SEIZURE OF SHIP

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1946, Page 7

SEIZURE OF SHIP

CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS OF SALVAGE SQUABBLE BRITISH CAPTAIN’S VERSION (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 8. Describing the seizure of the American Farmer by the American Ranger’s crew, John Edward Millers, captain of the Elizabeth said:— “I shouted to the Ranger’s chief officer, ‘you are not allowed to come aboard.’ He replied, ‘Don’t you want help.’ “In the meantime some Americans scrambled aboard. We could not stop them. Later the Ranger’s chief returned and shouted, ‘l’ve orders from Washington to start the engines.’ The Americans cut down our flag. The Ranger’s chief officer handed it back to me, saying, ‘Here’s your flag. Now into your boat and go to your ship.” Towropes Hacked Away. Members of . the Elizabeth’s crew said the American boarding party hacked away the two towrpes despite Captain Millers’ vigorous protests, and it was only under great pressure that Captain Millers abandoned the ship Captain Oscar Johnson, master of the American Ranger, stated at Falmouth that there was no trouble or violence when the men boarded the American Farmer and that the flag was not struck until he was ready to proceed with the ship—six hours after the chief engineer had boarded to get the engines running upon orders from Mr. D. E. Smythe, representative of the United States Line. He added: “The flag was taken down correctly and folded properly.” Captain Johnson expressed the opinion that the Elizabeth could never have brought the ship to port. “That is why I boarded her. I talked with the master of the Elizabeth and told him that I merely wanted to take the ship. He refused.” Mooring Lines Only. Captain Johnson said the Elizabeth had only four mooring lines—not towing lines—which were cut with a knife by the acting bosun. Captain Johnson added that he was satisfied after 22 hours that the British ship was making no progress. “My propellers never moved for 22 hours and the ship was still in the same position.” The United States Line’s legal adviser said a writ had been issued by the Ministry of Transport against the owners of the American Farmer for salvage. FREIGHTER’S ARRIVAL AT BRITISH PORT LONDON, August 8. Tjie United States freighter American Farmer, which was salvaged in the Atlantic, after a collision with the William J. Riddle on July 31, entered Falmouth after battling against a heavy swell. She reached port under her own steam, accompanied by her sister ship, the American Ranger, but two big tugs towed her through the narrow channel into the harbour. Seas had been washing into a 20ft hole in her port bow. Representatives of the owners, United States Lines, went on board the American Ranger as soon as she had berthed, and interviewed the master. He is expected to make a statement this afternoon about the dispute over the salvaging of the American Farmer. The American Farmer was taken in tow as a derelict by the British steamer Elizabeth, but the crew of the American Ranger took over the salvage while the United States destroyer Perry stood by. According to the master of the Elizabeth, Captain E. Millers, a crew from the American Ranger boarded the derelict, ordered his crew to leave, hauled down the ensign, and hoisted the American flag. The Ministry of Transport, on behalf of the owners of the Elizabeth, has sent in a salvage claim in connection with' the American Farmer.