the disaster, a neatly bandaged wrist which had been cut by a tumbler.

"Everything In the cabin was hurled about like ninepins," Baid Mr. Brangier. "The glass in the porthole was shattered, tumblers were dashed to the floor and a heavy -wash basin was hurled on its side like so much matchwood. In levering myself up. on my bunk to switch on the light, the jagged edge of a tumbler pierced my wrist. The fact that the light would not go was not very helpful. "Rushing out of my cabin I noticed an acrid smell and knew that something was wrong. The first place I made for was the purser's office, but I was assured that he would be responsible for taking all valuables from the ship. The lights in the lounge were on and passengers were already crowding there. Orew Knew Their Job "After applying a tourniquet to my wrist I was assisted into a lifebelt. The officers and crew were marvellous and there was absolutely no sign of panic. I had plenty of time to return to m.y cabin and gather a few belongings before being ordered to the lifeboats. "I had a few nasty moments while the boat was being launched, but the crew certainly knew their job. We were in the boats for almost eight hours. The sight of a large passenger vessel looming up was most cheering, but when she veered off at high speed it was a different story. The next we saw were aeroplanes circling overhead. Bow First Like an Arrow "It was rather an anti-climax when the next boats we saw were a few motor-boats, but we were relieved when we were told that they would take us in tow. It was a beautiful moonlight night and was quite warm. The Niagara plunged down bow first like an -arrow. We were only a few hundred yards away and could hear a crackling noise as if the portholes were cracking under the tremendous pressure. There was no suction and the boat slipped under in a flash. "It was certainly an experience which I will not forget. I did not expect to see Auckland so soon again, but I cannot say enough of the efficiency and hospitality of all concerned. I was met at the wharf by the same taxi-driver who had carried my luggage to the Niagara. His main concern seemed to be that after all the trouble he had had with my bags it was hardly right to lose them. Mr. Brangier said that practically the only other injury to his knowledge was a fractured ankle suffered by a nightwatchman who was standing within a few feet of the hatches. "It has been a trying day," concluded Mr. Brangier, "and I am sure I will sleep well to-night, but if a motor-car backfires anywhere in my vicinity early in the morning, it will be the death of me." ,