Planes Bring Rescuers To Men On Rafts

Northern Advocate, 22 December 1939, Page 7

Planes Bring Rescuers To Men On Rafts

(Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 21

Crossing the North Sea en to an important objective 200 miles away, a Royal Air Force Coastal Command plane discovered six men slinging to a raft. The fliers ensured their rescue, and then the plane continued its mission. The men on the raft were the survivors of the Swedish steamer Lister (1366 tons).

It was essential for the aircraft to fly on to its objective, but it first flashed a reassuring message to those on the raft, and sent a radio message to its base, giving the raft’s position. A second plane immediately set out to watch the raft, while the Admiralty ordered a destroyer to the rescue. A gale sprang up, driving the raft fast to the leeward.

ICC-Mile Search

The second plane searched for 100 miles before finding the raft, and it was then necessary to divert the destroyer. from its original course. The plane was obliged to guide the destroyer by firing flares into the sea, owing to bad visibility, but the airmen . eventually saw the destroyer pick up the six survivors. About 200 miles away another coastal plane sighted a solitary man on another raft.

The pilot deviated 60 miles from his course to find a merchant vessel, which rescued the seaman..