SHIPPING PERSONNEL.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1923, Page 4

SHIPPING PERSONNEL.

AN INCIDENT OF THE AVAR. LONDON. .Inly 26. The recent death of Captain Richard A. Kelly a few days after lie brought the Tainni into Bondini recalls the occasion on which he saved that vessel during the war. It was at six o'clock on April Bth, 1918, when the Tainni, which was under convoy with oilier steamers, was hit in the how by a German torpedo. They were just entering the English Channel. Within ten minutes of being struck the passtngers ami crew were all in the boats. An accompanying destroyer took on hoard the pasengers. Meanwhile the Tainni began t.o settle by the bows. After some time, however, she seemed to cease sinking, and Captain Kelly got his officers and crew on hoard again anil set his stokers to get up steam. An attempt to steam forward was impossible, so they they turned the ship round and went astern at five knots an liour. All the compasses had been destroyed. hub Captain Kelly relied on two trawlers which were in attendance lor directions. At 12 o’clock next day a tug came out from Plymouth and took the vessel in tow. She was gradually sinking, hut arrived in Falmouth harbour just in time to be salved. Had another hour elapsed the Tainni would piobnbly have keen lost. The only casually throughout was a sprained ankle. In addition, the cargo was all sale .

Captain Kelly bail been unwell throughout his last voyage. A day or p.m after his arrival he went to Guy'.-, Hospital under the care of a specialist eonuecied with that institution. On lilt same night, however, he (bed suddenly of arterial degeneration and thrombosis. He was 62 years of age. and he leaves a widow and two daught-

erst who live at Appledore, Devonshire, lie mis buried ill Norwood Cemetery. Them war a huge attendance of office is am! nun front the Shaw. Savill and Albion Company's steamers in port, and jiitgs were Mown at hall mast. One of the first ships commanded by the late Captain Kelly was the old clipper Lutterworth. which is now a coal hulk in New Zealand waters. Captain A. J. Charman. of the Waimnii.'i. is to take command of the Tnili ii i. News has been received by wireless from the Fort Hardy that Chief Engineer Campbell died on hoard the ship im the Bay of Biscay on July 2Uth. The deceased officer had been with the Commonwealth am.l Dominion Line for a great many years.