SAVED BY R.A.F.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23489, 28 October 1939, Page 8

SAVED BY R.A.F.

TORPEDOED CEEW ' FINE SEAPLANE FEAT THE CAPTAIN'S STORY ;"A TREMENDOUS THRILL" [from otjb own correspondent] LONDON, Sept. 22 How his ship was sunk by a German submarine and how his crew of 34 were subsequently picked up by three Jt.A.F. flying-boats was told by Captain I. Schofield, of South Shields, after their rescue. He was . master of the Kensington Court (4860 tons). "The first thing we knew of the attack was the screaming of shells over the ship," Captain Schofield said. "Tho look-out spotted the U-boat, about five miles away, coming toward us on the surfaceat full speed, spray flying from her bows. Immediately I gave the order to reverse at full speed. I brought the ship round bows »n in an attempt to defeat the attack of the submarine, but there came a loud explosion and the sfiip settled down by the head." The first lifeboat fell upside down and was lost. The second lifeboat was crowded and men sat on the gunwales with their legs dangling in the water. They had to bale to keep tho boat from sinking.' Submarine on Surface "We could see our ship sinking by the bows and the submarine had come to the surface and was standing by some way off. We rowed around the 6hip for Ford, a steward, who was missing. For an hour we searched and by that time the Kensington Court had settled right down. At last we found Ford and towed him behind the' lifeboat; he was in an exhausted condition. "Then someone cried, 'Listen!' We stopped rowing and looked up into the sky. Three small dots high up came nearer and nearer. We looked round for the Submarine and saw it submerging and making off at top speed. Then all eyes were turned again to the oncoming aeroplanes—were they British? The question was on everyone's lips. "In a flash it was answered. The seaplanes swooped down low over the lifeboat. Wo saw the red, white and blue rings jind every man in the boat cheered lustily. Just when wo were thinking that things were all up and that the S.O.S. we had flashed out had not been heard these seaplanes arrived. It was'like a miracle. "We waited breathlessly while one aeroplane circled and came to rest on the water some yards away. It taxied across the sea toward us. The pilot leaned out and shouted, 'Everyone safe?' We shouted that we were all safe and steered the lifeboat alongside. B&ck to England by Air "The 7 first man to be taken in was Ford, who was still suffering from immersion, Then one by one the crew entered ; the flying-boat. Twenty were fnken aboard the first craft, which then taxied away and took off heading back home. Tho second aeroplane landed and the 14 men left in the lifeboat were taken aboard. "It was a wonderful effort by the Royal Air Force men and nothing I could say could ever do justice to the way in' which they handled their machines as they took off with their heavy loads. All the time we were being picked up the third seaplane fiew overhead searching for any signs of the enemy. "InSide the seaplane as we flew home —it was the first flight for most of the crew, and my second—we were given hot tea from flasks, and sandwiches. ,It was a tremendous thrill. We have to thank the Royal Air Force for saving every man of us. I take off my hat/to those men." Built at Glasgow in 1927, the KenBington Court was owned by the Court Line, Limited, and registered in London.