Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-25
BY CAPT. GIUSEPPE FAvALARO.

BY CAPT. GIUSEPPE FAVALARO.
BY Wireless TO the Associated Press
ABOARD S. S. AMERICA, January
25.-We left Pensacola, Fla, January
10, for Naples with general cargo and
deck lumber. On January IL. while Sc
| curing lumber lost man overheard in
the Gulf of Mexico. From January IL
to January 10, had boisterous weather.
On January 30 at noon, the wind
changed to northwest with force fresh
with heavy waves and heavy rainfall
Proceeding in an easterly direction on
my course at 6 pm. it seemed the wind
ana sea were increasing in force and
green water was breaking tore and aft
over all. In order not to lose my deck
load I decided to head into the sea,
which was coming from the southeast.
AT n.m. a whole gale set in from
the northwest. 1 decided to turn south
to avoid the heavy sea and storm. At
II 80 pm. noticed that had lost
control of my ship, which did not
answer the wheel, and at the same
time the chief engineer advised me that
the chain of the rudder was broken.
Steered by Hand.
The chain broke near the steering
engine OF the ship. ordered to steer
by hand by the emergency steering gear
aft. Steered this way all night, at the
same time with the chief engineer try
ing to repair the steering chain with
an extra link
On January 81, at am, we steered
again with our steering engine until
$3.50 am. the chain of our rudder broke
again I ordered again to steer with
the emergency steering gear aft on the
poop deck
One green sea boarded us aft and
washed me and Is men violently off
the poop deck, with danger of going
overheard. We found ourselves cling
ing to stanchions, railings and what
ever could be found. Many injuries
were suffered by this boarding sea
With the chief engineer and all hands
available We started again to repair
the steering chain.
All hands turned to aft to put the
chain back in place. It was impossible
TO replace the chain of the rudder be-
cause the rudder was swinging free.
The emergency steering wheel was to-
tally lost overheard by the boarding
sea. The ship lay in the trough of
the sea.
This happened in latitude 37.38 north
longitude 59.10 west, on January %,
I saw everything was in vain what !
was doing and heard what all nv off,
GERS were saying, so I sent an o s
Tor help and 1t was answered by the
American steamer Dannedaike, who
stated he was coming to assist me.
Rescue Ship in Danger.
During the night the Dannedaike sent
out an S 0 that he was in peril
and advised me that he could not come
TO my help. sent another S O s
which was responded to by the steamer
AmeYca. In the meantime violent seas
swept away my bridge chart room. life
boat and part of the deckload breaking
my bunker hatch
The ship listed more to starboard
right down to the gunwaIe. advised
the steamship America of my danger
and the peril of my crew. He answered
that he would be at the side of us on
the morning of the twenty-third.
We were working our pumps regularly.
as we shipped plenty of water through
the bunker hatch. I tried my best to
repair this bunker hatch with danger
OF losing life. My crew, willing and
courageous as they were, did not care
to take this risk
On January % we were in con-
tlnuous communication with the S. S.
America, but I was unable to give them
my exact position as all my instruments
were lost overheard
Wireless Room Saved.
At noon, with our spare instrument,
I observed the meridian and communi-
Gated with the America to calculate my
last latitude. not having on board any
navigation books.
All my crews quarters were logged
with water. The only section of my
ship in working order was the wireless
room.
Going with the engines slowly to keep
my bow to the sea. the commander of
the America determined by latitude and
informed me that he would be at my
side to help at o'clock In the mean
time / attempted once more to replace
| the chain of the rudder. but all through
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