SAILING SHIP IN DISTRESS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26633, 19 January 1952, Page 7

SAILING SHIP IN DISTRESS

Pamir Calls For Assistance (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 18. The barque Pamir, in heavy seas about eight miles east of the Thames Estuary, radioed at daybreak to-day for the Margate lifeboat to take off 49 cadets. The Pamir is carrying a crew of 30 as well as the cadets. Earlier to-day distress signals from the Pamir asked for tug assistance immediately. The latest message requested that the cadets be taken off because the weather and seas were becoming rougher. The message added that she was still awaiting a tug. The Pamir, now a West German merchant training ship, was out of Hamburg with a cargo of cement for Rio de Janeiro on the first stage of a 23,700 mile voyage round the world. Two Other Ships Abandoned Three Dutch seamen were missing early this morning from a Dutch motorship, the Seaham (400 tons), which was abandoned in rough seas 10 miles south-east of Lowestoft. Suffolk. The Seaham is reported to be in danger of sinking at any time. The three missing are among four who took to a lifeboat when the ship developed a serious list.. The British motor vessel Warden picked up the fourth when the lifeboat capsized. The Lowestoft lifeboat took the other five members of the crew off late last night. The last to leave was Captain Christian Devries, who stayed on alone for two hours in a vain effort to secure a towline from the Great Yarmouth tug. A Liberian steamer, the Liberty, went aground last night near Cape Cornwall, Lands End. In an 80-mile-an-hour gale Coast Guards rescued the crew of 35 by breeches buoy. The vessel's master, second mate and radio operator stayed aboard until the salvage tug Merchantman arrived.