ON A SOVIET SHIP

New Zealand Listener, Volume 7, Issue 179, 27 November 1942, Page 6

ON A SOVIET SHIP

Written tor "The Listener" by

JOHN

FISHER

T was announced last week by the.BBC that one of the Counsellors of the Australian Legation opened .recéntly in Moscow would be John Fisher, Moscow Correspondent of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. Fisher is also Moscow Correspondent of "The New Zealand Listener," and with his wife, went to Russia a few months ago as a member of the crew of a Soviet ship. He is the youngest son of the lote Rt. Hon. Andrew Fisher, a former Prime Minister of Australia. Here are some notes on the other members of the ship’s company:

The pleasantly lilting Ukrainian voice of the captain, now swiftly stiffened with a note of sure authority, cut through the dawn. _ Various Russian equivalents of "Aye, sir!" cracked back at him. From first officer to last stoker they sprang to it as one man (or woman). Ships, docks, shore slid past in the chill and murky gloom. Just a tramp steamer, but one of the vital cogs in the war machine that jis smashing the Axis. ¢ aa OVARISCHI!" ("Comrades!")

The captain has the Order of Lenin, the highest decoration of almost the largest country in the world, something well up to our V.C. He got it for services rendered in many lands and seas, not least of all in Australia, where his personality has left a permanent impression in circles ranging from true blue to deepest red. His radio officer has the Order of the Red Banner, and one of his engineers has the medal for Valiant Labour, decorations that carry great ‘material rewards and even greater prestige. A "Stout Fellow" The captain is a stout fellow in every sense of the term, about 16 stone; bland and smiling, with a sense of humour that weathers every storm. On the bridge in uniform, he seems in his easy assurance, to personify the entire Red Navy and Mercantile Marine. Potting at dolphins with a double-bar-relled gun, to keep in practice for pos‘sible guerrilla warfare on the high seas against sharks, whales, submarines and other "beeg feesh", he has the air of a schoolboy. At other times, in company with some of the younger members of . his crew, he seems to have the parent&l authority of a huge hen shepherding a brood of chickens, .

At the dining table, on ship as on shore, he consolidates an international reputation as a raconteur, ranging over the whole world, including the time when he spent many months in a Fascist gaol in Spain for running the blockade. There is ‘nothing forced about the gusts of mirth, including his own, which punctuate these anecdotes. The Radio Officer Often at table, and in many other ways, the captain’s right-hand man appears to be the radio officer. Though all

of the officers have a fair knowledge of the language, the radio officer is by a long way the best English scholar, the only man with any real fluency except an enterprising young stoker and a rather humorously lugubrious young man of 22 who, barring accidents, has a rather cushy job as assistant doctor. The radio officer appears to be the captain’s chief adviser on political and diplomatic problems. He is a shortish sturdy man with the soberly aggressive features that may be correctly described as "typically Bolshevik," but every now and then over a bowl of borsch or a game of Chinese checkers he will burst forth into one of the richest and most joyously infectious laughs I have ever heard. Like everybody else on board, he seems to have an extremely well-developed sense. of humour. First, Second, Third-And Fourth The first mate hails from Moscow, is about 35, but looks younger, a sort of youthful cross between Maurice Chevalier and Victor McLaglen. In peaked cap and top-coat in charge of the ship he looks like a Red Rear-Admiral. When he gives an order he speaks as if he has the authority of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics behind him, as tindeed he has. (Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page) With the radio officer, who comes from icy Archangel, Alfred is a winter sport enthusiast; he rivals the captain as a hunter of big game and both have vowed to come back for some hunting, shooting and fishing. Alfred will probably insist on bringing his splendid gramophone with him. He has one of the best collections of classical recordings this side of the Line. The second mate is tall, broad and deep, and always cheerful, never rattled, a sheet anchor and tower of strength rolled into one. He would look the part in the uniform of any navy. The third mate is over six feet tall, powerfully built, extremely good looking and has a manner rather suggestive of a collie dog. At first glance he gives the impression of being in his early

twenties. Later one learns that he is married with a daughter aged 11. He is 31 and comes from Siberia. His hair and complexion are dark in contrast to another Siberian, the chief stewardess, a golden blonde. Fourth mate is also a girl-22 years old Steel and Gold No mention of the crew should pass without a word about the chief engineer, a Slim Summerville type, with a mouth of stainless steel and a heart of solid gold. On board, off duty, he is a cheerful clown, the life and soul of the ship. On shore he is a master of the dance floor-he won championships many years ago-and at public meetings, immaculately dressed, he looks like an ambassador. Every man and woman on board, in fact, is an ambassador, creating a good impression of Soviet progress,