THE PORT KEMBLA.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1917, Page 4

THE PORT KEMBLA.

THE CAPTAIN'S ACCOUNT. ■SPLENDID BEHAVIOUR OF THE CREW. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Nelson, Sept. 20. Tlie crew of the Port Kembla left this morning for Wellington, when they -were given a public send-off and conveyed to the wharf by cars, of the crew had submarine experien'ebs.' :\ Cfne .roan had been torpedoed no fewer than six tlines).

Captain Jack, who had lieen suffering from the effects of his lengthy immersion, was about yesterday afternoon. In general .conversation regarding the loss of the Port Kembla, Captain Jack said .he had just left the bridge and gone to his cabin when the explosion occurred. Ho emerged from his cii'lifc -%id wajT'iijet'; by strong fumes "along "the. passages Meeting the second officer, he remarked, "It seems like a bomb," the offieer replying, "Yes, it-looks like it." This captain gave the order for the engines to .stop and for the jjoacs to be got ready. He also instructed the wireless operator tq,send a message,, but the. explosion haC the' wireless gear making it impossible to send messages, The vessel 1.., d a list, but not sufficient to. interfere with the launching of the boats. Captain Jack and two officers remained on the steamer till the very last and then dived, after going round the ship to see that everyone was away. The light lasted almost to the last, and the Port Kembla went down with her whistle blowing. ■

The behavious of the crew, Captain Jack states, was excellent, there being no trouble at all. Hie men accepted the position in the bust spirit. The officers, Captain Jack added, saved very little! Tic secured some papers and placed them in the pocket of his overcoat, but in the water he had to discard the. overcoat and lost his papers after all. One of two of the officers managed to 'get their papers, hut the rest* lost everything.

. Captain .Jack especially thanked the 1 Mayor and citizens of kelson for the kindness extended to the officers and crew. He could not. speak too highly of the treatment they had received here.

MAILS FOR NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wellington, Sept. 20. The Port Kembla had six bags of mails for New Plymouth.

A DISLOYAL FIREMAN. ; Nelson, Sept. 20. Jan Pietcrse, fireman,' member of the crew of the Port Kembla, who described himself as a Dutchman, was arrested just before the crew left for Wellington this morning. Later he was charged i under the -war regulations that he published certain seditious utterances in the |Wakatu Hotel, namely, that,he loved the Kaiser, that he would fight hi 3 best for the Kaiser, that he would like to kiss the Kaiser and (imitating the act of spitting) do that to theJEnjgisli. Accused said he had had too much drink, pleaded guilty, and was remanded for sentence at Wellington on Monday.