FORCED DESCENT BY SEAPLANE

Southland Times, Issue 23438, 19 February 1938, Page 2

FORCED DESCENT BY SEAPLANE

WOMAN INSTRUMENTAL IN EFFECTING RESCUE

SYDNEY, February 17. After making a forced descent on the ocean 33 miles east of Gabo during naval exercises last night, an amphibian aeroplane from H.M.A.S. Sydney was tossed for two hours by the waves before the crew was picked up by H.M.S. Achilles, of the New Zealand Squadron. A message giving news of the mishap which was dropped by the aeroplane at Eden was picked up by Miss Margaret Logan. Rowing in a leaking dinghy, she took the message to a seaplane which was moored in the harbour. The pilot immediately left to make a search. The naval exercises were suspended and 10 warships, together with several aeroplanes joined in the search. With searchlights playing across the water the Achilles found the seaplane at 8 p.m. with the crew unharmed. The men and the seaplane rejoined the Sydney. On the return journey from the seaplane Miss Logan’s dinghy filled with water and Miss Logan, bailing and rowing alternately, reached the shore just before the boat was swamped.