DRAMA OF THE SEA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 155, 16 June 1932, Page 3

DRAMA OF THE SEA

FRENCH LINER ON FIRE PART PLAYED BY WIRELESS. BRIEF BUT GRAPHIC STORY. Auckland, June 15. A poignant drama of the sea is vividly told in brief wireless messages exchanged between nearby vessels during the search for survivors from the new French liner Georges Phillippar, which was destroyed by fire in the Gulf of Aden last month. The messages necessarily give no complete picture of events. Their conciseness, however, reflects the urgency of action and the anxiety of all vessels hear enough at hand to lend assistance. In the hour of peril nationality imposes no barrier, and British and Russian vessels were among those which rushed to the aid of the stricken French liner. On board the P. and 0. steamer Kai-ser-i-Hind, which was in the vicinity of the disaster, Mr J, Yock, of Auckland, who has forwarded to the “New Zealand Herald’’ a copy of the messages received and sent by that vessel during the rescue operations The first news was conveyed in a message sent by the steamer Contractor, which reported “an unknown ship on fire, position bearing S64W, distance five miles from Guardafui—awaiting daylight.” A later mesage read: “Crew of ship on fire taking covers off boats. ’ ’ THREE VESSELS STANDING BY. The second message indicated that the Contractor was in fairly close view of the burning vessel. Half an hour later came these further details:, — “Ship on fire is apparently a Dutchman and a passenger ship. Contractor is putting out lifeboats and rafts and is standing by to pick them up.” After another half-hour’s suspense came a further message, identifying the vessel and adding: “Crowds of survivors are now coming aboard.” The prompt response to the Contractor’s first message was shown by the fact that, just an hour after its despatch, another was received stating that the Russian tanker Sovetskia Neft was also standing by the George Phillippar and was taking on survivors, while the steamer Mahsiid was also on the scene.

The first real indication of the gravity of the situation followed 20 minuates later with the report that there were about 200 passengers still of board the French liner. In subsequont amplification it was, stated: “Approximately 500 pasengers on board Georges Philippar, and still about 200 remain. Ship afire all over. Only safe spot is forecastle head. Wind changing now. ’ ’ THE RESCUE OPERATIONS. The Kaiser-i-Hind was a considerable distance from the scene of the disaster, but judging from the times noted against the message it was considered that a meeting between the Contractor and the Kaiser-i-Hind might be arranged in about eight hours. A message was accordingly sent asking if it were desired to transfer any of the survivors from the Contractor to the Kaiser-i-Hind. ‘ ‘ We have three badly-burned passengers, and will transfer if necessary,” replied the Contractor. “So far wo have five boat-loads and expect two more in 15 minutes. All boats busy all ships. Ships standing by’ now are Contractor, Sovietskaia Neft, Mahsud and Benrinnes. ”

Within thre hours of the first tidings came a message stating: “Captain, officers, passengers and crew of Georges Philippar abandoned ship. lives lost in vessel; number unknown.” The Kaiser-i-Hind then wirelessed that she was proceeding to a position mentioned in the earlier message, offering assistance, and added: “Will bo ready to receive injured persons if required. Am bound for Colombo, Can give accommodation and provisions if required. ’ ’ An intercepted message to all stations brought the next news. “Keep sharp look-out for raft with tv.o men,” it read. “Position five miles north ol» Guardafui. Georges Philippar abandoned. Captain on Sovetskaia Neft.” An acknowledgment of the Kaiser-i-Hind’s offer came shortly afterwards. “Thanks, but proceeding Aden passengers and injured,” it stated. “At present searching for spare boats and rafts. Keep look-out for rafts bearing about south-east from George Philippar.”

“YOUR SPLENDID RESCUE.” “Congratulations on your splendid rescue, ’ ’ said an answering message from the Kaiser-i-Hind. “Very many thanks for your appreciation,” replied the Contractor. ‘ 1 Georges Philippar is still afloat and burning furiously about five miles north Guardafui. She is a new ship on maiden voyage.” “There are about 400 passengers on the Russian tanker, which was standing by French steamer from 2.30 a.m., ’ ’ stated a further message from the Contractor. “I have got wives without husbands and children without parents, and they are all anxious to know: Are you taking survivors off Russian and taking to Aden? Cannot make Russian understand English or French.” To ease the minds of those on board the Contractor a message was sent, stating that an intercepted message had indicated that the Russian tanker was also proceeding to Aden with survivors. TANKER RESCUES 420 SURVIVORS. The Kaiser-i-Hind intercepted further messages between the Sovietskaia Neft and the Sikiang, but their meaning could only- be guessed at as no definite translations could be made. However, the Russian tanker stated she was 28 miles north of Guardafui, and the other vessel intimated she would make a further search “to-morrow morning.” “Is assistance required?” asked H.M.S. Hastings, which requested a brief report on the situation, which the Kaiser-i-Hind furnished. Tension was to some extent relieved when the Russian tanker was heard advising Aden that she would arrive there at 3 a.m. with 420 survivors, and requesting that accommodation bo prepared. The tanker was asked by the Kaiser-i-Hind if any immediate assistance was required, but no answer was received.

It was later established that there were 769 persons on board the French liner, and that approximately 48 perished in the disaster.