"EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2427, 5 April 1915, Page 6

"EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME"

' SUPPLYING BRITAIN'S BATTLE- , CRUISEIIS 6.5. MURITAI FROM HOME. An interesting story is told by the officers of the (J. and D. liner Muritai, which arrived at Wellington from Barry, England, direct yesterday morning. . Since the vessel left Lytteiton in June last year those on board have been through 6orue exciting times. From the uighfc before war was declared against Germany till the first week in January the Muritai was under Admiralty control as one of the supply ships to the first battle-cruiser squadron (which included H.M.S. New Zealand) in the North Sea. As a matter of fact, sho supplied tlie great battleships with 6tores, etc., the day after the Heligoland naval light. To a Dominion reporter yesterday, Mr. C. Hersee, fourth officer, gave a full account of what had happened since the Muritai last visited New Zealand. Ho said: "After we had completed discharge at London orders came from the Admiralty for us to stand by at Chatham dockyards, so we proceeded to our star tion and on August 4—the day before war-was declared—we had commonccd to take in stores, ammunition, etc. Our funnel was painted black and other alterations made. In fact, the old Muritai went out of existence for the time being,, and we were known in future as H.M.M.FiA. No. 9 (His Majesty's Merchant Fleet; Auxilliary No. 9), All ourordinary crew were paid' off and bluejackets substituted. Captain J. Firth and Mr..:B. Sherrington, chief officer, .were granted temporary commissions in the -RrMrR-r) and • Mr. Chappel, chief engineer, was rated as engineer-lieuten-ant. Wo also had fifteen petty officers, a master-at-arms, a gunner, and a pay-master-on board. On August 17 we orders to proceed to a certain naval base with instructions to meet and supply the first battle-cruiser squadron, consisting of H.M.S. Lion, Queen Mary, Princess Royal, and New Zealand. It was a' glorious sight to see the might : 'of England's fleet all ready for action.' "For several days we were in close to'ilch with the fleet, and as soon as t-lioy had returned from practice, etc., we supplied them with goods, ammunition, etc." Heligoland Fight. "It was on August 29 that the most memorable event occurred. On that date the battle-cruisers came in from i the Heligoland fight, which had occurred the preceding day. It was a magnificent sight, and we were fortunate in having to supply H.M.S. Lion and H.M.S. New Zealand. I went on board both men-o'-vrar, and managed to secure a piece of the Lion's deck which had 'been torn off by a 4.7 in. shell from the Germans. The Lion-was hit twice in that action, but one of the shells (which had hit one of the forward turrets) failed to- explode, and dropped on to the deck. Admiral Beatty procured it, and has taken half of the shell to keep as a memento of the fight. "After we had finished our work Admjrai Beatty came on board and complimented the officers and the ship. He said that the Muritai was the finest supply ship out; He appeared to be very interested in us, and asked all about our trade to New Zealand, and said that she was a fine class of cargo carrier. Messages from H.M.S. New Zealand. "Some of the officers from H.M.S. New Zealand also came on board to see us. Thoy were very interested to learn that we were a New Zealand trader and had left these shores at 6uch a recent date. They were full of inquiry about people living in Auckland, Wellington, and other towns, and wanted to snow all the latest news. "Christmas in-the North Sea was well spent, although the weather was bad." Dense fogs were everywhere, and a very vigilant watch had to be kept. On account of the New Zealand Government requiring tonnage to take New Zealand products away we were reluctantly recalled, and left our base for Chatham during tlie first week in January. "Yes,' Mr. Hersee' 6aid in answer to a- question, "we were very sorry to have to leave. . It was the experience of a lifetime for everybody on board." j