SHIP DEVELOPS LIST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 251, 22 August 1950, Page 3

SHIP DEVELOPS LIST

CREW SWIM TO SAFETY CAPTAIN’S WIFE ALSO TAKES TO WATER JN.Z.P. A—Copyright) (Rec. .11.5 a.m.) ADELAIDE, This Day. The New Zealand-born wife of the captain of the freighter Millhill had to swim from the listing vessel to a lifeboat when the crew abandoned the ship in the Great Australian Bight early on Sunday morning.

She is Mrs Rita Church, whose home town is Wellington. Captain and Mrs Church were on their honeymoon after their marriage about a month ago in Wellington. The rescue ship Culross reached Port Adelaide late last night with the Millhill’s crew of 14 whites and 40 natives.

Mrs Church was the only woman on board the Millhill.

When the ship's cargo shifted in heavy weather the vessel gradually developed a 70-degrees list. Mrs Church, who was lying sick in her cabin, was buried under tumbling furniture and was trapped until sev eral officers dragged her out. Everyone, except the wireless operator, spent the night lying on the decks of the listing ship. The wireless operator was unable to use the main set, and got an emergency set from a lifeboat. He braced himself against the bulkhead and began sending out distress calls, one of which was picked up by the freighter Culross.

When the Culross arrived, her boats could get no closer than 20 yards from the disabled ship, and members of the Millhill’s crew had to swim to the boats.

Soon after the cargo shifted, the Millhill’s first officer. Mr H. Wynn, was lost overboard. The third officer dived into the heavy seas to help him, but was almost drowned himself.

Captain Church and two officers have returned to the derelict in a salvage tug. Several tugs have already reached the Millhill. which is said to be riding steadily in the calmer weather, though partially submerged. Salvage men who boarded her believe there is a good chance of salvage. The list has moderated ,and may be corrected at sea by the dumping of a portion of the pig-iron cargo. Captain Church says the cftief officer was lost when trying to get a lifeboat clear.