SECOND APPEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22032, 12 February 1935, Page 9

SECOND APPEAL

SCHOONER'S S.O.S. AUSTRALIA RETURNING MASTER'S RADIO MESSAGE. SHIP'S RIGGING GONE REPORTED TO BE LEAKING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 11, 10.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 11 The master of the schooner Seth Parker early this morning (New York time) renewed his requests for assistance. He sent out a wireless message saying: " Rigging gone and ship leaking badly." This time the master sent a definite S.O.S. and shortly afterward it was reported that the cruiser Australia, in which the Duke of Gloucester is making his homeward voyage, was returning to the schooner's assistance.

The cruiser previously had answered the first distress call but on being informed that her help was not needed had resumed her voyage.

CRUISER'S RESCUE DASH ASSISTANCE NOT NEEDED RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS CALL SYDNEY. Feb. 11 A wireless message from the cruiser Australia relates the vessel's experience in answering the first S.O.S. call sent out by the Seth Parker. The despatch states: — After driving all night at 22 knots through high seas, which no doubt accounted for the previous night's dramatic call for assistance from the Seth Parker, we overhauled her at 5.50 a.m. on Sunday.

The ship was running before the wind. There was no sign of damage on board.

The schooner immediately hove-to. The report that she was a broadcasting ship was confirmed by her message:— "We are shortly going to broadcast over the network of the National Broadcasting Company of America. Please give us your captain's name so that we can give him credit for his kind assistance."

The Australia signalled: "Please report when satisfied that you no is>o£er need me. The Duke of Gloucester is on board."

Captain Philip Lord, master of the Seth Parker, sent a final message saving? " We wish to pay homage to the Duke of Gloucester, also to express our sincere thanks to the captain, officers, and crew of the Australia for their kindness and assistance. We are all right now and your assistance is no longer needed. Your arrival was like that of a doctor —trouble always disappears just before he arrives." The two ships then proceeded on their respective courses. The Australia heard the announcer on board the Seth Parker describing the incident to Honolulu and San Francisco stations.

SURPRISING CLIMAX SCHOONER NOT DAMAGED LIFEBOATS TRIM IN DAVITS (Received February 11, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. Feb. 10 A wireless despatch to the Associated Press from the Australia states that all on board the cruiser were surprised ■when sho overhauled the Seth Parker to find she was not in need of assistance after the cruiser had altered her course in response to her first radio call for help. Even the lifeboats on the schooner were hanging trim in their davits and there was no damage. Earlier the Seth Parker had wirelessed that the captain felt the danger had passed but the commander of the Australia decided to complete his mission. When the vessels were in sight of each other messages were exchanged, the Seth Parker then reporting that assistance was no longer needed.