New-York tribune., 1920-01-20
29O Still Held
On Sea-Lashed
U. S. Transport
Destroyers Expected to Take
Travellers From the Pow
llatan at Dawn To-day;
Ship Dark and Heatless

Heavy seas, which whipped over the
decks Of the disabled transport Pow
hatan, as she lay helpless about 800
miles east of Halifax. yesterday pre-
vented a tranfer of her passengers to
the waiting liner Cedric
Late dispatches told of the arrival
Of United States destroyers and it is
expected the transfer of the 29O per-
sons aboard the transport viii begin at
dawn to-day
NO wireless messages have been re-
ceived directly from the Powhatan
since early last night. All information
thus far received concerning plans fo1
the rescue have come from ships
standing by.
DeStrOyerS on Scene
At a late hour last night it was said
that the heavy gales which have pre-
vailed along the sea lanes of the Allan
tic had abated slightly Latest reports
are that the master OF the Cedric, which
IS bound for this port, has abandoned
the rescue, and that the destroyers will
take the Powhatan's passengers to Hall
fax The Cedric is reported to have
resumed her voyage to New York.
The Powhaton's passengers, con-
s'stlng Of eleven women, eight chill
dren and 271 military and civil travel
ers, are hudded together on the
leaking vessel in an effort to get
warm. When the food put out the
Powhatan's fires the steam heat van
ished and the vessel is without lights
Radio messages from the White
Star freighter Bardic gave assurance
that the transport is in no immedi-
ate danger and probably can keep
atioat for three days. Nevertheless it
was said that the passengers were cx-
ccedingly uncomfortable. through lack
OF heat and hot food.
Captain Randall Of the Powhatan
sent radio yesterday through the
Cedric, saying that the barometer
the weather and that all passengers
we're we'll, despite their discomfort
Many Boats to Rescue
Apart from illness, caused by the
lack of heat on board and the pos
sibility Of injury in transfer from
ship TO ship, there is little or no fear
passengers.
An abundance Of assistance was sent
to the Powhatan. The swift Northern
Pacific, bouad to this port from Brest;
the Martha Washington and the Ameri-
can steamship West comet we're in the
vicinity Of the disabled steamer, and
tugs were being held ready at Halifax
to 20 TO her assistance if necessary.
Moreover, two destroyers from Hall
fax and two Coast Guard cutters from
Norfolk were sent to give assistance.
Army officials here are unable to ac
count for the flooding Of the Powhatan's S
gone d complete overhauling before she
left port on Friday for Antwerp.
Among the Powhatan's passengers are {:
Colonel John NJ. Dunn, detailed to Italy
and accompanied by his wife; Captain
Oscar Rails jr., on his way to Madrid
to become assistant to the military at
tach6 to the American legation; Lieu
tenant Charles Mckinley, courier;
Lieutenant Commander Howard H..
Crosby, L. S. ~, on leave; Captain s.
ii. Weston, Quartcrmastcr Corps; Cap
tain G. A. Holiday, Medical Corps;
Lieutenant Edward Goldberg, Dental
y
chaplain.
Other Ships in Peril
The same high seas and northwest
crly gales that caused the Powhatan to
spring d leak have butTcted other YES
gels about and disabled them. The
American frcightcr Waukilla bound
from NcW York to IIavrc, was pounded
80 badly that her plates were sprung
some 400 miles east Of Sandy Hook.
She sent radio yesterday saying
that She ~as heading for Halifax with
her after hold full Of water. The
pumps, however, were holding the food
in check.
The American steamship Lake llar-
ncy var driven ashore mile and Il
half east of Blue Point, l.. J.. and lies
wcd2cd into the ahoal nbout 200 yards
Of shorc Other brief messages tell
ing Of being disabled we're received
from tho steamships Wilhelm Jcbson
and Independence.
The Holland America liner Moor
dam, bound to this port from Kottcr-
dam, reported that che had changed
her course to Halifax, az her fight
With the weather had almost exhausted
her coal supply.