SERIOUSLY ILL AT SEA

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 8

SERIOUSLY ILL AT SEA

WIRELESS CALL FOR ADVICE

SHIP RUSHED TO NEW PLYMOUTH

OFFICER ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL.

The part that radio comm unication and careful organisation can play in succouring people at sea when they are stricken by sickness was again demonstrated on Saturday, when the steamer Canopus raced into the port of New Plymouth with the chief officer seriously ill. The Canopus, a Westport Coal Company vessel, left Auckland last Tuesday for Westport. At three o’clock on Saturday morning, when the ship was steaming south some distance off the west coast of the North Island, the chief officer, Mr. Gerald Sharpe, of Auckland, became seriously ill. The symptoms pointed to something in the nature of acute appendicitis, but the ship communicated by wireless with Auckland, describing the patient’s condition and asking for medical advice, Details were sent back of the temporary treatment to be given, and the master of the vessel was advised to make with all possible haste to New Plymouth. Late on Saturday afternoon the ship ra>ced into port and after landing the patient put to sea again to continue its voyage. Meanwhile Messrs Bendalls, Ltd., New Plymouth agents for the Canopus, had been advised of the position, and everything possible was done to avoid loss of time on arrival of the ship. Preparations were made at the public hospital for receiving the patient, and an ambulance was despatched to the wharf. Mr. Sharpe was hurried to the hospital as soon as he was landed, and was admitted at 6.45 p.m. It was found that the source of his suffering was a severe internal ulcer. He was operated upon as soon as possible. His condition early this morning was still serious, but he was reported to be progressing satisfactorily.