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PACIFIC WAR - TALK VIVIAN SPENCER, UNLOADING SHIPS

Rights Information
Year
1943
Reference
10544
Media type
Audio

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Rights Information
Year
1943
Reference
10544
Media type
Audio

This content is for private viewing only. The material may not always be available for supply.
Click for more information on rights and requesting.

Series
Pacific War series
Categories
Radio programs
Sound recordings
War radio programs
Duration
00:02:54
Broadcast Date
04 Oct 1943
Credits
RNZ Collection
Spencer, Vivian, Speaker/Kaikōrero
New Zealand Broadcasting Service. Mobile Recording Unit, Broadcaster

A talk by Vivian Spencer of the Pacific NZBU - "Unloading Ships in New Caledonia".

When a ship arrives in New Caledonia with goods for the New Zealanders, hundreds of men are sent from the nearest New Zealand camp to help unload it. All available men are sent in order to get the ship turned around as fast as possible. Today they will see a ‘Liberty’ ship being unloaded.

The men are divided into squads of about twelve, under a Sergeant or Corporal. They work in four six-hour shifts, with six hours on then eighteen hours off. When not on a ship they have very few restrictions on their movements, though when on the job they work very hard. The work goes on until the ship is empty. The local YMCA branch delivers hot tea and biscuits to the wharf three or four times every twenty-four hours.

The officers of the ship are full of praise for how the New Zealand troops in New Caledonia settle down to the hard work and clear the ship with such speed and cheerfulness.