WARTIME AT SEA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20071, 18 October 1939, Page 2

WARTIME AT SEA

LINER FROM ADEN EERIE NIGHT SCENES THE CREW AN INSPIRATION SYDNEY, Sept. 25. How 700 men, women and children tried to lead a normal life at sea in a British liflpr, when uppermost in their minds whs the fear that at any moment the ship might toe torpedoed, was described toy passengers who arrrved from London. They said that they felt that they were members of a large family bound together toy a common danger. They “kept their chins up.” refused to discuss their fears, and tried to toe normal. “The nights were the worst,” said Dr. Yorke Pittar, of Sydney. “When Great Britain declared 'war on Germany we were at Aden —a long way from home. At first we were all stunned. The whole atmosphere of the ship changed. At night the gay lounges •became ghostly places,, with a dull blue light here and there. In the smoke-room it was the same. Just a blue light, with ghostly people talking earnestly around the tables. It was nerve-racking at first. “Bedtime a Plague” “At times you felt that you must get fresh air. You stubbed your cigarette and walked about outside. Some of the nights were so black that if you put your hand in front of your eyes you could not see It. Bedtime was a plague. When you went to your cabin you were cut off from all your fellow-passengers. It was difficult to sleep. “It was interesting to observe the reactions of other people. Fears were cloaked in an admirable air of indifference. The crew was an inspiration. They carried on, and their very actions made all of us feel that it was just a normal voyage. Wc saw moving pictures at night. In the murky light we played games, and sometimes we danced. More often we just talked. The experience was unforgettable. Unpleasant at times, but always inspiring.” “The Italians arid the Germans, and the Austrians seemed to be overwhelmed,” said Mr. N. Christian. “They were a silent family. Everyday they watched the news bulletins, but “the news was ..brief. We did all we could to relieve the' strain. Some of the children helped the sailors to paint the railing grey. There were some young women, also, who worked with a paint brush now and again. We seemed to be cooped up so much. That was the miserable part of it.”