TANKER LOST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 October 1928, Page 5

TANKER LOST

WITH CREW OF FORTY-FIVE

I-OUNDERS IN HURRICANE

RESCUE SHIPS ARRIVE TOO LATE

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright United Service

KINGSTON (Jamaica), (27th October. A striking story of the sinking of the American tanker David Reid, revealed in her desperate calls by radio for help, is told by Commander Fulford of the steamer Delilian, which arrived, after a futile effort to aid the sinking ship. While the Delilian was hove to on 14th October in a hurricane, 600 miles west of the Azores, she received an S.O.S. signed K.1.8.C., the call letters of the British tanker Silverbrook, later known as the David Reid, of the fleet of. the John Kay Shipping Company, Boston.

The messages stated: “We are in a bad way. Come over, wo want assistance; a 20 degree list.”

Seven minutes later another message was received: “We are going fast.” For a time there was silence, then a further message: “Going fast.” The tanker’s operator then "sent a series of calls in order to establish her position, and suddenly these stopped. Commander Fulford expressed the opinion that at this point the tanker reeled over and sank. The Delilian did its utmost to reach the position given, but was able to make little headway against the wind and heavy seas, reaching it on the morning of 15th October, together with the freighter Rotterdam which had come up. The Delilian searched an extensive area till noon, but no wreckage was sighted, although' the ship passed through a thick crude oil patch five miles in diameter. Forty-five lives were lost.