U.S. NAVY DISASTER

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1942, Page 5

U.S. NAVY DISASTER

189 Men Lost TWO CONVOY VESSELS WRECKED. (Rec. 8.40.) WASHINGTON. Feb. 24. The U.S. Navy, in a communique, has announced that in the Atlantic area, an old United States destroyer the “Truxton,” and a cargo ship, the “Pollux” ran aground, in foul weather, off Newfoundland. Both have been lost. Owing to an extremely difficult surf, a raging gale, and bitter winter weather, the loss of life on the vessels has been heavy. Heroic efforts to swim lines ashore failed, because the lines were oil-soaked and it was impossible to handle them. A breeches boy finally was rigged to a ledge at sea level, but some of the survivors were washed away before they reached the cliff top. Both of the ships broke up quickly. The survivors owed their rescue, in a large measure, to tireless, efficient and heroic action of the people of St. Lawrence in New Foundland. LATER. It has been announced that 189 officers and men from the destroyers •‘Truxton” >and cargoshjp “Polluxi” have been killed. This has been one of the worst sea disasters in United States history. Both vessels were engaged on convoy duty along the south coast of Newfoundland and at the mouth of Placentia Bay when the mishap occurred.