RUSSIANS HALT U.S. SHIP

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 13

RUSSIANS HALT U.S. SHIP

“Violation On High Seas”

(Rec. 11 pjn.) NEW YORK, July 22.

The American freighter. Ocean Eva <6133 tons) was stopped on the high seas in the north Pacific on July 7 by a Russian warship, it was disclosed last night The incident became known when the wife of the skipper. Captain J. J. Buskin, made public a letter she had received from her husband.

In Washington, a spokesman said the United States Navy knew of the incident but gave no details. Marine legal experts said the incident was in violation of international law.

The skipper’s letter said: “We picked up a strange vessel heading for us from the north. Through the glasses, as he came closer, we saw Russian officers and he hoisted *K’—'Stop at once.’ “It was a Russian patrol boat armed with what appeared to be a four-inch gun for'd and a larger piece aft with the usual nests of anti-aircraft about the bridge and upper decks. “I stopped and he hailed me in fairly good English—asking what ship, what owners, where from and where bound. I answered all his questions as he lay close alongside. I asked them why they stopped me on the high seas. He replied: ‘Thank you, you may proceed.'