SERVICE AT SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26641, 11 December 1947, Page 10

SERVICE AT SEA

CONTRIBUTION TO WAR SHAW SAVILL’S RECORD During the Second World War the Shaw Savill and Albion Company lost 473 members of its seagoing stair and four members of the shore stall, as well as 14 ships. The fine record of these men who go down to the sea in ships has provided material for Frank C. Bowen in his book “The Flag of the Southern Cross." "The price which had to be paid by the company for magnificent services given the country during the war was heavy but, in spite of the tragedy of fine ships and gallant lives lost, the sacrifice was a grand one and did honour to everybody involved,” says the book. " Notwithstanding that, quite apart from enemy action, war conditions had greatly increased the risks of navigation—according to one authority they had been multiplied by at least five—only one of the 14 ships lost was by marine risk." The epic feat of the Jervis Bay in the early days of the war has not been forgotten. The action of Captain E. S. Fogarty Fegen V.C., in directing his ship at her full speed of 15 knots towards the Admiral Scheer to distract her attention from tne British convoy and being almost blown out of the water, was an heroic deed that earned the admiration of the whole world. In the book is a picture of the Jervis Bay as an armed merchant cruiser escorting the convoy. An important role played by three of Shaw Savill’s oldest ships—Pakeha, Mamari and Waimana—was their service as dummy warships. In the early part of the war they acted as a decoy for enemy aircraft and performed most useful service. Shaw Savill ships also took part in the famous convoy in August, 1942, for the relief of Malta. All the company’s ships were sunk, including two of the finest vessels, Waimarama and Wairangi. The company’s losses were not confined to the sea. In May, 1941, the head office at 34 Leadenhall street, was totally destroyed as the result of an air attack. In conclusion, reference is made to post-war problems—no less urgent than those which arose during the war period. Plans were heing steadily carried forward to replace the casualties of cargo ships with all possible speed.