OFFICERS TAKE SHIP TO SEA

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 21, 18 October 1937, Page 3

OFFICERS TAKE SHIP TO SEA

-Presa Aisoclation.)

Crew Strikes for Hour's Overtime

UNPRECEDENTED ACTION

(By Telegraph-

: AUCKLAND, Last Night. ; To avoid peril to his sbip wben tbe crew went asbore at Tokomaru Bay on Friday evening owing to a dispute, Capt. A. F. Watcblin, master and owner of tbe Watcblin Line motor-ship Port Tauranga, put to sea witb tbe vessel manned only by ber officers. Altbougb the action, wbicb bas few preeedents in New Zealand 's shipping history, was admittedly in contravenlion of sea regulations, it is claimed that it was foreed upon the captain by 6tress of tbreatening weather. Tbe Port Tauranga arrived at Auckland from Tokomaru Bay on Saturday. afternoon, and tbe crew bas left for Auckland by road. On tbe arrival of the Port Tauranga at Auckland Captain Watcblin stated that shortly before ber time of depar* ture from Tokomaru Bay for Auckland the crew's delegate informed tbe cbief officers that tbe crew had ceased work owing to a dispnte over a claim for one bour's overtime at Auckland which had not been allowed. The went to tea and at 6.15 p.m. were ordered by the cbief officer to turn to and prepare tbe 6hip for sea. He said tbey refused to obey the order and Captain Watcblin informed tbe delegate that tbe time and place were not opportune to discuss tbe overtime dispute. He pointed out that tbe Port Tauranga was in an .open and dangerous port. The wind was from tbe sea and was Tising and rough weather was tbreatening. For tbe safety of tbe sbip it was necessary to proeeed to sea before dark, it being dangerous to remain any longer alongside tbe jetty. Beasonable time for tbe men to make a decision was given, stated Captain Watcblin, and they were ordered to "turn to" by the chief officer. Instead pf obeying the order the men took their clothes ashore and left the Port Tauranga. "As the weather was threatening from the south-east and blowing right on to the jetty with increasing swell it was not safe for the vessel to remain alongside overnight," said the master, who added that he had no option but to take the ship to sea with the assistance of the officers and without the crew. Owing to the increasing wind and sea he did not consider it safe to anchor offi Tokomaru Bay, and the Port Tauranga was headed for Auckland. The Port Tauranga, which is the latest addition to the Watchlin Line's fleet, is discharging Australian cargo on the coast. She left Auckland for Tokomaru Bay on Tuesday morning to discharge 750 tons of Australian ha,rdwood for use in the construction of a. new wharf.