THE PORT KEMBLA.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 20 September 1917, Page 3

THE PORT KEMBLA.

•Nielson, This Day

The orew of the Port Kembla left this morning for Wellington., when they were given a public send-off and conveyed to the wharf by motor c.'irs. Mob!: ' r 'crow had had isuibmarrine experiences. On mate had buen torpedoed no fewer than six times. 'Captain Jack, who has been suffering from tho effects of his lengthy, iml.icrsion, 'waft about frcfel'arday aftarnoon. In a general conversation regarding the loss of the Port Kembla Captain Jacfk said he had .just 3tift the bridge and gone to his cabin when tho explosion occurred. He emerged from his cabin and met strong fumefi l along the passage. Meeting the second officer ho remarked that it seemed like a bomb, the officer .replying "Yes, it looks like it." T'.io captain gave orders for tho to stop, and the Iboats to be goi ready; ho also instructed tho -vireJeps operator to send a message, but the explosion had wrecked tine wireless gear, making it impossible to send a message. The vessel had a list but not sufficient to interfere with the launching of 'boats. Captain Jlack and two officers remained on the steamer till the very last; then they dived, after having gone around the ship to fee that everyone was away.

Tho lights lasted allmost to the last and tli® Port Kembla went down with her whistle blowing.

The behaviour of the crew, Captain Jack states, was excellent, there being no trouble at all. The 'men accepted the position in the bast possible spirits. The officers, Pap tain. Jack added, saved very little. Hie secured some papers and placed tliem in the pocket of his orvercioat, but in the water he had to discard his overcoat and lost the papers njUtcr One or two officers managed to got their papers, bait the rest lost everything.

Captain. Jack specially thanked tlie mayor and' citizens oif Nielsen for the kindness extended to the officers and crew; they could not speak too highily of the treatment they had received there.