SHIPMASTER’S TRIBUTE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1941, Page 5

SHIPMASTER’S TRIBUTE

TO THE COASTAL COMMAND. PROTECTION OF' CONVOYS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 15. Testimony to the untiring work of Sunderland flying-boats on convoy duties is provided in a letter received by the Naval Control Officer of a west coast port and passed by him to the Sunderland Flying-boat Squadron, R.A.F.: • “Sir, —As a shipmaster, I wish to express appreciation of the wonderful work done'by the Coastal Command of the R.A.F., specially the crews of Sunderland flying-boats. On arriving at from overseas, I had another chance of seeing the R.A.F. at work day and night and to marvel at the skill they display in locating convoys hundreds of miles from the coast. The first flying-boat to appear on this recent occasion found the convoy in the early hours of the morning, while it was quite dark, and we still had as escort the pleasant company of the Sunderland at midnight the same day. I know is must be very monotonous at times to men of the R.A.F. Coastal Command, being on patrol duty, but I would like them to know what a thrill it is to us seamen —I know I speak for all—to see them around us and what confidence it gives us. I would also I say that we enjoy their company after trudging along at slow speed for 20 days or more. It heartens us and is also a 'break in our monotony."