“GOING FAST."

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10729, 29 October 1928, Page 5

“GOING FAST."

TRAGEDY OF THE SEA. BRITISH VESSEL RECEIVES S'.O.S. CALLS. THEN SUDDEN SILENCE. SINKING OF AMERICAN TANKER DAVID REID. FORTY-FIVE LIVES LOST. Untmd Press Assn. t>y El. Tel. Copyrient (United Service.) {Received Oct. 28, 11 p.m.) KINGSTON, Oct, 27. A striking story of the sinking of the American ranker David Reid as revealed in lior desperate calls by radio for help is told by Commander Fiilford of the steamer Delilian, which arrived after a futile effort to aid the sinking ship. "While the Delilian was hove to on October 14 in a hurricane 600 miles west of the Azores, she received an S.O.S. signed K.1.8.C., the call letter of the British tanker Silverbrook, later known as the David Reid of the fleet of the John lvay Shipping Co., Boston. The message stated: —

“We are in a bad way. Come over; want assistance. Twenty degree list.”

Seven minutes later another message was received :

We are going fast.”

For a time there was a silence and then eamo a further message:—

Going fast.’’

The tanker’s operator then sent a series of calls in order to establish her position. Suddenly these stopped. Commander Fulford expressed the opinion that at this point the tanker reeled over and sank. The Delilian did her utmost to reach the position given, but- was able to make, little headway against the wind and heavy seas, reaching it on the morning of October 15, together with the freighter Rotterdam, which had come np. The Delilian searched an extensive area till noon, but no wreckage was sighted, although the ship passed through a thick crude oil paten, five miles in diameter. Forty-five lives were lost.