THE GIRL PAT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 June 1936, Page 5

THE GIRL PAT

STORY OF CAPTURE CHASE BY MOTOR BOAT POLICE AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS •' (United Pres? Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 20th June. The “Daily Mail’s” special correspondent at Georgetown, who watched the Girl Pat’s capture from a motor boat, cables that the Girl Pat was anchored four miles from shore await- .; Ing the tide. Meantime, after conferences throughout the night, the port authorities and Sir Geoffrey Northcot, the Governor, ordered a chase ~ and the arrest of the vessel. Thirty armed native police, three British exservicemen, and three local military police officers boarded the police i : steamer Pomeroon, which steamed ;V , out at dawn. The Girl Pat, with damaged sails and a generally battered appearance, set sail and started her auxiliary engine and steered for the open sea. She cleverly manoeuvred until the wind dropped as the sun. rose, enabling the Pomeroon to run alongside, sinking the Girl Pa.t’s • ••• dinghy, which was trailing astern and smashing the trawler’s bulwarks. The crew declare they did not steal , .. the Girl Pat and that they did not want to return to England. The Girl ~ Pat’s crew decline to see the press. At present they are not detained. The police authorities have cabled England for instructions, but they decline to state whether they are prosecuting. regardedTs heroes

GRIMSBY PREPARING A WELCOME ATLANTIC CONQUERED WITHY SIXPENNY ATLAS (Received 22nd June, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, 31st June. Whatever the legal position, the residents of Grimsby regard the Girl Pat’s crew as heroes and are preparing a welcome for Skipper Osborne, who is hailed as a fearless and skilled navigator, who conquered the Atlantic with a sixpenny atlas. Mrs Osborne was overjoyed to receive a message: “0.K., see you all soon. Love—Dad.” She said: “This is the happiest day of my life. No matter why my husband went away, he is forgiven. All I care about is that he is alive and well.” A movement has been started to raise a fund for the crew and their families. Sir Walter Womersley, member of the House of Commons for Grimsby, is making contact with the Foreign Office and the Board of Trade with a view to their early return.. The “News of the World” understands that neither the police, Lloyd’s nor the Board of Trade contemplates action against the crew.