STORM-BOUND SAILORS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1925, Page 3

STORM-BOUND SAILORS

AN accomodation problem. At ( ELAND, August 13. Some remitrkafile scenes were witnessed in the A.AI.C.A. hostel and on Princes wharf shortly hetore midnight last night, when sleeping accomodoatiou was found for over 2000 American sailors, the majority oi whom were not shore leave men hut were prevented from returning to the war-lop- »y Ike heavy sea meiiing in the liaiTmur. • •ii Tuesday night about did men "ere provided for cm shore. Arrange had been made to accomodate a similar number last evening. Shortly alter p p. ii!. the weather been me so boisterous that it. was found impossible to run the motor pinnacles and the last boat load was taken off shore at about half past nine o' clock, leaving nearly .2000 sailors and officers to join the men who had leave lor the night. The several hundred men who were gathered at the launch landings realised that late arrivals would enjoy but crude comforts, and they properly sought shelter at either the A.AI.C.A. or in the accomodation shed on Princes’s wharf. Many ol the officers | found rooms at hotels. Ihe 101 l heels at the Y.M.C.A. were soon filled, and by eleven o’clock TOO stfbtcTters on Princes wharf were token. Blankets wore in alnmtant supply at both places, and as the sailors drifted in in groups they cheerfully accepted the situation. The scene at the Y.M.C.A. was remarkable. Chairs were first requisitioned and those lucky enough to secure them feared Lo relinquish theii seats in search of blankets, as dozens less fortunate hovered near ready to take their places. The olfeet of sea training was soon evident. Sailors .stretched themselves on benches, tables and shelles without apparent discomioit. Slumbering men were balanced on window ledges less than a loot wide. When 800 were accomodated the premises seemed taxed to tlu-ir lull capacity, hut at midnight no ‘.ewer than 1500 had found' space to seek sleep. Dozens slept sfeting up in chairs and couches. One man lay on an office counter using a cash register as a pillow . The top of every piano was occupied. and ar an early hour this morn ing there was hardly standing room in the building. Before one o'clock this morning more than 1100 sailors had been accomodated on Princes wharf. They were then coming in in. considerable numbers. Four hundred were sleeping on the concrete Hour, and although no pillows were available sacks were plentiful. A few who secured wooden gratings to keep them off the Hour were regarded by their fellows as lucky, Iml

all seemed so tired that there was little time wasted in discussion or dispute. Supper supplies were exhausted long before midnight. I.ate arrivals contented .uemselves with the inevitable chewing gum. and taking their blankets won easy sleep on the chilly concrete floor.