"TORPEDOED" SHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23281, 25 February 1939, Page 13

"TORPEDOED" SHIP

S.O.S. REGARDED AS HOAS VESSELS ABANDON SEARCH AMATEUR OPERATOR : BLAMED LONDON. Feb. 23 The S.O.S. from a ship using the call sign PECC, stating that she had been torpedoed by a submarine and was sinking, which was picked up by the Portishead radio station, is regarded as a hoax. Thefaearch has been abandoned. It is believed that anflamateur wireless broadcaster in Southern Europe, or in the Azores, was responsible. Rumours that the S.O.S. came from a British tanker, the Pecten, which left Trinidad on February 8 and is due at Southampton on February 27, were discounted by the owners. They said it was miles from the locality. Lloyd's stated that the Pecten last reported at 2.10 a.m. on Sunday, when she was 150 miles south-west of the Azores. Her approximate position yesterday would bo between the Azores and the English «oast. The master of the Pecten has nowradioed the owners that the vessel will arrive in Southampton next Sunday. A message from the Azores says a steamer, which arrived last Friday, reported that two submarines of an unknown nationality were south of Fayal Island, but it is pointed out that naval manoeuvres are common in the vicinity of Fayal Island in the springtime. Two German cruisers and one supply ship visited Horta last week a*d two Italian cruisers and one supply ship arrived on Wednesday. A Dutch warship is expected. NO MESSAGE RECEIVED FRENCH WARSHIPS REPORT, Independent Cable Service LONDON". Feb. 23 French circles state that several French warships were in" the vicinity of the Azores, but none picked up an 5.0.5., reporting that a vessel was torpedoed.