Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-25
CAPT. FRIED TELLS THRILLING
STORY OF RESCUE IN STORM
Report Describes Dangers of
Taking 80 Off Sink
ing Zip.
FIorlda'S Rail, Under Water,
Swept by Mountainous
Waves.
BY CAPT. GEORGE FRIED.

0S Aepol'eo 10 the united states Lines.
ABOARD S. S. AMERICA, January
25.-On our AFOREMENTIONED voyage W,
experienced succession of westerly anc
northwesterly gales, with very high ant
rough seas, accompanied by snow anC
hail squalls. On January % we received
an S 0 from the American steamship
Dannedaike and the Italian steamship
Florida, both vessels giving their posi-
tlon in latitude 80 north and longitude
60 west.
We ascertained then that several ves-
sells were in their vicinity, but that only
one had radio compass. The distressed
vessels could not be located, so we de-
cided to proceed to their assistance
about noon on January %.
We were then $50 miles north of their
reported position. We were covered
with ice in freezing weather and were
having violent snow and hail squalls
with heavy gales. Chief Radio Operator
Nelson Smith was stationed at the radio
compass direction finder and took bear
ings continuously.
Florida Bearings Erratic.
We proceeded on these courses. The
bearings of the Florida were cratic
That is, they appeared so because they
were not checking with his reported po-
Sition. We kept searching and taking
bearings, but the bearings all placed
them north, which we believed to be in
error, due to his given position.
From 8 am. till noon of Wednesday the
weather cleared and moderated. OBJ
ServationS were taken and our position
found We asked the Florida to obtain
a position, but she informed us they had
no navigation books, as all equipment was
destroyed when their bridge was carried
away. However, the master had sex
tant and he took an observation and
gave us his observed attitudes.
We worked them out and plotted him
in latitude 40:30 north, longitude $3.50
west, which was $50 miles northeast of
his given position.
Searchlight Turned On.
We Immediately turned about and
proceeded to take radio bearings, which
we checked with our findings. We pro-
ceeded at full speed on our new course.
Her radio signals were getting stronger
all the time. AS darkness came on our
searchlight was lighted so she could see
us, and at $3.50 pm. we sighted the
Florida dead ahead.
This proved the accuracy and eff
cheney of the radio compass, without
which the Florida could not have been
located.
We took a position on the Florida's
weather beam a quarter mile distant,
with weather overcast, light snow squalls
and threatening.
Chief Officer Harry Manning, with
eight members of the crew, including
Junior Engineer w. j. Clark, Boat
SWANS Mate A. Wilson, Chief Store
keeper S. Bracco, Sailmaker j. Tales,
MaSter-at-Arms v. Waleck, Quarter
master w. Trettin, Ablebodied Seamen
P. Kellam and j. Harrebin were lowered
in No. lifeboat and proceeded to the
Florida.
Getting alongside the Florida was
very difficult, owing to her heavy list
and her lee rail being under water,
sending out tremendous surge. Get
ting nearer, Officer Manning found all
hands ready to abandon ship. He ma
neuyered his lifeboat as close as per-
to the Florida. He threw
lifeline on board, keeping about SO feet
distant, and instructed the Floridas
crew to come off one at time, pulling
themselves through the water by this
line to the boat, where they were
dragged on board by the boat crew.
Oarsman Is Translator.
The bow oarSman spoke Italian and
translated all instructions and orders.
Things went along in this fashion until
the line carried away, due to a heavy
surge. A man halfway over had to be
hauled back on board the Florida. The
lifeboat was again Unanswered success
fully and line placed aboard, and this
succeeded in getting the entire crew of
and into our boat.
The captain was the last to leave and
informed Officer Manning that there