Was Bogus SOS Call Accidental ?
NO DEPARTMENTAL INQUIRY United Press Association— By Electric Telesrra pit. —Co py right. SYDNEY, Jan. 11. No investigation of the bogus SOS call purporting to have come from the coastal vessel Himatangi which was received in Sydney on Friday will be made by the Navigation Department. It is believed that tho message was caused accidentally by a false movement of the key of the equipment fitted to coastal vessels.
A cablegram received from Sydney stated that tho SOS resulted iu several vessels, including tho destroyer Vendetta, preparing to go to the Himatangi’s assistance. Later it was discovered that the Himatangi was safe. She arrived at Sydney that night, when her captain disclaimed all knowledge of ihe SOS. Cam and Sons, the owners of the Himatangi, made a statement that they could only regard the message as a malicious hoax, intended to reflect adversely on the seaworthiness of the Himatangi. A number of ships at sea raced to the vicinity expecting to find the Himatangi in distress. The Deputy Director of Navigation said that he viewed the matter seriously and the incident would be the subject of a full inquiry. Wireless tehcnicians will be called upon in a determined effort to trace tho source of the spurious call.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 9, 12 January 1938, Page 7
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212Was Bogus SOS Call Accidental ? Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 9, 12 January 1938, Page 7
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