SAVED BY RADIO

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 289, 2 September 1931, Page 6

SAVED BY RADIO

Woman’s Life Endangered SHIP’S RESCUE DASH On the return of the pilot steamer Birubi from Lord Howe Island it was revealed that the life of Mrs. Shick. a resident on the island, had undoubtedly been saved by‘ the expeditious dispatch of the steam- carrying a doctor, nurse, and wireless operator. At a few hours’ notice from the Lord Howe Island Board of Control. Dr. Moon and Nurse Dickson, of the Coast Hospital. boarded the Birubi at Newcastle, together with a hurriedly completed radio equipment under the control of Mr. G. J. Flynn, engineer of Amalgamated Wireless. The vessel sailed immediately into the teeth of a terrific gale, which prostrated the rescue party and most of the crew. Mr. Flynn, who has bad years of experience as a marine radio telegraphist, luckily stood up to the storm. Starting at 6 a.m., by 4 p.m, he had the radio set in action and was in touch with the station at Lord Howe Island. He received constant reports of Mrs. Shick’s condition. and wirelessed back Dr. Moon’s instructions. The medical party had difficulty in landing at the island in consequence of the weather, but an operation was performed immediately, and after a stay of 36 hours the doctor was satisfied that his patient was out of danger. Before the Birubi left Lord Howe Island most of the community boarded the ship and made speeches in appreciation of the services rendered by medical and radio science on behalf of one of their number. They pointed out that the radio station, established by Amalgamated Wireless eighteen months ago. had never before been called upon for such an urgent matter.