New-York tribune., 1920-01-22
Shipping Circles Worried
Over Reports of Wealth
er Conditions Menac-
ing Leaky Transport
Tow Craft Stands
By for Rescues
Endangered Ship is 200
Miles OF Halifax as
a Sudden Halt Occurs

A brief radio flashed into Halifax
last night from the Canadian govern
ment steamship Lady Laurier spread
anxiety up and down the-Atlantc coast
for the safety of the leaking United
States army transport Powhatan and
her 271 passengers. The message said
weather conditions were bad and that
the Lady Laurier was alongside the
Earlier the Laurier had re-
ported that she was towing the Grip
pied transport.
The ships at the time the radio was
received were about 200 miles off Hall
fax, the Powhatan leaking near the en-
gineroom because Of plate sprung in
heavy seas. Other wireless messages
received earlier in the day had created
4 feeling that the transport was in no
danger. A donkey engine was sup
plying the heat and light that had been
absent during several Of the days the
vessel has been disabled ard storm
tossed.
The Lady Laurier, in charge OF Cap
tain C. A. Travis, one OF the most ex-
perienced mariners in rescue work on
the Canadian coast, reached the
Powhatan at 2 o'clock Yesterday after
noon and Immediately prepared IN spite
Of the rough seas to take the latter in
tow. Yesterday afternoon the destroyer
Sharkey, which, with the destroyer
Leary and the transport Northern Pa
citic, is standing by the Powhatan, re-
ported that the weather was growing
worse Early yesterday morning the
steamer Western Comet took the
Powhatan in tow for forty-eight miles
toward Halifax, but lost her tow when
the line parted, leaving the Powhatan
again at the mercy Of the heavy seas
\ similar attempt on the preceding
day by the White Star freightcr Bardic
cost the latter the use Of one propeller
when the towing line became fouled
"Gctting Along Nicely"
The latest word received at the Army
Transport Information Office in Ho-
bokcn last night was that the Pow
hatan was "getting along nicely"
The transport Northern Pacific,
which has been standing By the Pow
hatan, may by this time be assisting
the army transport Martha Washing
ton. The latter reported yesterday to
the naval communication Offices. "a
Whitehall Street, that shn was short
Of engine oil and had asked the North
ern Pacific to wait and supply her with
enough to reach port The Martha
Washington left Southampton on Jan
uary 8, four days before the Northern
Pacific left Antwerp with the last
troops Of the American Expeditonary
Forces.
The White Star liner Cedric, which
stood by the Powhatun for twcnty-six
hours while heavy seas were running,
arrived here yesterday with 500 pas
sengcrs. The story Of her dash through
ical!y told by Frank w. Rostock, editor
Of "The Cincinnati Post" who was
aboard the Cedric.
Following the receipt Of the "S 81
early Sunday afternoon, said Mr.. kos-
tock, the Cedric crowded on every
pound Of steam, made up six hundred
extra beds for the powhatan's pas
songers, and marshalcd bakers. cooks,
hospital facilities and saving ap-
paratus to meet any emergency
Driving through snowstorm gale,
ton of the Powhatan late Sunday
afternoon, but did not find her until
II: 80 O'Clock that night, with the aid
Of a rocket.
Stork Rides Out Storm
While the ship was dashing on its
way the ships physician announced
the arrival of new passenger, baby
girl born to Mrs. Flora Brvdson. Lit
tie Cedrica Joan Brydson will reside
in Vancouver, b. c.
The Cedric stood by until Wedncs-
day morning. After being assured by
the Powhatan that there was no dan
ger. the Cedric, unable to launch life
boats. proceeded TO this city.