LINERS SUNK

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21366, 10 March 1941, Page 6

LINERS SUNK

BOTH TORPEDOED TWO WELL-KNOWN VESSELS THE ROTORUA AND WAIOTIRA News that the New Zealand Shipping Company’s liner Rotorua, of 10,890 tons and the Shaw Savill and Albion Company's vessel Waiotira, of 13,000 tons, have been sunk by enemy action has been released. The Rotorua was lost near Iceland and the Waiotira in the northern Atlantic when nearing Britain. In both instances it is stated that the crews displayed great gallantry. Captarn Edgar Kemp, of the Rotorua and every officer except one went down with the liner, the death roll being 19. The gun the Rotorua carried was never fired at the enemy, although it often spoke in practice, says a London exchange. It was manned by three Wellington men, Messrs C. J. B. Woods (Miramar), A. McQueen (Kilbirnie) and E. Carter (Lyall Bay). Messrs McQueen and Carter lost their lives through their desire to get a shot at the submarine that sent their ship down. Mr Woods owed his life to his swimming powers and physical fitness. He swam for two hours before he was picked up. Messrs McQueen and Carter went down with the ship, in company with the captain and his officers. Submarine Not Sighted “When we were hit I was having dinner. I had a cup of coffee in my hand, but the ship was hit so deep down that the shock was not great and the coffee was not even spilled,” said Woods. “We dashed for action stations, and while the lifeboats were being put off w f e waited to get a shot at the Nazi. “The Rotorua was still steaming cn, and when her decks were awash we decided to obey the order to abandon ship. All the boats had gone, so we threw over a raft. I jumped in after it with all my gear on, including a motor-cyclist’s crash helmet I was wearing for warmth. 1 still had it when I was picked up. The raft had not been untied and it just went on with the ship. McQueen and Carter didn’t follow me for some reason, and they were last seen walking forward down the deck. Feeling of Loneliness “I did not feel lonely until the chaps in that first lifeboat tried to get near me, but were prevented because of the drift. When I saw the boat turn away I suddenly felt everything to be hopeless. I was terribly lonely then. I had been in the water about an hour and a-half. Fortunately, I saw a chap in the boat pointing behind me. I looked back and saw another lifeboat. So I made off for it. “Almost half an hour later I reached it. My cobber, Colin Webster, of Dunedin, was in it, and he saw me and steered it over. Somebody dragged me over the gunwale. There were about 30 people in it. Some were from the galley and had very few clothes on. “A Sunderland flying-boat then flew over and in a message told us to hang on, as help was coming. We did not know what is said at the time. It had signalled to some trawlers 40 miles away. They had picked up the Rotorua’s S.O.S. and were already on the way. “About two and a-half hours later the trawlers arrived. It was dark then, and all we could see were blue and red lights. One ship came alongside us, and we were a bit scared that she might crush us. The sea was still running high, and we had to jump for it as the waves brought us to the same level. One of the first men I saw was Clarrie Head, of Auckland, who was chief petty officer. Sinking of the Waiotira “We were on our way home from Auckland, and the Rangitane sailed about five hours before us,” said Mr G. E. J. Stilton, of Auckland, who was a member of the crew of the Waiotira. “Later we picked up her S.O.S. saying she was being attacked by a raider, so we turned north to escape. For 24 hours everyone was on the alert, but we gave her the slip. "We had another scare in the Atlantic when we sighted a ship. But she did a very quick about face and disappeared. No doubt she was as ‘windy’ as we were. “We reached the northern latitudes 1 and struck across for England. Christmas Day was duly celebrated and we were looking forward to our arrival. I had just gone on watch on the gun deck with my mate when we saw several ships on the horizon. One of these came over to have a look at us. It was one of our warships. They were on the way out to meet a convoy. We continued on our own, and some time later the torpedo strucK u*. Smoke and Flame “A cloud of smoke and flame shot up as high as our masthead, and the ship trembled and shook as if she were alive. When you get it like that it seems hard to believe that such a thing has actually happened. It seems incredible. One moment the ship is speeding along, and the next she is just a hulk in the water. “Immediately we went to action stations and manned the guns. But we could see nothing as it was too dark, and the order to abandon ship was given. 1 was in No. 3 lifeboat and when we were being lowered the after fall jammed. Five of us v/c-r thrown into the water. “The lifeboat was awash to the gunwales, so we struck out for another. I had a coat and leather sea-boots, and all the accessories on, and it was pretty hard going. “All the lifeboats gathered together and lay about 300 yards from the ship,” he continued. “Then we saw a light on board and pulled back, and found the two wireless officers, who had stuck to the ship. They were still sending out the S.O.S. Submarine Makes Off “About an hour after this the submarine surfaced about 100 yards from us. Just as she rose the warship we had seen earlier arrived, having picked up our messages. She fired and the U-boat made off. “The warship made a long sweep around the Waiotira. but could pick up no signs of the U-boat. Later she came alongside and picked us up out

of the boats. After six hours in the boats in that cold weather, wet through, she was the most welcome sight that I have ever seen. They took us on board and gave us hoi tot and dry clothes, and made us extremely welcome. The next night the ship’s company organised a concert for us. “A boat was sent to the Waiotira to see if there were any chance of salvaging her, but she was too badly damaged and she finally went down.” VALUABLE PRODUCE CARGO The twin-screw motor-ship Waiotira was completed late in 1939 at Belfast by Harland and Wolff, Limited, and was regarded as one of the finest vessels of her type when she first visited Auckland in January, 1940. The Waiotira was in Auckland last November and left for England with a full and very valuable cargo of New Zealand produce. Equipped with a cruiser stern, the Waiotira was 516 ft. long and had a beam of 70ft. She was registered at Southampton. One of the oldest liners trading between England and New Zealand, the New Zealand Shipping Company’s twin-screw steamer Rotorua was built at Clydebank by J. Brown and Company. Limited, in 1911. Easily distinguished because of her five masts, the Rotorua was 526 ft in length, with a beam of 61ft. She was registered at Plymouth.