Waves Kill Seamen

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 11

Waves Kill Seamen

(A Z Press Association—Copyright)

PERTH, May 31.

A succession of giant waves killed two seamen and injured five others aboard the 8141-ton British freighter, Clan MacDonald, at sea west of Fremantle yesterday afternoon.

Huge seas crashing over the foc’sle caused the deaths and injuries. Asian seamen were swept off their feet by an enormous wave and dashed against the foc’sle head when they went forward to secure winch gear. It is believed they were kliled outright. Chief Officer S. W. Grant, the chief steward, and others attempted a rescue but succeeding waves swept them off their feet, resulting in more injuries

The first news of the tragedy was reported in a brief radio message early today when the Clan Macdonald notified Fremantle that it was returning to port with dead and injured. The ship showed no structural damage from the gale and freak waves apart from twisted railing when it reached port. It came into port through dismal rain squalls with the Red Ensign hanging limply

at half mast over her stern. Crew members lined the rails in silence.

The freighter is carrying a cargo of apples for Britain, and it is expected that it will resume its voyage tomorrow. Crew members said some of the waves reached more than 60 feet and swept over the bow and foc’sle.