MID-OCEAN CALL FOR HELP

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 57, 30 November 1929, Page 9

MID-OCEAN CALL FOR HELP

UNUSUAL SICKNESS ON •CARGO TRAMP

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FROM TAMAROA

Dominion Special Service. Auckland. Novembe.r 28. News of a dramatic call for medical • assistance picked up in the Pacific Ocean on November 7 was brought to Auckland by the steamer Min, which arrived from New York to-day. The call was made by the H. M. Thompson Line steamer Sithonia, of 6640 tons, and the Min was able to secure help from the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Line steamer Tamaroa, which was en route from Wellington to London. Mr. H. Roberts, wireless operator of the Min, heard the Sithonia’s call early in the evening. Communication was established, and the Sithonia, which was bound from Tampico to Brisbane with cargo, made an urgent appeal for medical advice. It was stated that three of the crew had become violently ill with a strange complaint, and all efforts to treat them had proved fruitless. The Min does not carry a doctor, and Mr. Roberts, who sent out a general call, managed to tune in to the Tamaroa by means of relaying messages. The symptoms of the three sufferers on the Sithonia were explained to the doctor on the Tamaroa. So strange were they that he was unable to diagnose the case accurately. As the men were showing signs of distress it was decided that the Tamaroa and Sithonia, which were about 400 miles apart at the time, should meet the following day at an appointed place. Having done all it could the Min continued its voyage to Auckland. Wireless messages received later from the Tamaroa stated that the Sithonia was met at 8 next morning. Before the doctor went on board, however, one of the three men had died. It was found that the men were suffering from a severe form of heat stroke. The two survivors were treat ed, and advice given for their care, and shortly after the two vessels parted.