OBITUARY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17228, 7 April 1930, Page 8

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN G. T. DEITH Information has been received at Auckland of the death at- sea of Captain G. T. Deith. who recently visited Auckland after his retirement from active service. lie was on his way to England b\ the liner Nestor, and died five dnvs before the vessel reached Durban.

Most of Captain Debit's service was with the Federal Line of steamers. Ids last command being the Cumberland. Me bad some exciting adventures during the Great War while in command of the Westmoreland. In 1017 he left England for New Zealand, and was attacked by a German submarine, but the torpedo missed by about sft. When the Pacific had been safely reached, a fire broke out in No. 4 hold. All openings to the hold were closed to stifle the outbreak; but when Auckland was reached and the coverings removed, Hie fire broke out again, and the fire brigades had difficulty in subduing it. The vessel was not seriously damaged, but the loss ~f cargo totalled £50.000. On the return voyage Home front Australia, where the vessel had loaded jiroduee, the Westmoreland was torpedoed in the Irish Sea. being struck near the engine mom. The crew of 70 look to the boats, and onfy one life was lost. The West inorel.ind did not sink, but two hours later was taken in tow and beached. She was subsequently repaired, and has since, made many trips (o the Dominion.—Star.