New-York tribune., 1922-12-22
Helpless Craft
TOwed Grew
Facing Famine
Schooner Disabled in Gale
Reaches Haven, Pulled by
the President Garfield,
After 10 Days Waiting
Liner in Thrilling Rescue
Two Hawsers Part as Big
Waves Hamper Efforts
to Save, $50 Miles Out

with her forotopmast gone, rudder
swept away. decks awash and riEgins 3
tangled. tho schooner Rosa Ferlith'
with her crew Of nine, was towed 70
the New York coast last night by the
United States liner President Garfield.
At Fire Island a tug took over the
President Garfeld's responsibility AZ
ter the liner had towed the disabled
59O.ton sailing vessel 1888 miles.
To Captain II. L. Hook Of the Presi-
dent Garfield and his officers the res
cue OF the schooner was nothing more
than an event inscribed in the log, cas-
ually mentioning the vieissitudes Of a
crew on the point Of starvation, an In
eident that might befall any seafaring
man; but 10 the passengers on the
liner who witnessed the salvage and
heard the thrilling tale Of adventure
encountered By the unfortunate men it
was a story and a scene ne7er 70 be
forgotten.
Three Months at Sea
lust eiehty-seven days after the
Rosa Ferlita departed from AKIN. on
the African Gold Coast, pushed By a
brisk wind, she was sighted by tho
President Garfield in the west bound
transatlantic lane at o'clock on the
morning OF Wednesday. She was q
phantom Of the proud little schooner
then, her foretopmast torn away, the
rigging hanging over tho bow and her
rudder gone. Two jibs and jigger
we're tangled in the masts. her star
board deck was awash and the larder
was about empty.
Several hours before, her lookout,
strapped TO his post, had espied the
lights Of the President Garfield on the
horizon. Twice before the smoke and
lights Of a passing craft had been dis,
cerned, but each time the ships passe d
on. Slowly he saw the President Gar-
held's lights get brighter, and, with the
dawn Of dhy, discerned the Outlines Of
the liner coming directly for the dere-
lict. He gave the alarm, and the others
| Of the crew were on deck with white
rags that they waved as distress sig
mails. g,
Garfield kot within hailing distance be
stopped MS engines AuA lAaASl4NA " -.
appeal Of Captain r. l.. Sanchez Of the
Rosa Ferl.ta, who had almost despaired
OF being rescued.
Food Taken to Schooner
In a few moments a small boat, the
only one left abroad the schooner, was
launched and went to the side OF the
liner. The two hundred passengers
lined her rails, watching the progress
Of the little dory as it slowly traversed
the heavy swells. sometimes taking IA
water, sometimes being perilously close
to capsizing as II was swept down the
crest Of a high wave. In an hour the
three man in the little boat we're at the
side Of the larger vessel.
Captain Sanchez climbed the ladder
and explained % Captain Look that his
shin had run short Of provisions, that
he desired 20 replenish his supply ard
wanted q tow. In five minutes sugar,
coffee, canned meats, biscuits and vege-
tables were lowered over the side and
the skipper returned to his half-fam-
ished men.
Several versions were given by the
passengers Of the difficulties the crew
/ of the Rosa Ferlita had encountered -
parts OF statements they heard Captain
Sanchez make In his brief visit aboard
| the liner. The outstanding feature on
which they agreed was that the nine