DROWNED IN SIGHT OF HELP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17567, 18 June 1925, Page 6

DROWNED IN SIGHT OF HELP.

HOMERIC’S CAPTAIN TELLS SAD STORY. (Special to the “Star.") LONDON, May 5. Captain G. Roberts, of tho Whits Stir liner Homeric, made a full statement concerning the unavailing effort* to save the crew ■of the Japanese freighter, Raifuku Mara, on his arrival at Southampton on Saturday evening. The cargo vessel foundered on April 21 off Nova Scotia, the whole of her crew of 48 souls being lost-. Captain Roberts explained that wue-) t’n+> message for help was received at. 5.47 a.m., he immediately altered his course, and the Homeric’s speed was the highest it was possible- to obtain in vctv bad weather. “Wo sighted the sinking ship at 10.55 a.in..” he said. “She was then about- two miles off. Visibility was very low. and sleet- and driving spray made things difficult. We poured oil overboard as we drew nearer to the ill- j fated ship, which had a list to starboard of about sixty degrees. “NO SIGNS OF LIFE.” “ As wo approached wo saw what wo thought were men clinging to the rails of the ship. Uo tried to approach on tho lee side, but the effort tailed. "When wo got cioso to the windward we could see tho keel ct the vessel, which had a very bad list. The weather was very bad. We saw her give a lurch, but although there was much small wreckage flouting about wo saw no signs of lire, and no boat, was to The vessel capsized at 11.19 a.in. The eea entered by way of her funnels. Great seas broke over her, and all the while the Homeric had jumped oil on tlio troubled waters. “We had everything ready for saving life,” said Captain Roberts. “ Our lifeboats were ready for lowering, and wo stood by without seeing man or boat. When the steamer sank wo cruised about among the floating wreckage, hoping to be able to save anyone who was clinging to it, but vo realised that no life, or anything to support life, could live in that terrific sea. Tho gale was increasing in force, and eventually wo secured our own lifeboats and proceeded on our voyage.” “SHEER MURDER.” Asked what were the views of his officers, he said they were ali anxious to do what they could to save life, but when they were discussing the matter the chicl officer said to him that it would havo been sheer murder to lower the Homeric’s boats in such weather. They saw whatr appeared to t.o men clinging to the rails when they were two miles off, but when they got within easy reach of tho ship—a reasonable distance at which to lower lifeboats —none of the- ship’s officers could discern a sign of life either cu the boat or in the water. “ My own view is that- it- was impossible* for the crew to get away from the sinking ship. Her boats were smashed —in fact, everything that could be smashed was smashed. “ Tho last person we saw on the ship was apparently walking along on tho hull oi the vessel as she lay over on the water. We wore then trying to get near the ship, but were still some distance off. That man disappeared— either jumped into the water or was washed overboard.”