LAST TO LEAVE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 7

LAST TO LEAVE

GALLANT OPERATOR RADIO MESSAGE SENT DIVE INTO THE SEA (United Pres* Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 15 The heroism of the wireless operator of the torpedoed freighter Sultan Star, Mr P. G. Winsor, was revealed by the crew when they reached an English port today. Mr Winsor, whose age Is 50, was the last man to leave the ship. He refused to abandon his post until his distress signals had been acknowledged. Not until* heavy seas were welling around the foot of the bridge, and the bows were beginning to rise before the final plunge, did he jump into the sea. As a result, Mr Winsor was in the water a quarter of an hour before being picked up. The signals sent out by him were received by a British warship, which raced to the scene in time to rescue the crew and destroy the U-boat responsible for the sinking of the ship. Captain’s Tribute to Bravery The captain of the ship described the wireless operator as the bravest man he had ever seen. “ The ship went down by the stern after it had been torpedoed,” the captain said. “ I ordered 4 Sparks ’ to send out an S.O.S. When the bow rose into

The picture shows the crew on an Atlantic liner practising in putting on life-belts. the air and the stern began to sink, I gave the order to abandon ship. 4 Sparks ’ was still at his instruments. 44 1 said to him: ‘ Come on; you must. You need not wait until you get the all clear.’ He replied: 4 1 must stand by for the all clear.’ 44 The ship made an impressive sight standing in the air with the funnel lying along the sea and the water pouring in. 1 Sparks ’ was still up there. “ When it seemed that he did" not have a possible chance of getting away, he appeared on the port side and slid down a rope. A minute or two later the ship disappeared.”