S.O.S.

Evening Star, Issue 20022, 13 November 1928, Page 6

S.O.S.

SHIP IN DISTRESS VESTRIS FROM NEW YORK ABANDONED BY PASSENGERS AND CREW Pre« Association—By Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, November 12. (Received November 13, at 11 a.m.) The wireless operator of the Vestris sent an S.O.S. shortly after 10 o’clock this morning, and continued frantic appeals for help for over three hours.

Tho last message, received at 1.25 p.m., bearing Captain Carey’s signature, lead;

“ We arc now abandoning the we are taking to the lifeboats.”

Further word stated that the passengers were first sent away in the lifeboats, while the captain and a skeleton crew remained on board the vessel until all hope was abandoned. A series of messages throughout the morning intimated that tho wireless operator was holding his post, despite the fact that tho vessel was likely to sink at any minute. No word lias yet been received as to the cause of tho disaster. The vessel was bound to Buenos Aires from Now York.—Australian Press Association. A RUSH TD HELP MANY STEAMERS ON THE WAY NEW YORK, November 12. (Received November 13, at noon.) Tho liner Vestris is sinking 300 miles off Hampton Roads. Tho passengers, numbering 150, and tho crew abandoned tho ship at 1.25 p.m. on Monday. Tho first assistance is expected at 5 p.m. Tho sea is rough. Among tho passengers is Mr W. W. Davies (formerly American correspondent for the Australian Press Association), now occupying a post in Buenos Aires. Within a few minutes after the first distress call was received there began 'a dramatic race to reach the stricken ship. Seven vessels were speeding towards the spot within an hour, including tho United States warship Wyoming. Tho coastguard destroyer Davis was nearest to the scene, but she was almost 100 miles away at 1 o’clock, and with her fires under Forced draught could not arrive for three hours at the earliest, and probably later. No other vessel could possibly reach the spot before 5 or 6 o’clock, indicating that the passengers and crow must occupy tho boats in what tho messages describe as a “ moderately rough sea ” for several hours before hope of rescue. Later advices, however, indicate that the Japanese steamship Ohio Maru is nearer than the destroyer Davis, and is likely to reach the vicinity by 4 o’clock.

It transpires that the Vcstris gradually settled over to starboard until the angle was so great that it was only with difficulty that the passengers, mustered on deck and in the cabins wearing lifebelts, could maintain their footing.— Australian Press Association. CAUSE Of THE ACCIDENT CARGO SHIFTS NEW YORK, November 12. (Received November 13, at 1 p.m.) Information received at the coastguard headquarters indicates that the accident to the Vestris was probably caused by her cargo shifting. Major Inouy© (Japanese Consul at Buenos Aires) was among the passengers. The abandonment of the vessel began at 12.50 p.m. and lasted for thirtyfive minutes, with the seas running high as the small boats put out. The captain notified the destroyer Davis that just prior to leaving the ship the seas were washing over decks. —Australian Press Association. AN ANXIOUS TIME r RESCUE BOATS DELAYED BY WEATHER NEW YORK, November 12. (Received November 13, at 1 p.m.) The last message received from the Vcstris was at 1.25 p.m., when the wireless operator announced that he was joining the passengers and crow, who were already in the boats, Previous messages told of the great danger, as the ship was lying on her side with the decks awasli as the passengers loft. Nothing was said indicating the cause of the trouble. Apparently there had been no collision. The theory that the mishap was duo to the shifting oi the cargo is supported by the fact that i the week-end storm would cause con- ’ siderable tossing. Reports indicate that the conditions are serious, as the rescue steamers are delayed by rough water. The coastguard destroyer Davis is expected to be the first to roach the scene about 5 p.m. The Weather Bureau reports that it is not stormy to-day, but it is believed that the waves are running high from the severe blow on Sunday. It is feared' that the small boats will lie scattered by the time the rescue steamers arrive, and with darkness approaching the outlook is not pleasant. A dozen steamers and numerous Government craft are racing to the scene. —Australian Press Association. [The Vestris is a steel, twin-screw steamer of 10,494 tons. She was built in 1912 by Workman, Clark, and Co., of Belfast, and is owned by the LamI port, Holt Company. Her length overall is 495.5 ft, and she has a beam of ! 60.8 ft. Her registered port is Liverpool.]