THE WESTMORELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17533, 27 January 1919, Page 8

THE WESTMORELAND

OCEAN TRAMP'S WAR-TIME EXPERIENCE. A SERIES OF ESCAPES. (From Oue Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, January 2*. An interesting war-time experience which shows that misfortunes do not always come singly to ocean tramps is that ' of the Federal Shiro steamer Westmoreland. This steamer was on. fire at Auckland 16 months ago, on reaching this port, after' an oventtul passago from the West of England at the beginning of which, she narrowly escaped being torpedoed. She already had been delayed after first leaving port by a mishap to her machinery, which necessitated her returning. On her return voyage from New Zealand she had the misfortune to be struck by a torpedo' in the Irish Sea. This ill luck, however, had not "terminated the vessel's eventful .career, and she shortly will 'be in commission again. The first torpedo incident occurred on the afternoon of the day after the Westmoreland 1 left an English port for Australia and Now Zealand. A sharp look-out was being kept for enemy submarines. No 'submarine could be seen, but suddenly a long-range torpedo was seen approaching from the port quarter, making straight for the middle of tho vessel. The ship's helm was quickly put hard to port, and as her head swung to starboard the torpedo passed the steamer's stem, it is estimated, .about sft OAvay. Tho steamer carried a gun and a trained gun crow. As soon as the torpedo was noticed the gun's crew rushed to the gun, and had it trained' on the water where the submarine was expected to show itself, but it did not come to the surface itself, , and no sign of a periscope could be seen. A destroyer escorted tho steameT for some time, and handed her over to another British man-o'-war. In this way she was escorted through the danger zone. The Westmoreland reached Auckland on September 22, 1918. It was reported on arrival that a fire was smouldering in No. 4- hold. Tho outbreak had been discovered about a fortnight previously, and all the openings to tho hold had been closed' to prevent the fire from spreading. On September 24 a commencement was made with' the discharge of cargo from the hold. About' 6 o'clock _in ttie evening the fire broke out afresh in a serious form, and the fire brigade was summoned. After several hours' hard work, the flames were extinguished. During the fighting of tho fire four members . of tho fire 'brigade and waterside workers were overcome by smoke, and were taken to tho hospital, where they quickly recovered. The steamer, which was not seriously damaged by fire, subsequently went to Wellington, and, aftor completing the' discharge of her cargo, she proceeded to Australia, where she loaded for Liverpool. On reaching tho Irish Sea early last year she was torpedoed by a German submarine when a few miles from the Irish Coast. Tho crow, rrumbering about 70, took to the boats, and were pioked up by British destroyers,,, -which were within close call', and taken to Liverpool. One life was' lost, a fireman falling from a boat, and being lost after leaving tho steamer. The Westmoreland, which had been struck near tho engine room, did not sink, but was temporarily patched up, and taken to Liverpool where permanent repairs were put in hand. At latest advice it was expected that she would be ready for sea again about February of this year.

Mr J. Cain (Auckland) occupied the,position of wireless operator on the Westmoreland. When being/'transferred from tho ship's boat to the destroyer, ho sustained an injury which necessitated about throe months' troatmont in hospital at Liverpool. Mr Cain, who has returned in good health, commenced his. career as a shin's wireless operator on tho Wimmcra, which was sunk in June last.

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