MANNING MERCHANT SHIPS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1919, 29 November 1913, Page 7

MANNING MERCHANT SHIPS.

EASY ACHIEVEMENT. MAUNGANUI & WAHINE SAILCREWS FOR FOUR BOATS. Seamen and firomon who appearently thought that going out would prevent steamers leaving Wellington seem now to havo become conscious of mistako. So far as tho striko lias gono tho manning of deserted ships has novelproved insuperablo, and ■ yesterday saw a crowning elfort by tho Shipping Companies. The Corinthic's 38 men, who quitted work on Thursday night, returned to tho ship, and tho Wiiito Star steamer pushed on for Lj'ttelton yesterday afternoon. Her departure was a blow to strikc-steerors, but as it happened tho Union Company went further.

At 8 a.m. yesterday 13S sailors, firemen, and trimmers were required to man four steamers —Maungamii, Waliine, Wairuna, and Kaiapoi—and- at o p.m. eaoh vessel had a full crow. In point of fact, six moro men than wero necessary volunteered to ship on the Maungamii, and tlip same number had to be refused on tho Waliinc. On tlieso two steamers over 100 men wero wanted, and there was no difficulty in securing them. Tho-outstanding featuro of yesterday's developments was tho fact that' tho Maimganui—tho fourth largest steamer in tho Union Company's fleet—was manned by 53 volunteers, and departure taken for Sydney on time.

Maunganui Cheered. Amidst mia-h cheering tho Maunganui went out for Sydney at 6.10 p.m. Sho was manned by Arbitrationists and captains,, oilicors, and engineers of tho Union Company. Seldom, if over, has a vessel of her sizo left Wellington so well manned. In addition to Captain Worrall, arid his four officers, there woro six extra officers on board. Down below in tho engine-room, Mr. Moody, the chief engineer, had his own seven engineers and six extra engineers, to Sielp. With tho 53 Arbitrationists, 11 officers, and 13 engineers, thero wero ; 77 of a ship's company (not including stewards) on board.

Precisely at 6.5 p.m. tho after gangway was hauled up, and, fivo minutes later, tho jMaimganui commenced to hack out from the Queen's Wharf. A largo crowd looked on, and, as' tho steamer drew out, cheer after cheer went up. The cheers were answered by members of tho crew and passengers. Somcoiio 011 board shouted: "Aro we down-hearted?" and back camo tho answer; "No!" from a hundred throats. Tho stewards formed tho only sullen element in tho scene. One, apparently, could not restrain himself, and after having given vent to his feelings with a decided "Booh!" his head disappeared through a porthole.

Cood Head of Steam Up. Tho Maunganui moved out into the stream just as if nothing had happened. Thero was no hitch-or delay. Everything worked smoothly. AVith her new crew still cheering, sho stood on down tlifl- harbour. If tho majority of tho spectators had waited they might liavo observed that steam was issuing from her blow-off pipe as sho passed tho man-o'-war buoy. To those who understood .what that meant, it was quite .evident that tho now firemen and trimmers had mado an oxcellent'start. It will bo remembered that when tho Maunganui seamen and firemen camo out oil Wednesday ovoning another 53 men wero found to tako tho vessel to Lyttelton, in a' little';over an--hour. It appears that the'stewards on board refused to servo tho new men, and -they had to look after , themselves.' : ' This state of affairs was no douLt the causa of yesterday's demonstration, which was madeby some of the stewards.

Wahlno Fully Manned. jjuch tho same conditions prevailed in-,regard to tho, Wahino. Hero there was .a superabundance of offers by experienced men- and others to take tho boat to Lyttelton last evening. This vessel also carried six extra engineers, bringing her complement up to 13. Several of tho Union Company's captains and officers also signed on as A.B.'s. AVlien the AVahine left the Glasgow Wharf at 8.20 p.m., sho had 0110 of tlio most experienced crews which has over left Wellington in a forry steamer. Altogether, somo fifty Arbitrationists signed on as seamen, firemen, and trimmers.