RUSSIAN ADVENTURE

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 88, 23 September 1938, Page 4

RUSSIAN ADVENTURE

SEA CAPTAIN’S STORY RESCUE FROM DERELICT CASTA WAYS’ HA RD.SH I PS Lho on tlio China seas presents adventures and romance in plenty, even in these modern times, and away up north, .where the coast of Siberia offers cold hospitality, the routine of shipboard existence has little in common with that found in southern climes. International strife and jealousy plays a big part in influencing the lives of seamen trading along the •eastern and north-eastern seaboards of Asia, masters of ships are frequently in difficulties owing to restric-

tions placed on their movements. Captain Richard Cordy, formerly well-known in the ' port pf Gisborne where for a number of years he was in charge of the tug Pelican during harbour-construction operation there, has had many experiences) .out of the ordinary since, in 1928, he left the New Zealand coast to take up a command on the China Seas. , Recently he was in Sydney, in connection with the taking-over of an Australian steamer which has been bought by his principals, and word of some of liis adventures .has drifted hack to Gisborne. They illustrate the differences between working a ship on the Asiatic coasts and operating a tug in New Zealand waters. Rescue of Russians One incident will servo to exemplify that difference. Captain Cordy lately took part in the rescue oi a ship which having stranded on the Siberian coast at the beginning of the Siberian winter, was held in the grip of

ice'-.throughout the cold 'months, her crew in a starving condition. H,e was in command of the tug Caroline Moller, previously in service on the Sydney harbour under the name of St. Miabyn. ; •. . ' i The Caroline Midler was ordered north from Shanghai to go to tlio assistance of a steamer that had ghne to short oil the Russian coast. She entered a harbour to refuel, and Captain Cordy at once noticed a launch blazing fiercely. 'One of the crew was struggling in the water, and when he had been picked up the Caroline Mailer went alongside the burning craft and rescued the crew and passengers, including a number of women and a young baby. Two of the creiv nad already perished in the engine-room and one young woman died: later. Tlie Russians proved migrate]ul, Captain Cordy said. Soon afterwards an official launch came alongside the Caroline Moiler and ordered , her to steam beyond the three miles limit, where she had to anchor for 12 days before she was again allowed to enter the port. When the Caroline Moller reached the stranded ship she had been refloated and was in tow of a Russian tug. Captain Cordy took over the tow and towed the ship to Shanghai, 1,600 miles away. Siberian Privations •The crew of the refloated steamer told Captain Cordy a story of severe privations throughout a Siberian winter. The vessel had, been aground for nine months, for most oif which time she was frozen in. The decks were feet deep in snow anil icicles hung from the superstructure. The Russians grudgingly gave them a lew logs to keep their stoves going after their coal was exhausted. Their wireless apparatus was sealed by the Soviet secret police, they were not allowed ashore, and the Russian who brought their daily water was prevented from communicating with anyone.

Only intermittent supplies of salt fish and black bread were sent aboard, the crew told Captain Cordy, and at one stage they contemplated deserting the ship and walking through the snow for 25 miles to the nearest town. At last in desperation the captain

of the steamer, Captain Cordy was ill

formed, went ashore with a White Russian interpreter and informed the villagers that, unless adequate supplies of food were sent aboard, the crew would attack them. From then on better supplies were forthcoming. . / 'A ■ I ' . u.v •