The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-23
Rescue Ship Docks Late This Afternoon
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aboard the Esso Baytown Saturday night, they were assured that three Coast Guard boats would continue the search for them. The boats searched all day yesterday and last night, returned to land, officially abandoning any hope that Miller, Noakes, and Robert Spence, the Cavaliers steward, were alive. Awaiting four of the men were the searching questions of officials of the Imperial Airways, which, in conjunction with Pan-American Airways, operates the air line to Bermuda, and of American aviation authorities. These men were Cap tain M. R, Alderson, the Cavaliers master, Neil Richardson, her first officer, Patrick Chapman, her radio officer, and David Williams, her other steward. The officials wanted to know what happened aboard the huge four-motored flying boat that caused her to plunge into the sea, split open, and sink so quickly her passengers and crew barely man. aged to get out of the hulk into the sea.
 This much was known. All the ships motors failed at the same time and ice was the cause. At l2:50 p. m. Saturday, her radio flashed: "All engines failing-ice. Altitude 1,500 feet. Forced landing in few minutes" Thirteen min- utes later she said: Landing okay, switch off-stand by" One minute later the radio flashed one word and went dead. The word was Sinking" Aviation experts ashore believed that ice had formed on the wing and around the motors and had choked the carburetors of all four motors. The Cavalier was not equipped with devices to prevent such an occurrence, which are stand- ard equipment on most American commercial planes.
 Bewshea's Probe
 The questions will be asked by Paul E. Bewshea. representing 1m- perial Airways, and, unofhcially, by experts of the civic aeronautics au- thority. The authority has juris- diction under the act which created 1t, over all airllnes operating from American ports. but the Bermuda line was established before 1t was, and 1mperials application for a cer- tification of public necessity and convenience is pending. The fact that this application must be passed upon by the authority eventually, permitted it's unofficial participa- ton in the investigation.
 The Cavalier was 50 constructed, that theoretically, she should have ridden the heaviest seas for days. Built in 1885, she cost $200,00o. She was the fifth of her type, empire boats," involved in a fatal accident since they were put into regular op- eration in 1887 on various lines throughout the world.
 Relatives Await
 Also awaiting the messengers and crew were eager relatives, rejoicing that they had come through seem- ingly impossible hardships alive. They were gathered on the Hudson river pier early this morning where the Baytown will dock to transfer the passengers and crew to ambu- lances. First messages had indi- cated that some of them-particu- larly Captain Alderson--we in @ serious condition, but Mrs. Edna Watson, of Bermuda, one of the passengers. radioed the United Press that no one had been hurt. though all were exhausted from the ordeal.
 Captain Prank Spur. master of the Baytown. radioed that the res- ued ones would need overcoats. trousers. and shoes, and these and other articles of clothing were as- sembled on the dock by Imperial Airways. True to the traditions of tight-lippcd seamen--te is the fifth generation of his family to coni- nand ships--his messages ashore