WAR CONDITIONS AT SEA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21508, 22 November 1939, Page 8

WAR CONDITIONS AT SEA

Six Weeks’ Voyage To England Agricultural Student’s Experiences LONDON. October 10. Hints that he might be a German spy and suspicions that he was a former convict provided some unexpected amusement for Mr I. D. Blair, until recently assistant biologist at Canterbury Agricultural College, who worked his way home to England from New Zealand in the Port Fairy. The ship left New Zealand before war was declared. Hostilities broke out as she rounded Cape Hom and from then until she docked, the Port Fairy was under Admiralty instructions. She called at several ports not usually on her schedule, and reached England after a voyage of 46 days. Mr Blair, who was awarded the Macmillan Brown Agricultural Scholarship. came to England with the intention of studying at the Imperial College in London. War has made this impossible, and he expects to go to the Rothamsted Experimental Station, where he will conduct research in plant pathology. The Port Fairy had a very rough trip to the Cape. Mr Blair said on arrival in London. The first 2000 miles out from New Zealand were particularlv uncomfortable, for the ship met with a head-on gale and tremendous seas. Scrubbed Floors As a passage worker in the stewards’ department, he had to take his turn at scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and carrying trays of food from the galley to the saloon pantry. Washing and scrubbing the decks was also part of his duty, with a two hour look-out in the masthead cockpit every day. wnen news of the war was received, said Mr Blair, there was some genuine concern as to whether the Port Fairy would reach England safely, for during the Munich crisis German U-boats had been reported off South America. A complete black-out of the ship was ordered, all portholes were painted over, and all external lights removed, including the regulation navigation lamps. Lifeboat drill became an earnest and serious occupation and no longer a casual pastime. Lifeboats were left uncovered, fully provisioned, and swinging on the davits, ready for instant release. Watches were doubled.

Mr Blair was selected for extra duty in the foremast- look-out since “they seemed to thing I had good eyes and a tough inside.” He was told to regard his worldly possessions as those which he could carry on him. and to sleep in his clothes. He was particular to see that he carried all his money and his passport. A torpedo would mean the loss of foodstuffs to the value of £250 000 as well as his own four large trunks!

Aoart from the captain and wireless staff, nobody in the 'shin knew anything about, the Admiralty’s instructions. This often had the effect of causing a sense of frustration among th? men. who sometimes became strangely taciturn and easily irritated Two calls were made at South American ports to permit refuelling and camouflaging. A trip ashore was managed at one oort. and. a typical New Zealander. Mr Blair was much pleased to learn of the popularity of Rugby football. English, French. German and Italian ships lay anchored together, and there was some carefree banter among members of the various forecastles. The most serious exchanges were between the French and the Germans. It was after this call that Mr Blair learned with astonishment that some of the crew regarded him as a German spy. It appeared that they thought he possessed an Ayran cast of feature, that he could speak German fluently; his mysterious walks round the ship at night in the darkness of the black-out were also suspect.

As Mr Blair’s German is confined to halting inquiries for food and drink, and other personal comforts, and his evening walks a pleasant recreation, he was much amused. Smiles were also frequent after he had been told that the imaginative woman passengers had decided that the number on his old college football blazer worn durin? working hours, branded him as a former convict. Inquiries were made of the stewards as to the nature of his crime and the length of the term he had served. Mr Blair spent much of his time toward the end of the voyage caring for a Corriedale ram from the Bushey Park Estate, which was consigned to an English buyer. He was instructed to see that “Billy, the Ram.” was exercised every day on the decks. When the ram fell ill Mr Blair was called upon to diagnose and supply a remedy, an undertaking which caused him some anxiety.

In the tropics the New Zealander unfortunately contracted fever, and was in bed for a week. After further calls, well off the normal route. England was at last reached. Outward and inward bound convoys were seen, and a section of the Home Fleet. Overhead aircraft flew continuously on an unending patrol. Everyone was greatly relieved to reach England safely.