R.M.S. CORINTHIC HELD UP.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 8

R.M.S. CORINTHIC HELD UP.

STOKEHOLD STAFF REFUSE DUTY. IWENTY-SEVEN ARRESTS MADE. SAILORS & STEWARDS REMAIN LOYAL. Just as the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's big liner Corinthic was about to leave Wellington for Lvttelton last evening, 27 of her greasers, firemen and trimmers refused dutv, and were promptly placed under arrest, and escorted to the I.anibtou Quay Police Station by fifteen regular constables."" * It was quite evident that there was serious discontent amongst this particular section of the Corinthie's crew yesterday. Many of the stokehold staff had been ashore during tho day, and several of them had been seen in company with some of the men who had lelt the Maiingauui the previous evening. There is little doubt that influence- ashore was brought to bear on the Corinthie's men to come out. It was only quite recently that the majority of them had assisted to put 2000 tons of coal on board from hulks in the stream. It is stateel that at first they refused to handle the coal. When they saw other members of the crew coaling ship the men who refused duty yesterday approached Captain Hart and r.sked to bo allowed to assist in the work.

All tho trouble has, it is stated, been caused by three or four agitators on beard, and some of tho Jlaunganui's men. At 5 p.m. yesterday the whole of tho stokehold stalf, numbering 34 men, wero mustered on deck and .addressed by Captain Hart, tho commander of tho Corinthic. After a few preliminaries Captain Hart said: "Do you refuse to obey my orders?" "\es," canto the unanimous answer. "What are your grievances?" , "Tlio ship is carrying 'scab' cargo, and 'scabs' are aboard." Subsequently the men wero dismissed, and tho police wero informed of what had happened. A little later the men wore again assembled. Tbcy were drawn up in lino on deck, and each man was asked individually if he still refused to obey his commander's orders. Twentyseven of them replied in tho affirmative, and these were promptly placed under arrest. During tho interval between the two meetings, wiser counsels evidently prevailed, and seven of tho greasers, firemen, and trimmers decided to stand by their commander. One of the loyal men has been in tho Corinthic for 28 voyages, and some of his companions have also been in the ship for lengthy periods.

Men Marched Ashore. The firemen were formed up two deep, and, escorted by the regular constables, they wero marched down tho gangway. J)uriiig the descent tho remainder of tlio crew of the Corinthic, who were gathered at the ship's side, laughed- at. their companions anil expressed their disapproval of tho action they had taken. The procession reached the head of the Queen's Wharf without further incident, however, and turned in the direction of Customhouse Quay. When the contingent Was about opposito the Union Company's offices one of tlio firemen attempted to play a Another commenced to sing. It was no use, however, the musicians could .not rouse their mates, and with sullen laces the procession we-nded its wav through the barrier by the..J Shed, anil across the road towards the police station.

Crowd Dispersed. As the men were passing tho Missions to Seamen Hall a group of persons, numbering about thirty, came out -of the building. One of'the crowd called for "three cheers for the heroes." Immediately there was a movement in the escort's ranks, and when the cheering crowd saw six stalwart policemen approaching, they slunk oft back into tho building, without a word. Save for one man trying to get amongst the arrested men, there were no further incidents before the station was reached. Here each man was searched, and his name taken, and all were lodged in the cells for the liight.

Loyal Seamen and Stewards, When approached last evening the officers of tho Corinthic stated that the seven men mentioned, and the whole of the sailors and stewards remained loyal to the ship. In fact, had tho owners decided to proceed to Lyttelton without the deserters, tho ship could have been worked by the men who had remained on board. Included among those who were arrested were some good workers, and several of them had made seven or eight voyages in tho Corinthic. The men will appear at tho Magistrate's Court this morning at 10 o'clock. They will be charged with disobeying the lawful commands of their superior officer. Each of them, if convicted, will be liable to a month's imprisonment. It is anticipated that the Corinthic will get away for Lyttelton to-day. '