TAHITI DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1930, Page 5

TAHITI DISASTER

PASSING ERS INTER.VIEWED,

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) HONOLULU, Aug. 26

Mr William Griffiths, of .Melbourne, described the tense hours aboard the Tahiti awaiting rescue when he arrived by the Ventura this morning. • Tne passengers, when in the lounge expecting momentarily to enter the boats, maintained good spirits, singing and listening to the radio. Tneir outward calm masked an inward anxiousness, but there was not one case of hysterics. When spending two hours in tile boats alter leaving the Tahiti, in a somewhat rough sea, he “felt as if they were rowing to Rarotonga.” It was a wonderful feeling when, the Ventura appeared. The cheery smile with which the assistant punser welcomed .us was truly marvellous.

All passengers interviewed give the highest praise of the officers and crew of the Tahiti and Ventura. £7O was collected for the Tahiti’s engineers and steward^. Messrs Fred Walker, William Griffiths, Sir Hugh Allen, Harold Rabiing and J. J. Wool are a committee to purchase outfits in Honolulu in appreciation of the Ventura’s officers and crew.

Mr B, T,.. Isgrig, w .of JNlount. Isaac, (Queensland), eu route to Russia said it was an interesting experience to look (back upon, but approhensive at the time, The officefi* and crew were on the job every .-minute and meals were served regularly ajs if nothing happened. The only hardship, was when the lights went out and the temporarily 'lack of radio which was later repaired. But how we cheered the Penbryn when she hove in sight about midnight, also the Ventura next day after being called three times to the boats. The cool efficiency and conduct of the officers inspired confidence in every passenger. Mr Fred Walker, of Melbourne, heard a noise at 4.30 from the engine room and shortly afterwards we were notified to don the lifebelts. Walker inspected the engine room and found the engineers working up to their necks in water repairing the damage. He declared the engine crew’s conduct i was wonderful, working steadily for isixty hourfL trying to* keep the water checked.

After the Ventura was sighted every boat was manned and afloat within twelve minutes. We spent an hour and a half on the sea and all wer,e transferred without even getting a wetting, ' !l ‘ The most pleased passenger was the thirteen years old lan Lockheed, of Mildura, ’ (Australia), who enjoyed sleeping on the deck. He was thrilled by the transfer in boats. His clothe# mostly went down with his families’ tin trunks, but lan looks forward to getting a new outfit in San Francisco. always said it was hard to get me up ; in the morning, but I got out of bed so fast thait'l surprised myself,” he said,