EXCITING VOYAGE

Southland Times, Issue 20523, 27 June 1928, Page 7

EXCITING VOYAGE

JERVIS BAY’S TRIP INSULTING ATTITUDE OF STOWAWAYS WOMEN AND CHILDREN ALARMED (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Colombo, June 25. Further interviews with the Jervis Bay that nothing approaching a mutiny occurred. They were amazed at tne alarming wireless messages sent out. The officers suggested that tne messages must have been mutilated. The latter say the Cuban was most abusive. He demanded that the passengers pay his fare, boasted he had travelled as a stowaway eleven times and that passengers always paid his fare. He told the passengers that they were ‘‘the measliest lot of he had ever travelled with.” The stowaways one night broke out of prison and invaded the saloon during a concert. shouting and swearing. The mate ordered them to clear out. They jeered insultingly till an officer knocked down the ringleader. Then there was a general melee between passengers, officers and stowaways. Later in the evening the stowaways ran amuck along the decks and terriiied women and children, opening cabin doors and shouting insults. A second struggle followed, in which four naval ratings gave valuable assistance. Eventually the disturbers were battened down while awaiting the Slavol. The officers adopted new tactics and began starving the stowaways, with the result that when the marines came on board they found them subdued and easily controlled. The officers are emphatic that the crew did not participate in the trouble, but someone slipped an iron bar down the ventilator to the prisoners, facilitating their escape. The passengers’ memorial states: —“We are greatly concerned by untrue rumours concerning the alleged attitude of the crew. We saw nothing but the crew’s active loyalty in assisting the commander and officers.”—Australian Press Association. UGLY THREATS MADE. TROUBLE EFFECTIVELY’ DEALT WITH. STATEMENTS BY PASSENGERS. London, June 25. A British United Press message gives passengers’ narratives. Three nights out from Fremantle the stowaways were discovered and immediately became insubordinate. They burned beds, broke a stairway and threatened to set fire to the ship. The alarm of the women and children probably decided the captain to send out the S.O.S. signals. “The trouble lasted only a few hours. We were surprised the story ot mutiny got abroad. There was nothing like it.” So said one passenger. Another version states that after the stowaways declined to work they were imprisoned in a cabin, set fire to the bedding and thrust blazing mattresses out of the portholes. There was no disturbance among the crew. The stowaways gave no trouble after they were brought under control and placed in a room by themselves. The Slavol’s marines had nothing to do. The leader of the stowaways, a Cuban, boasts that he has done only three weeks’ work in six years. The stowaways were desperate at night, frightening women and children. They also attempted to cut off ' the fresh water supply. They caused uneasiness for five nights. When the Slavol’s party boarded the Cuban remarked: "What a fine set of Boy Scouts.” Passengers agree that there was little cause for fright, though for a few hours the situation seemed desperate owing to the stowaways’ ugly threats of what they intended to do.—Australian Press Association. STOWAWAYS BEFORE COURT. EVIDENCE OF CAPTAIN DANIEL. (Rec. 7.45 p.m.) Colombo, June 26. An armed escort of nine men brought the stowaways ashore this afternoon, whereupon they were taken to the Police Court. Mr Roberts, an advocate, was assigned to them as counsel. Accused were charged: (1 With being stowaways; (2) disobeying orders to work; (3) committing mischief by setting fire to the vessel’s furniture and bedding. Replying to a question, Captain Daniel said that not one member of the crew was in any way involved. He was proud to say that the Press imputation was wickedly untrue. The names of accused are: John Anderson, Thomas Blaylock, John Fletcher, William Teasey, William Mackay, David Micmiilan, Douglas Bruce and Arthur Jackson. The last-named is a half-caste Cuban. Accused pleaded guilty to all charges except arson. Captain Daniel said the stowaways weje told to keep to themselves. They were given two cabins and the same food as the passengers. Some were set to clean decks; others to clean brass work. Later, all refused to work. Only Blaylock complained of the food. He (Daniel) had accused evicted from the cabins and taken to the isolation hospital and they were instructed not to go beyond the iron rail. The men left their quarters and annoyed the passengers during a dance. They behaved in a disorderly manner and were overpowered by the crew. They used filthy language and were taken back to the isolation hospital and put in irons. Captain Daniel added that the stowaways used an iron crowbar to remove the hatches. They went perilously near to the electric wires connected with the steering gear which, if cut, would have rendered the ship helpless. Nobody but witness and the chief officer knew the electric wires were there. Accused caused fires to the bedding. There was much inflammable material on the upper deck. A hose was turned on the men. Witness then sent a message for help. Accused openly told the passengers and officers that they were determined to set fire to the ship.—Australian Press Association. RECALCITRANTS SENTENCED. Colombo, June 25. The stowaways were convicted on the four counts and were sentenced to five and a-half months' imprisonment. Mr H. B. Larkin said the Jervis Bay incident was merely a storm in a teacup and he would not comment on the captain’s action till he obtained a personal explanation. He instructed the captain not to provide the Press with any more exciting messages.—Australian Press Association. ARSON CHARGE DISMISSED. (Rec. 12.30 axi.) London, June 26 The Magistrate in dismissing the arson charge, said he was satisfied the stowaways had no intention o f setting the ship afire.— Australian Press Association. ORDERED OFF THE BRIDGE. Colombo, June 26. When the Jervis Bay was raising its second anchor a delegate, representing the en-gine-room trade unionists, said to the cap tain: ’ We won't take the ship to sea.” The raptain ordered him off the bridge and said he would deal with him after the ship left port. There was no further trouble and the Jervis Bay sailed at midnight.—Australian Press Association. COMMENT BY THE TIMES. (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) London, June 26. The Times in an editorial states: “The Jervis Bay was undoubtedly in danger, but

it might not have arisen if the captain at the outset had been a little less lenient. It seems a pity that after the efficacy of benign hosepipe treatment the captain thought it necessary to sifmmon the Navy’s aid however satisfactory it may be. As usual the übiquitous cruiser was not overdistant to give it.”—Times Cables.