BRITISH VESSEL WRECKED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 June 1936, Page 7

BRITISH VESSEL WRECKED

IS IT THE GIRL PAT? THREE BODIES FOUND (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 16th June. Lloyd’s agent at Inagua, in the Bahamas, has reported by telegraph that a native fishing vessel has reported that a small British vessel was seriously damaged and wrecked at Eastern Samana Cay. They found three white men dead. It may possibly be the missing trawler the Girl Pat. A message received from Inagua confirms the finding of a vessel believed to be the Girl Pat, and adds that the sloop H.M.S. Dove was attracted to the trawler by the sight of the British flag. The sloop found the vessel badly damaged on a reef and three bodies on a ledge nearby, and also found suitcases, a Bible, and nautical instruments. The crew of H.M.S. Dove buried the bodies. The Bahamas Government cabled the nearest magistrate to proceed to Samana Cay Island to investigate.

MYSTERY STILL UNSOLVED (Received 18th June, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, 17th June. The mystery whether the British vessel which was reported to be found wrecked at the Bahamas is the Girl Pat is still unsolved. Lloyd’s were informed that a hurricane was raging, making an immediate search impossible. The venue of the reported wreck is a coral encircled island with exceedingly difficult and treacherous seas. It is the scene of frequent wrecks. If the vessel turns out to be the Girl Fat it means sne has travelled more than a thousand miles since she was last seen. Jack Vincent, one of the Girl Pat’s owners states: “We hear all sorts of fantastic stories, but this seems genuine. Skipper Osborne’s w. : fe is still hopeful of seeing her husband sgam. The object of the Girl Pat’s wanderings is still one of the deepest of Via mysteries. A search for the North Sea trawler Girl Pat has been carried out since the trawler left Corcubion (Spam) on 21 st April. The owners have come to the conclusion that the master and crew have made off with the ship. On 11th June the master of an American steamer reported that a vessel believed to be the Girl Pat had been seen flying distress signals near Cayenne.