THE WESTMORELAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3385, 29 January 1919, Page 37

THE WESTMORELAND

OCEAN TRAMP'S WAR-TIME EXPERIENCE.

(Fsoa Oub Own Correspondent.) , AUCKLAND, January 24. An interesting war-time experience which shows that mietortunes do not always como singly to ocean tramps is that of the Federal Shire steamer Westmoreland. This steamer was on fire at Auckland 16 months ago, on reaching this port, after an eventful passage 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 misfortuno to be struck by a torpedo in the Lish 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 left an English port for Australia and New 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 the vessel. The ship's helm was quickly .put hard to port., and as her head swung to starboard the torpedo passed the steamer's stern, it is estimated, about sft away. The steamer carried a gun and a trained gun orew. As soon as the torpedo was noticed the gun's crew rushed to the ?-un, and had it trained on the water where he submarine was expected to show itself, but it did not come to the surface itself, and no sign of a periscope could bo seen. A destroyer escorted the steamer for some time, and handed her over to another British man-o'-war. In this way she Was escorted through the danger *xme. The Westmoreland reached Auckland on September 22, 1918. It was reported on arrival that a fire was smouldering in No. 4 hold. The outbreak had been discovered about a fortnight previously, apd all the openings to the hold had been olosed to prevent the fire from spreading. On September 24 a commencement was made with the dis-

charge of cargo from the hold. Aboat 6 o'olock in the evening- the fire broke out Afresh in a serious form, and the fire brigade was summoned. After several hours' hard 'work, tho flames were extinguished. During 1 the fighting of the fire four members of the fire brigade and waterside, workers wero overcome by smoke, and were taken to the hospital, where they quickly recovered. The steamer, which was not seriously damaged by fire, subsequently went to Wellington, and, after 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. The crew, numbering about 70, took to the boats, and were picked 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 the steamer. The Westmoreland, which had been struck near the engine room, did not sink, but waa temporarily patched up, and taken to Liverpool where permanent repairs put in hand. At latest advice it was expected that sho would be ready for sea again about B,cbruary of this year.

_ Mr J. Gain (Auckland) occupied the position of wireless operator on the Westmoreland. When being transferred from tho ship's boat to tho destroyer, he sustained an injury which necessitated about threa months' treatment in hospital at Liverpool. Mr Cain, who has returned in good health, commenced his career as a ship'» wireless operator on the Wimmera, which was sunk in Juno last.