TANKER’S SINKING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 29, 29 October 1928, Page 11

TANKER’S SINKING

DESPERATE CALLS BY RADIO FUTILE EFFORT TO RENDER AID . 1 FORTY-FIVE LIVES LOST (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Service.) (Rec. October 28, 11.5 p.m.) Kingston (Jamaica), October 27. A striking story of the sinking of the American tanker David Reid, revealed in her desperate calls by radio for help, is told by Commander Fulford, of the steamer Delilian, which arrived after a futile effort to aid the sinking ship. While the Delilian was hove to on October 14 in a hurricane, 600 miles west of Azores, she received an S.O.S. signed KIBC, the call letters of the British tanker Silverbrook, later known as the David Reed of the fleet of the John Kay Shipping Company, Boston. The message stated: “We are In a bad way. Come over. Want assistance. Twenty-degree list.” Seven minutes later another message was received: “We are going fast.” For a time there was silence and then a further message: “Going fast.” The tanker’s operator then sent a series of calls in order to establish her position. Suddenly these stopped. Commander Fulford expressed the opinion that at this point the tanker heeled over and sank. The Delilian did her utmost to reach the position given, but was able to make little headway against the wind and heavy seas. On reaching it on the morning of October 15, together with the freighter Rotterdam, which had come up, the Delilian searched an extensive area till noon, but no wreckage was sighted, although the ship passed through a thick crude oil patch five miles in diameter. Forty-five lives were lost.