ATLANTIC STORM

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1939, Page 8

ATLANTIC STORM

VESSELS SEEK ASSISTANCE. [RY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] NEW YORK, October 18. The coastguard vessel Hamilton is speeding to ansiver a call from the liner President Harding’, for medical supplies. Many aboard are seriously injured through a storm. Another coastguard vessel. the Duane, is hurrying to the British ship Blairbeg, which has appealed for immediate assistance. The positions of both vessels are south of Newfoundland. The President Harding ieported recently having rescued survivors from a sunken ship. DANGER AVERTED (Recd. Oct. 19, 12.50 p.m.). NEW YORK, October 18. The Blairbeg radioed that she had lost her rudder chains. British and United States steamers sent messages that they 7 were going to the rescue. The distance was then 12 to 16 hours. A later message stated that the Blairbeg radioed that further assistance was not needed. The coastguard vessel, Duane, reached the Blairbeg, and, presumably after rendering assistance, resumed her neutrality patrol, to which she had been assigned. The President Harding radioed that 73 of the passengers and crew were injured, 23 seriously, and one is believed to have been lost in the storm. A coastguard vessel contacted the liner, 800 miles off Boston. The sea was so rough that medical supplies were presumably transferred by line. The President Harding declared that I further assistance was not needed, and she is proceeding to New York.