A RACE FOR LIFE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2539, 13 August 1915, Page 6

A RACE FOR LIFE

CHAPLAIN'S EXCITING EXPERIENCE. ' Exciting experiences are described by Chaplain-Captain H. L. Blamires, who shared a cabin with the Rev. Father Richards, of Canterbury, on tlio Commodore, a transport hospital ship, which took 350 Australians from the Dardanelles to Alexandria in tliQ middle of May. One afternoon, midway between Smyrna and Athens, the conning-tower and periscope of a German submarine were sighted about four miles away. Tlio ship turned stem on, and stokers and firemen wcro double-banked, until nearly thirteen knots were got out of the old tub. There was one lifebelt in the clergymen's cabin, and each insisted on tho other weaving it. A serious dispute arose, and was only settled by giving tho lifebolfc to the sergeant-major for tile uso of one of his men. Tho conning-tower came nearer. As there was neither gun nor rifle ammunition oil board, tho captain could do nothing but try to increase speed. At 3.45 p.m. Chaplain Blamires asked that prayers should be allowed when : the enemy was within striking distance. At 4 p.m. tho submarine was much, closer, and it was thought that half an hour would end tho suspense. Tho nearest land was between four and fivo miles away. The hatchways were loosed and fflie beats cleared. There was no fluster. Tho two clergymen wero busy, but prayed silently. Then, to their surprise, tho submarine gradually dropped astern and finally tlisappeared.' Apparently it thought that tho Commodore was hardly worth a torpedo that costs £1000. "Next morning was Sunday," Chaplain Blamires adds, "and needless to say, Father Richards liad several confessions in tho morning; and my service on deck was attended by practically all 'hands, and the thanksgivings wero devout. Somo said they had never felt tho benefit of a service so much before."