ON FIRE IN ATLANTIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 25 October 1941, Page 6

ON FIRE IN ATLANTIC

BRITISH MERCHANT SHIP CREWS DOGGED IIGHT AMERICAN DESTROYER TO RESCUE | (Roc. 9.38 a.m.) Rugby, Oct. 24. ] Rescue work by the crew of a United States destroyer when a British merchant ship caught lire in the Atlantic i:> described in naval circles. The light o:' the merchant ship’s crew to save the ship was equally dogged. For 13 hours they fought a losing battle with flames. The engine-room bulkhead grew rodi hot and flames shot down into the j .stokehold, making it impossible for I anyone to remain there. The saloon | deck caught tire and collapsed. The j hatches also collapsed and there was j only one small island on the port side ) from which the crew continued to tight i the fire. The engineers had to leave j the engine-room and the rumps ceased | u- work. CALL SENT OUT The captain now sent out a call for assistance and ordered the crew into the boats. He and the chief engineer remained aboard to drop confidential papers over the side. By this time the whole ship was blazing furiously. The captain and the chief engineer leapt into the sea and ■ am to a boat. A patrolling American destroyer searched round the sea lit by the lire in sheets of rain. At last a boat was found drawn in under the counter of the burning ship and still made fast by the painter. Every man in the boat was fast asleep. All were rescued. PLUCKY ACTION SAVES LIFE While the crew were boarding the destroyer a native seaman slipped and fell into the water. He was too weak to swim against the rough sea and was lapidly drifting away when Ensign I. C. Savage dived fully clothed to his help. After twenty minutes’ struggle Ensign Savage towed him near enough to the destroyer for a line to be thrown and both were hauled aboard. At the time of the rescue there was a very rough sea and a heavy swell tunning. It was raining heavily aitfl very dark.—B.O.W.