HEROISM OF SEAMEN

Southland Times, Issue 25342, 22 July 1935, Page 11

HEROISM OF SEAMEN

ATLANTIC GALE DRAMA. FIFTEEN SWEPT TO DEATH. In thrilled silence an epic story of heroism on the part of British seamen was listened to at a British Board of Trade inquiry presided over by Lord Merrivale, the Wrecks Commissioner, in London recently. The Court’s task was to investigate the loss of four vessels—the Newcastle steamer Usworth, the Millpool, La Crescents and the Blairgowrie. The Usworth foundered in the North Atlantic last December after her crew fought hopelessly to save her in a raging gale. Fifteen of them were drowned, together with two men of the Belgian ship Jean Jadot, which was engaged in rescue work. The three other ships foundered with all hands. At the outset of the Usworth investigation Sir Donald Somervell, the Solicitor-General, representing the Board of Trade, said, “I think it should be stated that on the information at present at our disposal, we make no charge against the owners or the master, officers and crew. Indeed, so far as the crew are concerned, they deserve to be credited for the endurance and gallantly they displayed.” Tribute to Rescuers. Sir Donald remarked that the Usworth was subject to very heavy weather from December 11 to December 14, and she had a series of mishaps, but the Court might come to the conclusion that the immediate cause of the disaster was the breakdown of the steering gear. The evidence he had went to show that the Usworth was well maintained. She was classed 100 Al at Lloyd’s. There was no foundation for any suggestion that the ship was overloaded. The chief engineer had his ribs broken on December 11, but remained at his work to the end. He was one of the men saved. Referring to the rescue efforts of the crew of the Jean Jadot, the Solicitor-General stated, "They behaved with that gallantry which idocs not cease to amaze one, and excite one’s admiration, because one knows the traditions of the service that makes it not infrequent.” Captain J. J. Reid, of North Shields, master of the Usworth, told the Court he could not speak too highly of the way the crew conducted themselves. The captain described how the steering gear broke down and how the whole crew worked throughout the night to get the ship under control, but they failed. Then a great sea broke in the hatch. He aded, “'Hie crest seemed to tower 15ft. above the truck of the foremast. It crashed down on us. Immediately the vessel came to —I can’t tell you how long it was. It seemed years to me—l rushed down from the bridge to get my men together. They tried to trim the cargo, which had shifted. An order to send out an S.O.S. was given, and the Jean Jadot came to the rescue, followed by the Ascania. “Never Expected to Get Off.” “After the Jean Jadot had launched a boat,” continued Captain Reid, “our vessel was giving some fierce jerks and I anticipated her going over at any time. I gave the ship’s papers in an attache case to the steward and told him to put them in the Jean Jadot’s boat, because candidly, I never expected to get off that ship.” Captain Reid related that when the boat was 600 ft. from the Usworth it capsized. It was suggested that the men should jump into the sea one at a time, and a lifeboat from the Ascania would pick them up. Hie steward volunteered to go first. Two others jumped with him. The ship gave a lurch and they were washed under. Nothing could be done for them. The cook, who was a strong' swimmer, would unquestionably have reached the lifeboat, but the messroom boy let out a cry for help. The cook turned round to go to his assistance, and in doing so lost his life. Captain Deals with Afghans. Questioned by Mr H. J. Willmen, for the owners of the Usworth, Captain Reid stated there were eight Afghan firemen on board. “I ordered as many hands as possible to trim the cargo,” he added. "Six of the Afghans obeyed, but two insisted on reading the Koran. I put them into the coal bunkers and told them to get on with it.” Mr E. Aylmer Digby, K.C., for the Transport and General Workers’ Union and the National Union of Seamen: Do you think a ship officered by yourself and two mates is sufficient? —Not for that class of ship. Dealing with the number of deck hands, Mr Digby asked: “Do you think allowing for emergencies that may happen in the winter, that that is sufficient complement for a ship like the Usworth?”

Captain Reid: “Not in the case of emergency. Providing things are going all right, it is all right.”