PASSING PANAMA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1578, 5 March 1919, Page 3

PASSING PANAMA.

"DIGGERS" AND "YANKS." AUSTRAL-AMERICAN ENTENTE. "Euinouv is stranger than fiction." It may or it may not be original. That doesn't matter. Certain it is that rumour, from the trivial and fantastic, to the gruesome and diabolical, plays a fascinating, anjd at times a highly diverting, part in life aboard a troopship. It is always busiest, and most irritating, and on occasion "panicky," on the approach to land. Two days before reaching Colon (writes Eustace Dunn in the "Age") it started—like the influenza—mildly. By noon next day the "dinkum oil" that only the M.O. would be allowed ashore had developed into the disturbing assertion that the accurate work of submarines had caused a shortage of coal, and that we would anchor in mid-harbour a week at least. By nightfall this had grown into the disconcerting statement that the three locks had been badly bombed by a raider —the canal was blocked, and therefore we should have to creep round the Brazilian coast, and proceed homewards via the Cape. When, soon after daybreak, we were well within the breakwater hends, and began to draw near the coaling pier, the champions of these travesties were out of sight. Then, when hawsers were fastened to pier posts, and it was discovered that two wide barges would prevent us from lying close alongside, the wild statements started once more. The port was hopelessly infected, no one would be allowed ashore, and a strong body .of American troops with ammunition would guard the approaches! The "diggers" began to look as they can look on such occasions. Trouble was freely anticipated; open rebellion mooted. Presently an official came on board, and soon everyone knew that in half an hour a special train would be on the wharf to convey the troops free to the city. There were distinct signs of disappointment amongst the rebellious. It was all too eas}'! And of over 100 inmates of the hospital, only four beflridden ones remained on board.

The unfortunate orderly officer had to return to the boat soon after 4 o'clock, and then his delightful job began. It. however, had its compensations. The study of character between then and past midnight was interesting in the extreme. (Note. —"Officially," all had to be on board by 9 p.m.) Having a Day of It.

It was tropically hot, almost to suffiocation; but the young bloods had made up their minds to have a full day of it. Those of maturer age began to dribble back at sunset; faces dripping with perspiration, and heads hatless for the most part. The brilliant lights ere long beaconed the way to the ship's side; and when 10 o'clock, approached a more or less steady stream of kliaki moved along the wharf. There were obstructions dangerous to ankles on the barges, and when these were passed either a steep wooden or a rope ladder had to be negotiated. Everyone carried parcels, varying from books to boxes requiring two carriers, and huge bunches containing 200 bananas. Arguments, long and heated, commenced over the best way to get these aboard. The biggest bunch took the palm. Ultimately a rope with a "guide" line was attached to the stem. The tempting cluster was hoisted up, but the guide line was released too quickly, and with a thud the bunch crashed into the iron, and half the treasure tumbled into the water!

Presently parties of two, with arms linked for mutual support, came along here and there, and occasionally a trio, of whom the centre man requires guidance—if not support. Then one of a cantankerous nature tacks across the boards, avoiding the pillaTS of overhead cranes and the wharf's edge by a miracle. He stops in front of the ship, blinking. The 0.0. goes across the gangway to assist. "Come on, old chap," he coaxes. "I'll help you'across." The man pulls himself up indignantly, and addresses the ship. "Did you hear that! Did you ever hear anything like it!" And before the 0.0. can stop him he has dived sinuously across the gangway, floundered over dangerous timber, and laboriously goes up the rope ladder, step by

step, muttering the while—"Did —you —ever —hear—anything—like —it?'' One man hopelessly sprawls on the wharf. He is hefty, and resents his feet being touched. The 0.0. calls for assistance. Out hops an athlete from the ship, actually shoulders his burden, and carries him, protesting, up to the deck. Another fellow wends a precarious way to the rope ladder, and then appears doubtful. He looks up. '' Say,'' says he, '' ar—are you— Digger?" "Yes, old chap," from above. "What's up?" '' Then—if you 're T9 gge r— 'and 'nother Digger a—a —rope." The rope is lowered, and by some marvellous luck he crawls up to the taffrail, and is hauled aboard by mates. When rolls are cheeked at 1 a.m., there are three men missing. The boat leaves at 6..t0 a.1.1. The last patrol has come in. The 0.0. can do no more, and goes to bed.

Stray New Zealanders. Punctually at 7.30 the vessel reports at the first, of the three Gatun locks. There is a New Zealand boat ahead, and she can just be seen rising in the third lock. It has been discovered that two New Zealanders are on our boat by mistake. A dinghy comes along with a steel hawser from one of the electnV motors that pull the ship through the lock. Without warning these two men clamber down into the dinghy, get on the cement walls, and run along half a mile to the top lock. When we enter the second lock, there are our three missing men, who, in their turn, boarded the New Zealauder by mistake. These are hauled aboard, and our total ia correct!

Meanwhile a huge crowd of Americans has collected on the walls, and as we slowly move along, parcel after parcel of American magazines and other literature are thrown aboard. There is a repetition of this at the vthrce locks at the other end. But ammunition is getting short. One of the Yankee boys ashore has lived in Sydney. A Sydney lad throws his hat across. The Yankee responds with his own head gear. Another follows, and another: and in the end it is difficult to tell which is the prouder—the American with the "digger's" hat, or the "digger" with the American's. One enthusiast throws his coat, but this falls into the water. Nevertheless, the American instantly throws his own coat aboard, which is received with resounding cheers. Regretfully, the boat passes the last lock, and moves slowly under her own steam into the Pacific Ocean. Soon a loaded boat, with people from Balboa, comes close by, and once more the mutual exchanges begin. Another boat conies alongside shortly afterwards. She carries a load of fish in her bows for our company. And we have been short of fish. We were moving along at seven knots an hour; it was getting dark; and our skipper, who was short-tempered, and not popular, was anxious to get clear of the coast. The vessel with the fish delivered two belated firemen on our vessel first.

"What the devil do you mean by putting men aboard my boat," demanded the skipper, angrily. "Because they belong," replied the American, ironically.

"Unhitch your boat or I'll go full steam ahead," roared the captain. The men were furious. The fish was not coming on after all. They looked volumes. Presently the passenger boat came close again, and, realising the men's disappointment, simply showered presents aboard. The other boat cast off her ropes. The boat with the crowd played the National Anthem. "What about 'The Star Spangled Banner?'" roared someone. Immediately it was played, whilst all stood to attention. Three times three ringing cheers followed; and bit by bit the boats drev apart, till only waving scarfs and flags could be distinguished from the throng. It was a send-off such ias few had experienced before.