COLLIER IN PERIL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16801, 14 November 1928, Page 5

COLLIER IN PERIL

SHORTAGE OF COAL A VERY ANXIOUS VOYAGE ■ SVDXEV, Nov. I. Captain A. Williamson, >\ ho brought a new collier. I lie Annie M. Miller, safely from Seo'hinil n> Sydney, admitted on arrival timr he had had grave fears for the safely of the vessel and its crew of IS during the voyage across the Indian Ocean. Held ' hack for l!> days by adverse weather, he took stork of the coal in the I.linkers a fort night before reaching the Western Australian coast, and he then came to Hie conclusion that the vessel could scarcely reach port under her own steam.

The engineers and the ofllccrs on deck collaborated to secure the best results from every pound of coal used—and every pound counted, The last i'vw days nf the journey was a terrific strain on those who were aware of (lie situation, and il wins a groat relief to them when the vessel was lied Up at liunbury, Western Australia. There were then only; between two and three lons nf coal remaining siifti cienl 'to steam the collier for one watch under normal conditions.

The vessel carried no wireless and was away from the route of passenger vessels. Pacing the possibility of the coal giving out, ami. the vessel drifting hopelessly in I he Indian Ocean and eventually being carried into the An tare-tie by the eiirrents, Captain Williamson took steps to conserve the Storks of food. To add to the difficulties, ii was reported one morning thai portion of the stork of salt meal had gone had. and it: had to be thrown overboard. All hands were immediately placed on food rations. Every issue to the galley was pi; .1 under the strictest supervision. On arrival at Rnnbnry there was unfile ion* food ro last for three or four days. The most alarm ing feature of the food problem was the rapidity with which the finned goods disappeared as soon as the stores of salt meal gave out.

1 ' As soon us ii became evident I lull the Annie M. Miller and those 'on board wen? in a precarious position,' 5 said Captain Williamson, ''l consulted with the officers and the engineers, and we took slock. When the weather was favorable we proceeded at a speed roiisist-ent with the most economical consumption of coal, and when head winds were mel with the -engines were reduced to dead slow.

".Most of tho crew were nominated immigrants, and not being seafaring men they knew practically nothing of the seriousness of the situation. A strict lookout was kept, but not a single steamer was sighted right across the Indian Ocean, and 1 can tell you thai all the officers were greatly relieved when at last-a long last it seemed—they sighted the coast." On leaving Scotland the Annie .M. Miller was coaled and provisioned for a voyage which', it was anticipated, would occupy (id days. Actually il occupied 89 days. The crossing of the Indian Ocean occupied 3.1 days instead of the estimated 20 days.