The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-02-26
Tropical Storms
Add To Submarine
Menace AS Mission
aries Cross Pacific
Continued from page u

trail province of India. The first lap
of the journey homeward came on
October % when they left their mis-
sion station by automobile for Cham
pa and from there to Bombay by
boat.
Arriving in Bombay, the port of
embarkation, on Nov. 3 the Wengers
were informed that there would be a
delay of several weeks because of
the uncertainties of war time travel.
Finally on Nov. 20 they boarded the
Dutch cargo liner, Klipfontin.
MINES PROTECTION
On the next day the vessel left the
harbor only to return four different
times. The passengers learned that
the vessel was testing appliances in
stalled for the protection of the YES
sci against magnetic mines.
During stops at Colombo, Ceylon
and Singapore, the former British
stronghold of the Malay States, much
evidence of war preparations wa!
seen. Gun emplacements were cam
oufiaged and buildings were being re-
inforced. Strip of heavy pape,
were seen placed over the windows
Dock AT BATAVIA
First awareness that the Orient
was in the background came when
the vessel docked at Batavia, the
capital of Java. There American and
other western influences were every
where evident. As in many of the
other ports, heavy cloud of un-
easiness seemed to hang overhead.
While in this city the voyagers
heard of the Japanese bombing OF
Pearl Harbor. This turn of events
injected a new note of uncertainty in
the travel plans of the passengers
Even the officers of the Klipfontin
had no idea of the sailing plans.
RUBBER AND TIN
About four days later the boat
sailed for Serabaya at the other enc
of the island of Java. There The
vessel was loaded with rubber anc
tin and installations were made.
Also many RATS loaded with tin.
ned food and water were placed OF
the vessel. While sailing from thi.
port one of the RATS fell overboarc
and the boat stopped to retrieve it
AS soon as the vessel changed its
course, passing south of Australia
Dutch airplanes droned overhead
which gave the passengers an added
feeling of safety.
ENCOUNTER STORM
In the 17-day jump between Sera
baya and Aukland, New Zealand {
storm of almost hurrican proportion,
was encountered. For "a hours tht
storm ragged in all its fury and il
was necessary to anchor every NOV
able piece of equipment on the boat
At dinner time the passengers att
out of one large metal plate in place
of the usual number of glass dishes
Serving tables lunged away ant
rolled all over the dining room ant
heavy overstuffed furniture SHIFTED
back and forward like children's TOYS
Although the ship was less thar
two years old creaks and all man
ner of noises were heard constantly
Doors banged shut with startling
racket. Walking was practically i'm
possible and many slept directly or
/ the floor SO as not to be thrown
out of bed.
RoARIN' FoRTIEs
The boat was being tossed about
like feather by what in naval cir.
cles is known as the "roarin' forties"
The waves were go feet high. accord
ing to the ships officers. When the
main strength of the storm hac
spent itself the passengers were per.
mitted to go on deck and scene OF
rare beauty was witnessed, Mrs
Wenger stated.
Many colors could be seen thru the
spray and the foam on the breakinp
waves combined to create a scene