DESPERATE PLIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 268, 14 November 1935, Page 7

DESPERATE PLIGHT

CASTAWAYS FROM LOST FREIGHTER RESCUE EFFORfs BY AMERICAN WARSHIP jßy Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright] Received Nov. 13, 9.56 p.m. MANILA, Nov. 12.

Working in the teeth of an advances typhoon, rescuers from the American destroyer Peary are making desperate efforts to remove 49 passengers and the crew of the British freighter Silver Hazel, which broke in two and foundered off the southern tip of the island of Luzon on Saturday, throwing the castaways on to a small barren rock near the San Bernardino Islands. At the risk of their lives three Hindu aupors reached the Peary on a raft. They said that five passengers, including four women, and the crew were suffering extreme hardships through lack of food and water, and were in constant danger of being swept to death by high seas. The Peary, and also several commercial craft standing by, attempted to reach the rock with lifeboats but the treacherous currents prevented them getting nearer than 1500 yards. The destroyer Bulmer is racing to the scene. The military command at Manila has despatched two large bombers with supplies. If the Bulmer arrives before the full force of the typhoon strikes the castaways she may be able to effect a rescue, as she is equipped with linethrowing apparatus. FOUR LIVES LOST REMAINDER BEING RESCUED. Received Nov. 13, 11.55 p.m. MANILA, Nov. 13. Radio reports to-day indicated that two of the castaways, including one j of the women, had lost their lives, and two are missing. The remainder apparently are being rescued by the Peary and the Bulmer. One message said that all but four were rescued. This is interpreted to mean that the four are those killed or missing.