SAVED IN NICK OF TIME.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18651, 21 August 1930, Page 9

SAVED IN NICK OF TIME.

Loss of the Tahiti. RADIO OPERATOR'S STORY. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Con' rig nt MONTREAL. August 18. A message from Pago Pago states that the radio operator, Mr Davidson, of the Tahiti, telling of the rescue, stated that the passengers were just on the Ventura in time, as the bulkheads had started giving way, and the holds were filled to the ’tween decks forward. Part of the ship listed heavily, the nose being much deeper than the stern. The Mayor of San Francisco, Mr Rolph, announced that a civic welcome will be extended to the Ventura. Mr Rolph wirelessed Captain Meyer; “San Francisco congratulates yoti on your heroism and successful rescue of the passengers and crew of the illfated Tahiti.” PASSENGERS AND CREW. AMERICANS AT PAGO PAGO TO ASSIST. United Press Assck lion—By Electric Telegraph -Copyright WASHINGTON. August 18. Mr C. F. Adams (Secretary of the Navy), announced that the Naval Governor of American Samoa will take steps to aid the passengers and crew of the Tahiti, if the Ventura lands them at Pago Pago. Mr Adams said: “In such an event the question of transportation home in all probability will be solved by the Tahiti’s owners. We will naturally stand by, and do anything we can in the meantime.” * CAPTAIN MEYER CRITICISED. RADIO QUERIES NOT ANSWERED EARLY. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 21. 0.8 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 20. The evening press of Sydney severely criticises the failure of the Ventura’s master to respond to early radio queries from Australia regarding the condition and circumstances of the Tahiti’s passengers, whereto the United States Consul here, Mr Roger Tredwell, points out that the radio station ot Pago Pago is owned by the United States Navy Department, therefore the captain of the Ventura was not entitled to immediately respond through that station to commercial traffic, but he was able to take command of that station and send emergency messages, which he actually did, announcing the safe return of all the passengers, also the fate of the Tahiti’s mails and ship. His next duty was to report to the Company. Then, doubtless, other radio traffic was dealt with in order of precedence.

PASSENGERS’ STORIES. MASTERLY SEAMANSHIP OF CAPTAINS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright , (Received August 21, 0.10 a.m.) PAGO PAGO, August 20. The first stories from the passengers of the Tahiti indicated that masterly seamanship on the part of the captains of both the Tahiti and Ventura prevented an appalling disaster. Twice before the Ventura arrived there seemed no hope of rescue being at hand. Captain Toten gave orders to the passengers to take to the life boats. All aboard the Tahiti were grateful for what appeared to be their deliverance when the freighter Penybryn hove in sight, and made her way to a point near the distressed Tahiti, but although she stood by and was willing to succour the disabled and sinking craft, the Penybryn lacked equipment to transfer the Tahiti’s company. Fear ruled on the Tahiti for three days, but throughout the harrowing experience the passengers were orderly and obedient to the dictates of wiser minds. When rescue came to them, the women passengers were first transferred, then the men, and finally the crew. When the passengers learned that the Penybryn, which had been first hope to them, was known herself to be in danger, there was much heartfelt regret Expressed, and questions as to whether something could not be done to help the little steamer, which is running short of coal on the run to Auckland, and may have to face the oncoming south-west gale. Fervent hopes were expressed that she may successfully reach Suva, where she is heading to recoal. Continuing their accounts, the passengers stated that when all hands were aboard the Ventura, an attempt was made to save large quantities of mail from the Tahiti’s holds. With some of the bags already taken off the ship, the boats were returning for more when the Tahiti lurched and took another roll. Waves swept over her bows, which failed to rise again from under the water. Then the doomed liner straightened on an even keel. Her stern rose, and she disappeared in a boiling white whirlpool. VENTURA AT PAGO PAGO. . ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. .. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 20, 11.40 p.m.) HONOLULU, August 20. Pago Pago advices state that the Ventura - arrived there at 1 o’clock this afternoon, after completing the rescue of the passengers and crew of the Tahiti. They were greeted in Pago Pago harbour by whistles, sirens, and the

naval station band playing lively music, including, “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here.” All were enthused over the gallant and speedy race against time made by the Ventura through a reef studded and lonely area of the Pacific. The calm assurance and well-known efficiency of Captain Meyer had a considerable effect in sustaining the admirable spirit of calmness and resigned acceptance of conditions by the Tahiti’s passengers and crew, also those ashore, who were anxiously awaiting news of their fate. This news was only available through the Ventura which radioed messages on the rescue work. Chief Engineer Knudson has had long experience on the Ventura, and her sister ship, the Sonoma, and great credit is due to him for his wonderful performance of the Ventura on the long speed run. Auxiliary machinery, ice plants, fans, and electric lights were shut down saving every ounce of steam for the engines. The Ventura arrived on the scene in the forenoon and at 1.15 all the passengers were aboard. Several times Captain Toten decided to put the passengers in the boats, but excellent and cool judgment, and a knowledge of the sea and his vessel, together with a calm and sympathetic but firm control of the situation, kept the passengers and crew from this exposure, and hardship until absolutely necessary, when the work was carried out without loss or injury in perfect calmness and cheerfulness. The Tofua is calling here on Sunday to lift the crew and passengers left at Pago Pago. The passengers and crew left behind at Pago Pago sent to the Ventura on her departure their best wishes and kindly thanks for consideration after the rescue. VALUE OF WIRELESS. HEROISM OF OFFICERS AND MEN. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright (Received August 20, 7.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 19. The “New York Times,” in a leader headed “Saved by Wireless,” states: “The case of the Tahiti is worthy of honourable mention in the annals of the sea. The officers and men of the Tahiti and Ventura behaved handsomely, the Tahiti’s by fine seamanship and good discipline, and the Ventura’s by the rescue in a heavy sea without loss of life. Captain Meyer won golden opinions from his employers. There is comfort and hope in wireless, since the captain and men fight harder to save the ship and passengers when they know another ship is on the way to rescue them. CAPTAIN TOTEN PRAISED. WIRELESS OFFICERS’ GOOD WORK. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received August 20, 8.20 p.m.) VANCOUVER, August 19. A dramatic description of the foundering of the Tahiti is furnished by Captain W. R. Meyer, of the Ventura, who gives full praise to the coolness and seamanship of Captain Toten, and rather neglects to recount his own part in the adventure. Captain Meyer describes the damage when the Tahiti's propeller was lost, and the steps taken to cope with the inrush of water into the ruptured tunnel. Captain Meyer then tells of his dash in the Ventura to the scene. “We sighted the Tahiti at 9.15 on Sunday. The passengers were trying to put on life belts as we arrived alongside at 10.30, and at 1.30 all hands were safely on board the Ventura.” Passengers spoke in glowing terms of the coolness and fortitude of Captain Toten, and of the heroic efforts

of the engineers and all the crew of the ill-fated Tahiti, which was rolling in the long swells. This indicates that splendid seamanship prevailed during the rescue. The radio officers, with only an auxiliary apparatus working, owing to the dynamo being below water, with the engineroom flooded, added new laurels to their already splendid record. The Tahiti was foundering rapidly when Captain Toten and the last of the crew left at 3.40, and she went out of sight at 4.42. One-third of the ship stood perpendicular above the water when she dived. Her position is latitude 24/40, longitude 16'50. TAHITI’S OWN STORY. WHAT RADIO EXCHANGES REVEALED. United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyright. (Received August 20, 10.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 20. Governor Lincoln has outlined details of the Tahiti disaster as indicated to him in radio exchanges, as follows: The Tahiti lost a propeller on August 15, while about 700 miles from Rarotonga. After losing the propeller, the after-peak was flooded, stopping the ship. The leak continued to gain, partly flooding numbers three and four holds, and the engineroom.

The Ventura responded to radio appeals, and started for the Tahiti immediately. Meanwhile, the Penybryn, Abitnos and Tofua all responded, but they were smaller and slower ships than the Ventura. At 1.30 a.m. on August 16, the engineroom bulkhead threatened to give way, and the Tahiti's passengers started to abandon the ship.

It was at this point that an “abandon ship” S.O.S. call was sent out, intimating that the lifeboats had been lowered, after which the Tahiti lost radio contact with many Pacific stations for several hours. Governor Lincoln continued:—“The battered wall held, however, and the crew continued pumping hard. A report from the Ventura that she expected to arrive at 2 p.m. on Sunday, and a-message from the Penybryn that she expected to arrive at noon on Saturday, gave the crew new hope. The Tahiti’s engineroom at daybreak on Saturday was beyond control, with water threatening to kill the dynamos. Again the Tahiti reported ‘abandoning ship,’ but did not do so, being encouraged by messages pertaining to the arrival of the Penybryn. A new position was reported on Saturday afternoon, but the Ventura was four hours closer. The Ventura was making sixteen knots, which was better than anticipated. Due to differences in navigation calculations, the Penybryn failed to sight the Tahiti as soon as had been expected. The Penybryn started to fire rockets, which were sighted by the sinking ship at 7.40 p.m. on Saturday. During the night the Penybryn stood ready to take off the passengers and crew, anji mail, at a moment’s notice, but due to the somewhat improved situation, this was delayed, pending the Ventura’s arrival, as plans had already been made for the north bound passengers, including Sir Hugh Allen and Bishop Bennett, to continue their voyage on the Ventura, which at that time was expected to arrive- at 8 a.m. on Sunday. in the forenoon the Ventura sighted the Tahiti, and by 1.50 p.m., all the passengers, members of the crew, mail, light baggage and a consignment of gold, was aboard the Ventura. The Tahiti finally sank at 4.42 p.m., and the rescue ship proceeded to Pago Pago.”

It is explained here by nautical men that the delay in the arrival of the Ventura at Pago Pago is obviously due to very careful and slow navigation, made necessary by the ship being compelled to cut across from one navigation route to another, and that the danger of unfamiliar reefs, etc., is compelling Captain Meyer to proceed cautiously.’

There was a mass of splintered upperwork still floating as the Ventura steamed away. Captain Meyer, when informed that in San Francisco plans were being made to accord him and his crew a reception as heroes, modestly declaimed any outstanding credit for what had been an act of duty performed according to the code of the sea. “The Ventura did her duty. She could do no more, and would never do less. The bravery of the little Penybryn must not be overlooked. Her master, with much more limited facilities, in an even finer sense performed an act of duty in accordance with the code of the sea.”

Mr Davidson is enthusiastic about the part played by radio: “It was our link, seemingly not only with the agencies for our rescue, but more to keep the world informed of the desperate efforts made to keep the ship afloat.” The radio operator continued: “The passengers got off just in time. The forward part of the ship was listed heavily, with her nose much deeper than her stem. The bulkheads were giving way and the water had risen in between decks to scarcely fifteen feet from the main deck. Just then the crew were transferred. When all humans were aboard the Ventura, an attempt was made to save the mail. All the letters were saved, but newspapers and parcels were lost. All of a sudden the Tahiti lurched, rolled a bit, and then plunged bow foremost, disappearing from view. All the passengers of the Tahiti are deeply grateful to the captain and crew for keeping the vessel afloat as long as she did.” VENTURA DELAYED. RADIO COMMUNICATION RESTORED. United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright. (Received August 20, 9.45 p.m.) PAGO PAGO, August 20. Although the Ventura had expected to arrive here at 1 p.m., she has not made the speed which she hoped, and

is therefore delayed. She has, however, finally escaped from the radio pocket which shut her off from communication with the shore, and there has resulted an exchange of communications between Captain Meyer and Governor Gatewood S. Lincoln, of American Samoa. Various passengers have also wirelessed brief accounts of their experiences to newspaper correspondents.