Arthur Gregory Gatland

Survivor of the 1968 Wahine Shipwreck.

Another couple who boarded a liferaft from B-deck were Edna and Arthur Gatland of Tauranga. Like the Madaraszs, they had come from the port side through the crowded passageway in front of the smokeroom and had had a frightening struggle getting across. They could never have accomplished it without the aid of the handrails. Mrs Gatland saw an old man crash down the passage and someone gasped "Oh, Dad." In front a woman with a daughter of about twelve sobbed and moaned, but most people were quiet and intent on what they were doing. The Gatlands reached the storm door to the deck as the last lifeboat was lowered and Mrs Gatland turned and kissed her husband because she thought it might be the last time she saw him. Fortunately it wasn't, and Mr Gatland stayed right behind as a crewman took his wife's elbow and stepped over the sill. "Sit down and slide on your bum. The rail will stop you," the crewman told her. Mrs Gatland did as she was asked. She climbed to her feet at the rail, saw liferafts being dashed by the wind and waves against the davits and boat ladders as they sailed down from the forward A-deck station, and heard the hiss of escaping air as they punctured. Crew members were urging passengers to jump on to the rafts a few feet below, whether the craft were a hundred per cent seaworthy or not. Mrs Gatland's turn came and she did not hesitate. Her husband followed. (Source: The Wahine Disaster by Max Lambert, p. 103)

Mr and Mrs Arthur Gatland of Tauranga were taken from the station to the Wilton home of Mr and Mrs Brian Buchanan. "We can never forget the kindness of this young couple. They forgot nothing that might contribute to our comfort," says Mrs Gatland. (Source: The Wahine Disaster by Max Lambert, p. 198)