TANKER SINKING IN ATLANTIC

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 15

TANKER SINKING IN ATLANTIC

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

PORTSMOUTH (Virginia). July 22. The crew of the 13-090-

ton Norwegian tanker Honnoer abandoned ship about IM miles east of

Portsmouth, Virginia, yesterday after their vessel was involved to a collision with the Ameri-

can tanker San Juan. The United States Coast Guard said both vessels “requested medi-

cal assistance.” Later, the skipper and several crewmen returned to th# Honnoer.

A Coast Guard plane circling overhead reported: “The Honnoer is still afloat but to.<ing badly.” The tote was expected to sink. These was no immediate indication of the size of crew or cargo aboard either ship. The San Juan was reported extensively damaged to the bow with flooding to toe first watertight bulkhead, but toe Coast Guard said it was to “no immediate danger." Later reports said toe Honnoer carried a crew of 42. 18 of whom returned to the sh p after earlier taking to toe lifeboats. The Honnoer said it had no casualties.

The San Juan radioed that toe Norwegian vessel was “smking slowly.” A Coast Guard atronaft

circling overhead said toe Honnoer had settled, leaving cniy four feet from its waterline to toe mair. deck.

Several merchant ships were diverted to toe scene.

The San Juan, a convened tanker, was on passage from New York to Puerto Rico with a cargo o£ trucks. Its forward watertight comportment flooded but its captain said toe vessel was seaworthy.