TERRIFYING EXPERIENCES

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 32, 6 February 1913, Page 2

TERRIFYING EXPERIENCES

A BAY OF BISCAY GALE. NARRUNG PASSENGERS' NARRATIVES. SYDNEY, Jan. 29. Accounts of the terrifying experienoeßsthat befel the passengers by the fJf^fpNarrung during a gale in the Uay of Biscay on Boxmg Day are con--?S ln M Englis!l filf Hrouiht by the w.M.b. Marmora, which reached Fremantle yesterday. One of the best of the stories ai>P«ar in_ the Morning Post. Wlien the cnsis was reached, it says, most or tne passengers were in their bunks sick, and were startled by a roar like thunder. A huge wave struck the

vessel, and it was followed by a second, at least 70ft high. The Narrung rose over the first, and slipped down into the trough of the sea, but the second wave was too quick for her. It crashed upon the ship and wrecked half the deck.

Below d«ck the doors of the- cabins were burst open, and the water was soon 2ft. deep in many cabins. The chief steward was forced to call for volunteers to bale the water from the saloons and elsewhere. For hours the passengers worked with pails. As. it was impossible for the women and children to remain in the flooded cabins, th«y were hurried into the saloon. There was no time for ceremony. The men just threw rugs around the women, and carried them through the flooded corridors. Most of the women were in their nightdresses. Several were highly hysterical, one falling on her knees and praying loudly until quieted by her companions. But on the whole they displayed fine courage. Captain R. Bidwell, the commander, was in grave anxiety lor the ship's safety for some hours on Boxing Day. After the great wave struck the vessel, he ordered H. A. Reynolds, the wireless operator, to send the "5.0.5." (save our souls) signal. However, when once the Narrung came round and was ablo to steam before the gale, the immediate danger was over, and. Captain Bidwell was able to advise his would-be rescuers that the Narrung could look after herself.

Aa entry in a diary of events kept by one of the passengers stated that it took the ship over an hour to turn. The greatest sufferers were the women anß children, and Mrs Sherwood, a\ nominated passenger, who was going to Australia to join her husband, kad a narrow escape from drowning. "In the women's quarter," she said, "there was a great deal of consternation when the crash came, and the doors we're burst open by the force of the waves above. We could hear the »oar of the sea and the thunder of smashing which the volumes of water made as they fell on the deck. When I got out of the cabin, half-clad, with baby in my arms, I-fell in the water in the passage. It was about 3ft deep, and it was with difficulty that I got up again, because of the pitching of the ship. At last I struggled to the saloon, where I was helped by one of the volunteers, and we sat huddled up in thin garments, waiting for the worst. Many of us thought- we would never see land again."

When the passengers reached London the women bore unmistakable evidence of their adventures. Many had had no sleep for three days. Some were without hats, and a number wore clothes which were etill wet with brine and rain. However, there were good friends to do what was possible for their comfort. As the tug with the passengers left the Narrung off Gravesend, the passengers caught sight of Captain Bidwell on the bridge. He and the chief officer had not left it since, the storcn became serious. During 50 hours or more they had scarcely touched food. The passengers raised a cheer. Three times it was repeated, and then another three. Captain Bidwell lifted his hat and moved to the other side of the bridge, modest to the last. Finally, a word should be said in honor of the engineers and firemen. For a time some of the firemen were up to their waists in water. The. Narrung had a narrow escape. The fact that she reached port without loss of life must be largely attributed to the skill of her officers, and the devoted services of her crew.