RAFT VOYAGERS RESCUED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27404, 17 July 1954, Page 7

RAFT VOYAGERS RESCUED

Attempt To Sail To Hawaii Ends SAN FRANCISCO, July 15. Five amateur sailors, who failed miserably in an attempt to ride a Pacific current to Hawaii, were removed from their powerless raft, the Lehi, early today by the bananacarrying vessel Metapan. The Metapan gave her position as 200 miles south of San Francisco. The rescued crew are being taken back to San Francisco. The raft set out from San Francisco on Friday. The crew hoped to drift to Hawaii, living off the sea and making water with a solar still. The catch during the first few days was one salmon and one shark. Three Coast Guard vessels and two rescue aeroplanes were rushed last night to the aid of the raft, which reported itself in a sinking condition in heavy seas off the central Californian CO3St. . , 1 • The raft reported: “Taking water. Bow opened during heavy sea. Need tow. Sinkable condition.” The call came after two days of radio appeals by the raft’s radio operator, Don Smith, of Santa Rosa, to be taken from the Lehi.

Jets For Chinese Nationalists.—The Chinese Nationalist Air Force announced today that the first contingent of American FFF 86 Sabre jets would arrive in Formosa in one month’s time. But the Air Force declined to reveal the exact date of their arrival and the number of aeroplanes. Usually reliable sources have said the new group of Sabre jets would increase the Nationalist Air Force strength to three jet wings.—Taipeh, July 15.