INDIAN TRANSPORTS AT SEA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2284, 19 October 1914, Page 7

INDIAN TRANSPORTS AT SEA

AS SEEN FROM THE OSTERLEY

AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE

Mr, Herbert Rawson, of Wellington, who/returned from England by the Ulimaroa last week, gave a Dominion reporter an interesting story of tho voyage out from Home in the R.M.S. Osterley. Incidentally, it might be mentioned that the Osterley's passengers wore most fortunate in witnessing the passage of the transports conveying tho Indian troops through the Red Sea.

Torpedo Boats and Submarines. "We certainly knew war was on from tho momont we left London," said Mr. Rawson. "Only passengers were allowed on the train, and on arrival at the docks our tickets were examined four times and names asked. Everything being in order, we were allowed to embark. On tho passage down the Thames, submarines and torpedo boats were to be seen at short intervals, and when the Osterley was nearing Gravesend a small steamer called a halt, aud inquiries were made to see if wo had any Germans on board. An officer took the number of passengers, also the quantity of cargo we had on board. It was 'evening passing Dover. Twelve searchlights wore playing round the harbour and out to sea continuously. Several submarines and torpedo boats came aud had a look at us, but we were allowed to proceed. Next morning brought us to Plymouth to wait for mails. The first order received was one telling the captain of the Osterley to disconnect the ship's wireless gear. Eleven steam trawlers passed on their way to the inner harbour. They wero under command of the Navy, and were being drilled in 'mine-sweeping, preparatory to being sent to tho North Sea. Nobody was allowed to land at Plymouth or Gibraltar. From Gibraltar we went direct to Port Said, leaving out Toulon, Naples,' and Taranto, but passing close to Malta. - /

The Osterley Fired On. "About 11.80 on the second night out from Gibraltar tho passengers were startled by a gun being fired. The Osterley came to a standstill, and two torpedo boats shot out from tho darkness, passed closely under our stern and past our bows, read the name of the steamer, and then allowed us to proceed. Early next morning a cruiser and two torpedo boats appeared, asked our name, and then passed out of sight. At Port Said there was a British cruiser cleared for action. Three hearty cheors wore given, and they were returned from the man-o'-war with a perfect roar. Indian Transports at Sea. "Our first afternoon in the Red Sea was most exciting. Wo haci heard about tho Indian troops, and wo were expeoting to pick up tho transports any tim&. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon a faint cloud on tho horizon told us that they wero coming. Soon' there were cries of 'There they are' Down they came towards us, covering a front of one and a half miles. Leading was a graceful cruiser, cleared for action. Then came two lines of transports. Another cruiser, and then four more transports. Some of . the transports uamo quite close. They wero crowded with troops and horses. The Osterley's 1100 passengers cheered and cheered again, and they were answered repeatedly. Tho last cruiser was only 100 yards away, and sho gave us a rousing return cheer. I don't think that thero was a pulse on board the Osterley that did not' beat with renewed vigour at that wonderful sight in tho Red Sea. Noxt morning another cruiser and seven transports woro passed. We were told that thero wero sixty transports conveying the Indian troops, but we had got out of xUeir course. Never will I forget the magnificent sight of tho approach and passing of thoso transports. As they faded out of sight in the burning Red Sea we all felt a wonderful pride in tho unity of the Empire.

News of the Emdcn. "On our arrival at Colombo the disquieting news of the Emden having sunk five Bteamers in tho Bay of Bengal and being still at large, made us realise that we were not out' of the wood yet. The Osterley left Colombo at midnight, and took quite a different course to tho regular one. Lights wero out for four nights, and we were continually picking lip wireless messages from German, Japanese, and English mon-o'-war. We arrived at Fremantle without having! sighted a steamer or a sail, but half an hour after we had mado the port a British cruiser came in, and she was followed by a Japanese. AVe left Fremantlo together, and kept company till next morning. The warships then turned for Albany. From the last port we have had the ordinary journey to Now Zealand,"

"While tho Osterley was passing through the Suez Canal a large camel corps was observed to be drilling. There were hundreds of camels reeding near by. Everywhere Britain seemed to be ready. In every port since tho Osterley left London there wore German steamers detained or captured. It is estimated that the passengers counted between fifty and sixty.