ECHO OF THE WAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16498, 2 August 1924, Page 11

ECHO OF THE WAR.

SINKING OF THE OTAKI,

At a ililiner on the Rumuera at Wellington to Captain Bone, marine superintendent of the New Zealand Shipping Company, who is retiring after fifty years’ service, Mr. J. H. C. Bond, manager of the company in New Zealand, referred to the great work done by their guest during the war, and went on to tell how he had, single-handed, fitted out several troopships. He added that the London otneo, realising the work that was falling to the lot of Captain Bone, sent, out Captain A. B. Smith to assist him. Captain Smith was given command of the Otaki on his way out 'in 1017, and during the voyage they encountered the raider Moewe. With only a 4.7 gun the Utaki put up a gallant resistance, but in the end the German ship ship got the. better of the fight, and Captain Smith went down with his ship. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, and in a letter from the Admiralty afterwards, in drawing attention to the courageous stand, said that with a little more luck the Otaki might have succeeded in sinking the German raider.

Also on the vessel was Mr. It. 11. L, MeNisli, who was awarded the D.S.O. Mr. M.cNish was present at the gathering yesterday, being now chief officer of the Remuera.