LINER DISASTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 September 1934, Page 7

LINER DISASTER

S.O.S. MESSAGE DELAYED OPERATOR’S DRAMATIC STORY [BY CARLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] NEW YORK, September 13. Giving further evidence to the Federal Government Board, which is. inquiring into the fire on the luxury liner, George W. Rogers, chief radio operator of the Morro Castle, said that -the instructions to send out the “5.0.5.” were not available until the furnishings of the radio room were ablaze, and until all but the emergency sending equipment was out of commission. through extreme heat. Witness said he and the first assistant. George Alaona. as well as Charles Mackay, second assistant radio operator, went to the bridge for instructions. Mackay did not return, but Alaona eventually returned, saying, “Let’s get out of here! They are running round on the bridge. I can’t, get. any co-operation.” Meanwhile, said witness, the freighter Luckenbach could plainly see the blazing vessel, and repeatedly asked over the radio what was the ship’s position, and also what to do-. However, for some reason, an “5.0.5.” order was delayed and delayed. Finally, on his. own initiative, witness sent a “Stand by” signal, and sent Alaona on a second trip to the bridge. He shortly returned with an “5.0.5.” order. By this time the power was off, and the room was in darkness. With the aid of a pocket flash light and an emergency storage battery, witness flashed the “5.0.5.”, and he continued to do so until he collapsed, being overcome by smoke and fumes. Alaona then dragged him to the deck, and somebody pushed him into a lifeboat. Ironically, Rogers was forced to testify that Alaona, the man who had saved his life, was considered to be a radical and a trouble maker by the late skipper. Captain Wilmott.

“RESCUE” OFFICERS’ PROTEST. (Received September 14, 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 13. Chief Officer James M. Plenderson, and Third Officer Harold Peterson, of the rescue liner, President Cleveland, told the Morro Castle Inquiry Board, to-day, that they did not wish to serve any longer with Captain Robert E. Carey, of the President Cleveland, because they alleged that Carey delayed in sending lifeboats to the aid of the Morro Castle. Peterson said he believed that more lives could have been saved if the Cleveland’s lifeboats had put out sooner. Carey said that two lifeboats were lowered “as soon as we could," but he said no people were picked up, as his men reported not seeing any to rescue. ‘