NORWEGIAN VESSEL’S AID

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1053, 18 August 1930, Page 1

NORWEGIAN VESSEL’S AID

Penybryn First on Scene

REACHED TAHITI LAST EVENING

Guided to Liner By Rockets

ALTHOUGH a wireless message arrived on Saturday afternoon stating that the Tahiti might be abandoned during the night, this action was not necessary, and the passengers were transferred to the Matson liner Ventura this morning.

At 8 o’clock this morning, the following reassuring message reached Wellington, and was issued by The secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department. "Norwegian steamer Penybryn standing by the Union Company s steamer Tahiti, which has been disabled since early Saturday morning. The steamer Ventura is nearby.”

The above message would be sent from the Tahiti at 6.30 o’clock on Sunday morning, according to the difference in New Zealand time. The Norwegian steamer, on her way from Cuba to Auckland with a cargo of sugar, was the first to reach the disabled Tahiti. A message through the wireless station at Rarotonga on Saturday evening, stated that the Penybryn had passed the Tahiti at 1 o'clock in the morning. The Auckland agents, Spedding, ' Limited, immediately ‘wirelessed her to turn back and go to the disabled vessel's assistance. However, the Norwegian steamer had picked up the S.O.S. calls through the Chatham Islands station and had turned back to go to the Tahiti, reaching her last evening at dusk.

ALARMING REPORTS Although alarming reports had been sent out that the water was gaining, and that it might be necessary to abandon the ship, this action was not taken. Apparently everyone stayed on the ship during the night, waiting for the arrival of the steamers which were rushing with all speed to her Lase n evening, when the Penybryn reached the Tahiti at dusk, she had some difficulty in picking her up. Those on the Tahiti fired rockets to guide the Norwegian steamer and she wirelessed that she would be standing by an hour later. This was at 6.15 o’clock last evening. The wireless stations at Suva, the Chatham Islands, Auckland and Wellington -were flashing messages through space and informing everyone of the positions of the various vessels. The rescue ships were kept fully acquainted with the position and the fears of friends and relatives of the passengers and crew were allayed. DRIFTING HELPLESSLY Short wireless messages, sent out at frequent intervals, told the story of the passenger steamer, which was drifting helplessly at sea and rapidly filling with water. At midnight on Saturday the secretary of the Post and Telegraph Office in Wellington issued the following messages, which had been picked up: 11.51 p.m. Saturday (New Zealand time): S.O.S. No. 3 engine room bulkhead given way. Standing by to abandon ship. 11.53 p.m. (New Zealand time); S.O.S. Standing by to abandon ship. Engine room bulkhead given way. Position at 4 p.m., latitude 26.27 degrees south, longtitude 166.05 west.

1.55 a.rr.., Sunday (New Zealand time): Abandoning ship at 10 a.m.

4.50 a.m., Sunday (New Zealand time): Water in engine room getting beyond control. Afraid might have to abandon ship. Drifting several miles north-west of former position. t

6.30 a.m., Sunday (New Zealand time): Captain Toten wirelessed: Intend transfer passengers to Penybryn which says will arrive at 2 p.m. Mail is safe and will also be transferred. Crew will leave before dark and Penybryn will stand by. SHORT OF COAL Wireless messages from both the Ventura and the Tofua followed after this. Both stated that they were going to the Tahiti’s assistance witli all possible speed. The Tofua, which had taken on a special Island crew at Suva, said that she had met with rough weather, but that the seas were moderating. The native labourers were behaving splendidly, and the vessel was maintaining a maximum speed. All seemed well at 9.30 o’clock last evening when the following message from H.M.S. Veronica at Suva was received by Commander Nelson Clover, of H.M.S. Philomel: Tahiti still afloat but listing badly. Penybryn is in company. Ventura arrives at daybreak and will take passengers. Tahiti cannot last much longer. Penybryn has only 100 tons of coal left. H.M.S. Veronica, which is now at Coconut Point, Fiji, picked up the following messages: From the master of the Antinous to the master of the Tahiti: The steamer Antinous is still proceeding to your position and will arrive at 10 p.m. tomorrow or earlier. Will render assistance to your crew if necessary. In any case will continue to proceed in your direction until hear everything is O.K. Antinous is bound for Newcastle. Reply from master of Tahiti (10.8 p.m. yesterday). Thanks for your- message. Passengers

and crew still on board. Position here still the same. Steamer Penybryn is in vicinity today. From the Rarotonga wireless station to the Tahiti (11.30 last night): If you consider it safe to remain on board approve your proposals to transfer all hands to Ventura.