Ships Rush to Rescue

Evening Star, Issue 20023, 14 November 1928, Page 5

Ships Rush to Rescue

Passengers and Crew of Vestris

in Peril

Large Number Picked Up

Uncertainty Regarding Remainder

Heavy Loss of Life Possible

freu Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

NEW YORK, November 13 (Received November 14, at 10 a.m.)

The latest messages from the rescuing vessels reported that all the passengers and crew of the Vestris had been picked up except the occupants of one boat and one raft.

The officials here claim that this means that at least 250 persons have already been rescued.

Tho American Shipper wirelessed stating that she had picked up three lifeboats with survivors, and was still standing by. The message also stated; “ One boat ami one raft still missing.” A further message from the French ship Myriam said that tho latter rescued two lifeboats, tho survivors including Captain Carey, of the Vestris. Tho officials of the Lamport, Holt Company here declare that each lifeboat was capable of carrying fifty-seven persons, ou which it bases tho conclusion that between 250 and 255 persons should now bo rescued.

No actual casualties wore reported up to 5.30 this morning.

Such definite details as are available show that the Myriam picked up fiftythree of the passengers and crew, the American Shipper picked up thirtythree passengers and ninety of the crew, while the battleship Wyoming wirelessed: “Passing through wreckage. Picked up five people from the water.” The Radio Marino Corporation intercepted a message stating that the steamship Berlin is carrying the passengers of two lifeboats, but it is not known whether or not these have been, transferred from another rescue ship.— Australian Press Association.

CONFLICTING REPORTS

Press Association—By Telegraph -Copyright NEW YORK, November Kb (Received November 14, at 9 a.in.) Later messages from tho scene of the disaster bespoke a possible tragedy. Tho Wyoming reported that it had rescued another survivor clinging to wreckage, shortly after which the Berlin sent three messages in quick succession, tho first reading:—“Rescued a man believed to bo dead in a drifting lifeboat”; tho second: “Rescued one man drifting in a lifeboat. He says that a woman, with a child, is drifting hero within a radius of two miles”; tho third: “Still searching for two lifeboats and a makeshift raft reported to have two women on it.” ft is thought (possible that tho first and second messages may bo confused, but no confirmation is at present available. The last of tho foregoing messages from tho Berlin was at variance with tho other reports regarding the number of lifeboats and rafts still missing, especially with the message relayed to tho coastguard headquarters at Washington from its Norfolk (Virginia) base, which advised that all the fileboats had been picked up hut that one raft was missing. This message also, stated that the American Shipper and the Myriam were proceeding to New York, while tho Wyoming, which was bending for the Hampton Roads coastguard headquarters, had ordered the cutters Mascoutin, Manning, and Modoc to continue tho search with the destroyers Davis and Cnckcr.—Australian Press Association.

215 RESCUED

LARGE HUMBER NOT ACCOUNTED FOR Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, November 13. (Received November 14, at 9 a.m.) At 1 p.m., the compilation showed 215 rescued (one dead), and 123 unaccounted for. The steamer American Shipper had on board 123 survivors, the Myriam sixty-three, the Berlin twenty-one, the Wyoming eight. A message received from tho American Shipper stated that tho Australian passenger, Davies, was rescued. His condition is not known.—Australian Press Association-United Service.

THE SEARCH GOES ON

ONE DEAD BODY FOUND Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, NEW YORK, November 13. (Received November 14, at 9.25 a.m.) One unidentified man was found dead from exposure on a raft. It is almost a full day since the passengers and crew, numbering 339, abandoned the ships Only 203 are definitely accounted lor with most of tho lifeboats picked up. Tho rescue began before dawn. The ships were attracted by flares. The liner Berlin, the tanker Myriam, and the battleship Wyoming shared in the rescue. Other ships are searching. Tho dirigible Los Angeles has been ordered to leave Lakehurst (Now Jersey) at 6 p.m. to join in tho search. —Australian Press Association-United Service.

A CORRECTION

frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, November 13. {Received November 14, at boon.) Tho Berlin later wirelessed that the first of her messages was erroneous and the second should be substituted for it.—Australian Press Association.

A DISTURBING REPORT

DEAD BODIES SIGHTED Press Association—By Telegraph -Copyright, WASHINGTON, November 13. (Received November 14, at noon.) Vice-Admiral Taylor, of the battleship Wyoming, wirelessed on Tuesday afternoon that a number of the Vestris’s dead had been sighted. He said he would discontinue the search in the evening, as it was not thought possible that any more persons could be rescued.—Australian Press Association.