RIMUTAKA'S EVENTFUL VOYAGE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2322, 2 December 1914, Page 7

RIMUTAKA'S EVENTFUL VOYAGE

HOW SHE ELUDED THE GERMANS. The Naw Zealand Shipping Coinpany'e steamer Rimutaka, which brought nearly 400 immigrants to Queensland, had quite an eventful passage from .London. According to Australian files received in Wellington yesterday, it appears that in the Mediterranean, on October 12, the steaiuer passed packets with troops at 7 a.m. The troopships wero convoyed by gunboats, and were passed on tho port 6ide, and cheers wore given and answered by the men on the convoys. At 3 p.m. an English cruiser passed without speaking. It ivas surmised that she was joining the convoy whioh had been seen in the morning. At midnight on Friday, October 16, the Rimutaka steamed into Port Said, and immediately preparations were made for coaling. While at anchor six large German steamers, as war priies, passed to join the convoy going to Alexandria. Before entering the Suez Canal those on the Rimutaka had the pleasure of seeing a lirst-ciass British cruiser, whilst near her were captured German vessels. On October 21, when entering the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, sis cruisers were passed. According to instructions given by the Admiral, the .captain of the Rimutaka was ordered to call at Aden for further orders as to the course he would have to take on leaving that port. It was midnight when the Rimutaka reached port, and came to a stop about three miles oil' the harbour. The port steamer approached, and an officer came on board and gave the necessary instructions to the captain. After an hour's stay the Rimutaka proceeded full steam ahead. On Thursday, October 29, the outline of the south-west coast of India was seen in the distance, and Cape Comorin came in sight at 1 p.m. It was afterwards learned that the German cruiser Emden had been very busy in this locality only a few days bofore. Next-day Colombo wa3 reached, and a Government official gave instructions regarding the future course of the ship. Several cruisers could be Seen lying in the harbour. At 7.15 a.m. the journey was continued, a large oruiser leading the way. On Sunday, November 8, the course changed again, as the captain received a wireless message that a German cruiser was looking for the Rimutaka. Beautiful weather prevailed to Thursday Island.