THE WIMMERA DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 251, 11 July 1918, Page 5

THE WIMMERA DISASTER

COMPLAINTS BY A SURVIVOR. (Rec. July 10, 9 p.m.) : Sydney, July 10. ' Jfr. W. P. Sedgoboer, ono of tuo survivors of the Witumera, in a Press interviow, expresses tho.opinion that only poreons having legitimate business should bo allowed to travel either oil tho Australian coast or across (ho Pacific during war time. On his trip both to New Zealand and returning to Australia the majority of tho saloon passengers were old men, women, and. children. Quite a number of the passengers were going to New Zoaltind to seo whether Desert Gold or Biplane yns tho. faster aninml., Ho considers it littlo ehort of scandalous that persons unable to look niter themselves in tho event. of • accident should bo allowed to travel by sea when the only object wns pleasure. In view of the experiences on the Wimmora, he suggests that-all exits in ehips should be lighted on a amitar plan to that used in theatres, as under existing conditions as soon .is tho •en-gine-room is flooded the ship is thrown into darkness. Also, that us soon as a vessel reaches its destination tho lifeboats should be thoroughly overhauled. Ho alleges that Hie boat he had to take to when tho accident happened canned no chocolates, and the water was very braokieh. Valuable time was lost m knocking the wooden covers from do lifeboats. Ho always -understood that tho covers had to be removed as soon as a ship sailed. Mr. Sedgebeer makes- a complaint in respect to, the treatment the passengers received in Auokland at the hands of the officiak-Prera Aesn.