BRAVERY RECALLED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20639, 20 August 1941, Page 9

BRAVERY RECALLED

LOST BRITISH VESSEL The loss by a torpedo of the British motor-ship Silveryew, reported last week by the Vichy news agency, recalls a gallant action in which the vessel took part before the war. The Silveryew, of 6373 tons, was bound from San Francisco to Manila early in 1939, when, in answer to an S.O.S. from the stranded Norwegina motorship IFeogh Silvercrest, she was diverted to the scene. Her master, Captain W. Irvine, raced his ship at full speed for 30 hours to the Norwegian vessel, which was being dangerously pounded by heavy seas breaking on a reef. A lifeboat was manned for the dangerous journey to the Fleogh Silvercrest. After fine seamanship and heroic efforts, those on board were saved. The Norwegian Government later presented an inscribed silver cup to Captain Irvine and silver medals to the members of the boat’s crew in recognition of their bravery. The medals are given by Royal Decree in each case and are highly prized. The Vichy message stated that the captain and two of the crew were killed by the explosion.