FEAR OF SUBMARINE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20187, 4 March 1940, Page 7

FEAR OF SUBMARINE

SHIP’S SOS CALL AMERICAN INQUIRIES (Reed. March 4, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 3. .It was reported on Friday that a submarine had attacked the British steamer Southgate which sent out a distress signal, her position being 130 miles north of Puerto Rico, and 1000 miles south-east of Miami. The United Sta.tes destroyers, McLeish, Statterlee, Mason, and the coastguard vessel Ujnalga, which were cruising in the vicinity went to the rescue, it being believed that the attack was probably within the safety zone. The Navy Department yesterday announced that United States naval planes located the Southgate in “no apparent danger.” A report from San Juan, Puerto Rico, stated that the United States defence authorities there revealed that two United States submarines were in the vicinity of the Southgate when the alarm was given and- it was suggested that she may have mistaken one for a U-boat. The Southgate was silent after the first SOS. Despite the reports from San Juan, however, navy officials at Washington are definite that no United States submarines were in the vicinity of the Southgate when she signalled her SOS. They said they were not blaming the captain for maintaining silence during the period of the search, apparently agreeing that fear of the raiders would be justifiable.