AORANGIS TRIP

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1925, 6 December 1913, Page 7

AORANGIS TRIP

THE .SCRATCH CREW AVORK WELL PASSKNf; liltS' TESTIMONIAL. At -1.30 p.m. yesterday the R.M.S., Aorangi arrived in the stream after a protracted voyage of 6 days <U hours ironi Sydney. The vessel lel't tho New South Wales port at noon on Sunday last, after some trouble luul been experienced in procuring a crew. On tho previous Saturday afternoon the chances of getting a crew did not seem entirely promising, and it also appeared that trouble with tiie ship's stewards was likely. During tho afternoon the stewards held a meeting, and it was decidcd to remain on the ship. In tho evening, however, six of them went ashore to obtain clothing and did not return. Their non-appearance made

matters more difficult, Iml. ii was not. lung he fore mljst it tiU-s wen' pini'ined from other steamers. |(y noon on .Sunday everyl lung was in order and Hie vessel Ml Inr \\ elliugton. Six of I lie steerage passenger.s accepted work in the stokehold, and had their passage money ri'lnnded. In addition to this tlie.v were paid the rutin"- rate of wages fur tiring, l-ate on Sunday night had weather was oucountereil, and this alleeted tho amateur firemen considerably. At 2 a.m. oil Monday the vessel was "liove-to. in order to give the firemen a spell. It was blowing hard from the south at the time, and matters were generally uncomfortable. Under the circumstances, however, tho steamer put up n good The following table shows the milcngo covered daily:—Sunday, noon, to Monday, noon, 215 miles; Monday, noon,- to Tuesday, noon, .195 miles; Tuesday, noon, to Wednesday, noon, 219 miics; Wednesday, noon, to Thursday. noon, W0 miles: Thursday, noon, to Friday, noon, 270 miles; Friday, noon, to 4.30 p.m. Friday, 54 miles; total distance, 1230 miles.

When at sea early yesterday morning iv deputation of through passengers to Lvtteltnn waited on Captain Hammond, and slated that, if the' vessel reached Wellington in time for them to catch tho south boat, they would promise to give the firemen £5 between them. No direct action was taken in tho matter, but, just before the vessel arrived yesterday afternoon, Mr. Lipscombe, on behalf of a few passengers, presented to Captain Hammond the sum of £0 Is., the proceeds of a collection, for distribution amongst' the firemen. On behalf of fho passengers, Mr. Linscembe thanked Captain Hammond for the manner in which he, bis officers, and crew had brought llie ship to port under sucli adverse conditions.