ORDEAL OF CREW

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21043, 20 February 1940, Page 5

ORDEAL OF CREW

STATE OF EXHAUSTION DEATH FROM EXPOSURE (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 18 In a terrible state of exhaustion and most of them semi-conscious, the captain and 13 members of the crew of the British steamer Langleeford (4622 tons), which was sunk by enemy action on February 14, reached the shore after 78 hours in an open boat. Two members of the crew died from exposure and were buried at sea. The British steamer Baron Ailsa, of 3656 tons, struck a mine in the North Sea and sank in three minutes. A naval vessel picked up 32 survivors. U-Boats Defied Captain Christian Holm, master of the Danish steamer Inga, of 1494 tons, has been waging a private war against the German Navy. Early in January, when on a voyage to England, a German patrol ship in the North Sea ordered the Inga to stop. Captain Holm ordered all lights out and headed the Inga to ram the German ship, but missed and sailed on. The German radioed “Don’t worry, we’ll get you next time “ Friends warned Captain Holm that a special German ship had been detailed to “get him." But. undeterred, he returned to Denmark from England and again was heading for England early this month when a U-boat signalled to him to halt. “You are the famouf runaway: you will not get away this time,” the U-boat signalled. Radio Message Ignored Captain Holm pretended to obey the orders, but suddenly ordered full speed ahead, and the Inga outdistanced the U-boat. Captain Holm ignored a radio which said “The water is cold. You had better stop. We shall wait for you.” When returning to Denmark a Danish ship radioed that a U-boat had stopped her. believing her to be the Inga. It released her with the parting message “We are waiting for the Inga.” Captain Holm changed course and reached his Danish port safely. He signed off a few days ago, remarking. “I’ve had enough for a time. I’ll take up the battle later.” Claim Cancelled The German news agency has cancelled its claims to the sinking of the Emile Miguet. Holland Demands Compensation lie Hand has protested to Berlin at the sinking of the Arendkerk cm January 15 and has demanded compensation. Pursuant to large War Department orders in America the automotive companies are f£l alien w or ken.