MAGNIFICENT SAILORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 26, 1 February 1926, Page 7

MAGNIFICENT SAILORS.

AMERICANS , SUPREME FEAT, RESCUE OF ANTINOE MEN. TOUR DAYS" CEASELESS HEROISM. . AN EPIC OF THE OCEAN. .■(By CaM a — rnvs Association.—Copyright. 'i L'.>NDON\ January 31. . A feat of supreme seamanship, practically unsurpassed in the annals of mercantile shipping, was revealed in a wireless story by a passenger of the President Roosevelt due in Plymouth on Sun.day with, the people rescued from the Antinoe. and published in the -Daily -Impress." ■ It vividly out lines a four-day vigil, the -seas climbing to a peak of 50 feet high Sunder a hurricane raging 100 miles an lour. ■ Swirling sleet, snow and drifting fog 'made the task almost impossible. All ; 'the watcher on the President Roosevelt stood by all day long, it being impossible to launch a boat. During a wild •night they ln-t contact. - The morning found the Antinoe out of sight. It was not until late on Monday she was again located, having drifted E8 miles in the fury of the storm. She listed 35 degrees to starboard, and her port boats were stove in, her engineroom flooded, her steering gear disabled and the bridge smashed. AMERICAN HEROES. The President Roosevelt launched a boat in charge of the Chief Officer, Mr. Miller. It was immediately struck by a sudden squall and whirled toward the President Roosevelt. The lifelines were cast, but, lifted by a giant sea, the boat capsized and hurled the men into the .ocean. By a superhuman effort all but two •managed to reach the ladder. The terrified passengers watched the two ill-fated ■ men carried off to the Antinoe. One, swimming hard, passed close to the stern 'of the tossing hulk, from which a line •was thrown. Just ten feet separated him from the line"s-end. He could not grasp it and disappeared. ■ Night descended, following a day of failure.

- After the failure four boats were lost.

A moderating at nightfall and a 'moonlight night enabled another attempt to be made, when a lifeboat succeeded in reaching the Autinoe, where twelve men "were rescued and brought to the President Eoosevelt.

OFFICE!*, MILLER'S TASK. The Antinoe then had a list of 40 degrees, and Mr. Miller made a second courageous voyage, the searchlight picking a path. They brought "away 13 men, including tie captain, who waved his hand affectionately to the Antinoe when the boat {hereby completing one of-" the ocean's most dramatic rescues.

A message from Washington states that King George has sent a cablegram to the President of the United States • (Mr. Calvin praising the crew •of the President Roosevelt for rescuing the whole of the members of the crerw of tlie ' Antinoe. and expressing his regret ;that two of the brave rescuing force lost their lives.

.In reply. Mr. Coolidge cabled to His ■ Majesty: "The event is but another illustration of the heroism and gallantry :whieh have characterised alike the mariner? of the United States and of Britain."

The King asked the President to assure the bereaved families of the two sailors •whoTvere lost of his heartfelt sympathy. The British Foreign Office requested the British Ambassador to convey to Mr. Coolidge the Ministry's appreciation of the heroism of the captain and crew of .the President Roosevelt, also its sympathy with the relatives of the two American sailors who sacrificed their lives in the gallant rescue effort. A similar message was also sent on behalf of Lloyds. SPLENDID MEN. The captain and crew of the President Roosevelt were given a great reception at Queenstown. They were greeted by the Lord Mayor. A similar recpption is being prepared for them at Plymouth, where the Al- ' miralty will be represented. The 'Daily Express -, says the Board •of Trade, breaking , down ordinary procedure, is dispatching a special representative to Plymouth to meet the Presi.<frnt Roosevelt to obtain the captain's complete report of the circumstances, which will be presented to the Admiralty for immediate presentation to the King. (A. and N.Z. Cable.)