EPIC OF THE SEA

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1926, Page 4

EPIC OF THE SEA

One of the finest deeds recorded in the annals of the sea is that performed by the crew of the American steamer President Roosevelt, who rescued all hands from the British tramp, Antinoe, which was overwhelmed in an Atlantic hurricane. The story of the great battle with the elements, which has been graphically told in our cable columns, must have thrilled the readers. On sighting the doomed steamer, the officers and crew of the President Roosevelt found themslves faced by a task ■which, humanly speaking, appeared to be impossible. But the indomitable will of seamen won through. For three j days and nights, amidst all the fury of the hurricane, the Americans stood by their British comrades. Time after time rescue attempts were made, and time after time the raging waves triumphed, four lifeboats being lost during one day alone. At long last, the President Roosevelt received safely the British crew. It was a wonderful achievement, and redounds to the glory of the American mercantile marine. It will serve to bind more closely than ever the bonds .which knit the great English-speaking peoples. King George sent to Presdent Coolidge a very flue message expressive of the thanks and gratitude of the British nation. The reply of the President was touchingly eloquent. The event, he said, “is but characteristic of the heroism and gallantry which have characterised alike the mariners of the United States and those of Groat, Britain.” , The President’s statement is worthy of a great occasion. The decoration, by King George, of the officers and men who took part in this epic of the sea will give as much pleasure to the people of the British Empire as it will give to the people of the United States.