SICK DISTRESS CALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18662, 19 March 1924, Page 10

SICK DISTRESS CALL.

WIRELESS MESSAGE AT SEA. AID FOR SHIP'S CAPTAIN. INCIDENT' ON lONIC'S TRIP. Passengers -who arrived at Auckland yesterday by the lonic were treated to an interesting instance of the usefulness! of wireless telegraphy. On the -morning of May 21 a sick distress call was received from an American steamer, the Cape May, bound from Australia to New York, asking the position of the lonic, anil if a doctor were on board. The lonic, being 100 miles away, proved to be the best available ship, ajid. altering her course, picked up the Cape May at 5.45 a.m. on March 2. The lights of the Cape May were discovered some time before break of day, and she was then burning green flares so that she might the more readily be seen. It was decided to wait until daybreak before the doctor on the lonic should board the American ship. There was a moderate swell running. The Cape May sent away a lifeboat, and Dr Mann, of the lonic, went on-board with his assistants. It was found that tho captain of the Capo May was suffering from carbuncle fever, a very distressing -omplaint. After medical assistance had been given and medicines had been sent on board the Cape May, the vessels, after a delay of two hours, proceeded on their way. It was at first suggested that Captain Seeley should be taken aboard the lonic, but as this vessel was 15 days' distant from New Zealand, and his own ship could make Balboa within five days, it was decided that he ighould go on to the Panama port and seek hospital treatment. Tiie ■ Stars and Stripes flying over the stern of the American ship was dipped as an acknowledgment, the ship's whistle was sounded several times, and the signal, "Thanks; wish you a pleasant voyage," was hoisted. The lonic responded with several blasts on her whistle and the hoisting of the signal, " Wish you a pleasant voyage." Subsequent wireless messages received by Captain Hickson, of the lonic, were to the effect that the captain of the Cape May was progressing favourably under the treatment prescribed. These messages continued to be received until the Cape May went out of wireless range.