LOSS OF A TANKER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 29 October 1928, Page 5

LOSS OF A TANKER

SINKS ' WITH ALL HANDS.

TRAGEDY IN A STORM. DESPERATE GALLS FOR- HELP. (United Press Association—By electric Telegraph Copyright.) —United Service). KINGSTON (Jamaica), Oct. 2S. A striking story Qf the sinking of the American tanker David Reid as revealed in her desperate calls by radio for help is told by Commander Fulford, of the steamer Delilan, which has 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 SOS signed K. I. B. C., the call letters of the British tanker Silverbrook, later known as the David Reid, of the fleet of the John Day Shipping Company, Boston. The message stated : “We are in a bad way. Come over; we want assistance; twenty degrees list.’’ Seven minutes later another message was received : “We are going fast.” For a time there was silence, and then 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 in response to the calls.

The Delilian searched an extensive area till noon, but. no wreckage was sighted, although the -ship passed through a thick crude oil patch five miles in diameter.

With the David Reid 45 lives were lost.