N.Z. Skipper Tells Of Arrest Of Ship

Press, Volume C, Issue 29459, 10 March 1961, Page 17

N.Z. Skipper Tells Of Arrest Of Ship

(Rec. 9 p m.) LONDON. March 9. Attempts by * boarding party to prevent signals going out from the British freighter. West Breese, intercepted by a French frigate in the Mediterranean on February 23. were described today by the freighter’s master. Captain Eric Milroy. when the ship docked at Liverpool The boarding party took charge of the bridge and the radio room, forbade all communication. and “even put the lifeboat radio transmitter for sending out distress signals under armed guard, be said But they did not know that the 6275-ton ship, which carried a general cargo from Communist China, already sent out a message giving its position Captain Milroy said that shortly after the boarding, a Shackleton aircraft from Gibraltar appeared and began signalling the west

Breeze. An Aldis lamp signal was sent away before the French put the lamp out.

Captain Milroy,a native of Troon, Scotland, and now living in New Zealand, said the armed boarding party had not menaced the crew, but got “a bit tougher" after the Shackleton left. Britain last week protested to France against the arrest of the West Breeze Official French sources have said a reply will be sent in due course.

The West Breeze was intercepted by the French 17 miles off the coast of Spain and escorted to the French naval base of Mers-el-Kebir, near Oran, in Algeria. She was released two days later The ship’s cargo was searched and found to be clothing and medicines.

Asked if he knew what the French were searching for. Captain Milroy replied: “Your guess is as good as mine.” The French would not say on what authority they had acted, and offered no ’ apology afterwards.