CREW BELIEVED DROWNED

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1933, Page 7

CREW BELIEVED DROWNED

27. MEN ABOARD SAXILBY VESSEL CAUGHT IN STORM FRUITLESS SEARCH MADE HUGE SEAS IN ATLANTIC British Wireless. Rugby, Nov. 16. Much anxiety is felt regarding the fate of the 27 members of the crew of the British steamer Saxilby, who are believed to have abandoned ship and taken to the boats in a great Atlantic storm about 400 miles off Valentia, Ireland. The last message Received from the Saxilby stated that she was trying to get the boats away. Communication with the vessel has not since been re-estab-lished. Captain Mitchell, of the freighter Manchester Regiment, in a message yesterday afternoon when 92 miles east of the Saxilby said that he had no answer to repeated calls. He reported that his vessel was making very little headway owing to a whole gale, mountainous seas and frequent heavy squalls, but there were indications that the weather was improving. Several other vessels proceeding to help the Saxilby’s crew included the Berengaria, which was expected to reach the scene about midnight, but owing to heavy weather she had to reduce speed. ' ' " According to a later message from; the Berengaria, whose searchlights Were sweeping the mountainous seas, fear was entertained by its officers that small boats could not live long in such conditions. Lloyd’s telegram from the Valentia wireless station states: “Timed 9 a.m. Received from Dutch steamer Boschdijk: Searching spot. Nothing seen so far. Visibility good since dawn.” The following message was received from the Manchester Regiment: “9 ami.: At present searching the vicinity of the last known position of the Saxilby. Visibility good.” The Cunard Company received the following from the Berengaria: “9.45 a.m.: Search for Saxilby 'unsuccessful. Proceeding.” Little hope remains for any of the crew of the Saxilby. Another British steamer, the St. Quentin, was in distress in the North Atlantic, but her owners state that she is in no danger. The steering gear ■ is reported to have gone. She hove-to awaiting a tug to tow her back to Queenstown. The British cruiser Exeter is proceeding to the assistance of the St. Quentin.