SUNK IN PACIFIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 96, 24 April 1944, Page 5

SUNK IN PACIFIC

AMERICAN MERCHANTMAN RESCUE OF 1359 MEN LAST YEAR ' Recd. 8 p.m. Rugby, April 22. i When an American merchant ship was sunk by enemy action in the Pacific last year, 1359 men were saved out of 1429 on board. The story of this sinking and the rescue has now been told. The ship was the San Juan. She was carrying soldiers, merchant seamen and navy gunners. The survivors were landed at Suva, Fiji, and Noumea. When it became evident that the San Juan could,not remain afloat, the captain gave orders to abandon ship. Many of the soldiers donned lifebelts and jumped overboard. Ail lifeboats and rafls were lowered, and many of those in the water scrambled aboard. Sharks increased the peril, but, with complete disregard of their own safety, the crow of the San Juan repeatedly went overboard and rescued exhausted soldiers. The vessel sank after 40 hours. A number of members of the crew and soldiers were killed by explosions. Two hundred remained aboard, keeping the vessel afloat. A total of 868 army officers, soldiers and the crew in lifeboats that had remained near the scene were picked up by a destroyer and landed at Suva. A plane picked up 48 men from the waler and left floats to aid the others. Then a Liberty ship came on the scene and rescued 443 men and landed them at Noumea. - 8.0.W.