STRANDED seamen

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1930, Page 2

STRANDED seamen

»* EFFORT& TO -LEAVE. •-i.VuA' ENGLAND. •

• LONDON, April 25. i How two young Australian's unsuccessfully tried to stow away to’ Australia three times,, and on each accession were caught and imprisoned, is told by Mr CarrUgan, chief clerk atAustralia House, ' ■ ( From the crew of a German steamer 26 out of a total . 0f.35 v Australians and'Germans deserted in' Melbourne and ; Sydney. The Australians shipped thinking they would be able -tp return, by the same ship, only ( to find on arrival that the German law requires ships to be manned by their own nations. “It is completely. different trying to leave England without money from trying to leave Australia,” said Mr Carrugan. “Twenty-five per cent, of British seaman are unemployed and it is not feasable to expect to get a ship here,” ,

v Two yonim Australians, desperately stranded in London, stowed away three times unsuccessfully. At first they started for New Zealand on a passenger 'steamer leaving Southampton, where they were discovered before sailing a*nd promptly given a month in gaol. ? Immediately they came out they stowed away again. and this time reached Dunkirk before being discovered. After /two.' months, in gaol there they slowed away la third time, reaching South Africa, jyliere. the,,shipping company ..sent them bppk to, England. This time ~they were?-.,sentenced to three months.:-l

“They -were-nice yopng chaps,” said Mr Gumigan.' ‘I have not seen them since their la'sk' release' and presume they successfully stowed away at the fourth try.

“Paddy Burke, of Sydney—stranded from ah Australian steamer—was the only man who ever thanked me for anything! T did. J. helped him to get a ship hacjfl »pd he reached Australia he straightway sent me a pound note on behalf of' other distressed

mariners.”