STOKER’S LAPSE

Southland Times, Issue 22727, 1 November 1935, Page 8

STOKER’S LAPSE

STOWAWAY ON CRUISER CARRIED AWAY BY EXCITEMENT RETURNED BY LAUNCH (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, October 31. Apparently tired of the quiet life in port, an adventurous stoker in H.M.b. Leith stowed away on board H.M.o. Diomede when she left Auckland on October 20 “for special service under the Admiralty,” bound for an undisclosed destination. Safely away from harbour, the stowaway believed that nothing could prevent his being taken overseas in the crujser. However, soon after the Commander of the Diomede, CAptain Cosmo Graham, had given the order to proceed at full speed down the gulf, the man was discovered by an officer. Captain Graham at once signalled a pleasure launch that happened to be cruising near by and the man was put off. On arrival at Kawau Island he was handed over to the local Justice of the Peace who arranged later for the man’s removal to the mainland at Mahurangi where he • was met by a policeman and taken to Devonport by motor car. The Master at Arms from the Leith then took the man into custody on the sloop. He was brought before the Commander of the Leith, Captain Bevir, on the following day. The man was charged with improperly leaving his ship. The stoker said that he went on board the Diomede on Sunday afternoon shortly before her departure, to, farewell some of his friends. The excitement among the sailors who were going on an unknown adventure had made him act on the spur of the moment and he remained on board when the cruiser sailed. He had acted on sudden impulse. A very serious view is taken by the naval authorities of such breaches, but as the man was brought back on the same day, the captain exercised his discretion and sentenced him to lose his good conduct badge and stopped his shore leave for a period. Had the man actually got away in the Diomede, a much more severe penalty would probably have been inflicted.