PASSENGERS CAME ASHORE AS THOUGH FROM PICNIC

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 January 1947, Page 6

PASSENGERS CAME ASHORE AS THOUGH FROM PICNIC

THEIR TROUBLES BEGAN ON LAND (Press Association) WELLINGTON. Jan. 20. Early this morning small vessels from the port took off the Wanganella’s passengers, totalling nearly 400, without mishap. The passengers were brought safely to the Queen’s Wharf where an ordinary Customs inspection was made.

The only thing to suggest there was an emergency was the distribution of refreshments at the wharf to the passengers, who landed with bare necessities as their only luggage. The passengers came ashore in brilliant sunshine, much in the manner of people returning from a harbour excursion. This spectacle of unworried passengers disembarking, from 5.10 a.m. onwards, from small vessels, had the same sense of unreality as the disaster itself. A bump was felt by nearly all on board when the ship struck the reef, but it was insufficient to cause alarm or disturb some sleepers. The passengers generally did not rea-

lise the Wanganella had struck Barretts Reef and was in a position which might have been perilous in unfavourable weather. However, within a few minutes a report of what had happened spread through the ship and

incredulous passengers assembled on the deck wearing life jackets, on instructions from members of the crew.

THOUGHT IT WAS THE ANCHOR The passengers’ reactions were typified by a visitor from Brisbane, Miss E. L. Dickson, who said: “I had just retired and put out the light. There was a shock, but it really did not seem alarming. Indeed, I thought the anchor had been dropped, and 1 remarked to another woman in the cabin, 'Haven’t we arrived in port early?’ Then a steward came around and said we must put on life-jackets. We all went up on deck. There was not the slightest sign of panic. Everybody was calm and good humoured, and there was hot tea for all within five minutes, it seemed. It was quite a harmless sort of shipwreck and I went down to the cabin after a while to complete my packing. The worst thing is everyone had a sleepless night.

TROUBLES CAME WHEN ASHORE The passengers’ troubles began when they got ashore. Those whose destination was Wellington ana who had accommodation reserved were fortunate.

Hotels in the city had a hectic time this morning turning down requests for accommodation. Most hotels are fully booked by racegoers, and all that could lie offered in many cases was a wash and a rest in the lounge. The Tourist and Police Departments and the Huddart Parker Company all did their utmost to assist the stranded passengers. By arrangement between the company and the Air Department a number of men v.ih be accommodated at the Shelly Bay Base, and some of the women it the Women's

Hostel at Worser Bay. The Huddart Parker Company’s offices were besieged by persons who were to join the Wanganella at Wellington this week. Everything possible is being done by the company for them, and for the passengers Drought ashore to-day. An official of the company went out to the Wanganella early this morning and again before noon, together with a Lloyd's surveyor. NO CARGO EXCEPT LUGGAGE The Wanganella was carrying no cargo, but. a large quantity of passengers’ luggage. It was stated this afternoon that the passengers who had booked by the Wanganella for Sydney will probably be accommodated in the Dominion Monarch and the Rangitiki, which are leaving for England via Australia about the end of the month. The business of transferring luggage from the liner to the harbour ferry Cobar was tedious in the absence of cargo nets. Forty-six ifu.kages taken aboard the Cobar this morning were all lowered by light line from A dock. The handle of one or two bags being lowered broke, and the bags dropped into the sea. but. were rescued by t] le Cobar's crew with a boathook.