Wrath of Congressmen Invoked

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 20, 25 January 1939, Page 5

Wrath of Congressmen Invoked

lack of Equipment On Flying-boat Cavalier HEROISM OF STEWARD United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright, Received Tuesday, 11.25 p.m. WASHINGTON, Jan. 24. Tho revelation that the Cavalier, the Bermuda flying-boat which was forced down in the Atlantic, although carrying American passengers had not been passed as airworthy by the American authorities, raised a storm in Congress. Senator Reynolds declared that Imperial Airways' failure to provide deicing equipment was gross negligence. Other Congressmen criticised the company severely. Representative Maas said planes not equipped in this way should bo grounded for immediate radical changes. An arrangement by which the United States and Britain will exchange air commerce facilities is forecast and Imperial Airways' planes will be forced to meet the American standards of safety before taking off from American airports.

The number of lifebelts on the Cavalier was also criticised. Captain M. Rowland Anderson, wno was in charge of the flying-boat, states that the survivors had nine, but the passengers say

The New York Times comments editorially: "Lifebelts hastily lashed together saved ten of the Cavalier's passengers, but collapsible rubberboats and inflatable liferafts with flares are more efficacious. They aro the standard equipment on Pan-American Airways' machines.' ’

Scenes of wild disorder marked tho arrival of the Esso Baytown, the Standard oil tanker which effected the rescue. A crowd fought the police, calling on the captain: "Tell your story." A telegraph boy was crushed under a gangway, receiving severe injuries. The police finally gave up and 1500 men and women swept aboard. They took possession of tho tanker, ran through the passageways, ripped open cabin doors, and invaded the hold and engineroom seeking souvenirs.

The survivors paid a tribute to Mr. Spence's heroism (Mr. Spence was a steward who was drowned). Injured and without a lifebelt he swam up and down encouraging the weary, adjusting slipping lifebelts, massaging stiff muscles and wiping off frostbite. Then exhausted ho slipped out of sight. Mr. Richardson, another victim, when tho sharks were attracted by blood from tho injured, said: "They're scared of their own shadows. Look! " and swam towards them splashing and shouting.