Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-06-01
Nazi Sub Threatens
To Sink Refugee Ship;
.Seizes 7 Americans
BY the Associated Press,

l =
PHILADELPHIA, June IA Ger
man submarine stopped the neutral
Portuguese refugee ship Serpa Pinto
off Bermuda on clear dark night
and a calm sea last Friday, took
two prisoners and warned the 1886
crew members and passengers that
the ship would be sunk
Three lives, including that of a
l6-month-old baby, Beatrice Ira
punski, were lost in the rush to
launch lifeboats.
One of those who fed the ship,
Tony Ribeiro, who came to the
United States to go into business
with his brother David of Glouces-
ter, Mass, said yesterday:
Il was asleep in my cabin when
the NaZis came aboard. The life
boat we were in drifted around from
8 am. to noon. 1t was about noon
when the submarine-only its peri
scope showing-moved away"
Berlin Saved Ship.
The U-boat abandoned prepara-
tions to torpedo the ship after wire
less orders from Berlin.
Passengers and crew reboarded
the ship while the submarine how
cred close at hand. 1t docked here
secretly late Tuesday and the Navy
disclosed the story yesterday.
The dead baby was the child of
Abraham and Eva Trapunski, Polish
refugees bound for Canada. Other
victims were Antonio Ferreira Ma
chado, ships doctor, who feel into
the sea from a jacobs ladder, and
Hermano Antonio, ships cook, killed
by a blow from block on lifeboat
tackle.
Two Who Were Captured.
The captured Americans were
Manuel Pinto, %, of Waterbury
Conn, and virgilio Magma. %, OF
New Bedford, Mass. The Germans
also took Canadian native and
British subject. Camille Grande Pc
rez, "a, aboard the submarine but
later released him.
Mr.. Pinto, farmer who had been
in Portugal for a number of years,
was the ships chief officer.
Mr.. Magma was en- route to Join
his godfather, Manuel j. Camara of
New Bedford, and planned to become
barber there. With his parents.
Mr.. and Mrs. Antonio Magma; two
brothers and a sister, he left New
Bedford, his native city, IL years ago
for Portugal.
Mr.. Camara said that, so far as he
knew, the youth was coming to this
country alone.
Woman Almost browns.
Mrs. Maria A. Chaves, IS, Fail
River, Mass, coming to join her
husband, said she almost drowned
when the liner was ordered aban-
doned.
When the lifeboat came along
SIDE the ship, passed my three sons
down the jacobs ladder to men in
the llfeboat, then I took couple
of steps myself.
The lfeboat lurched and fell
into the sea between the boat and
the side of the ship. MY arm was
bruised and struck my head on
something.
Saved by Sons.
L swan around. for several
minutes until could grasp the side
OF the boat. But I was too weak
to'cllmb in. Some men and my sons
helped pull me aboard. After that.
! was SO dazed don't know what
happened" she said.
The Navy said the Serpa Pinto
was stopped by gunfire and signals
at 1905 am. last Friday and that
her captain, America Dos Sontos.
was summoned to the bridge when
blinker signals were sighted. Engines
stopped at 1890.
Some passengers were allowed to
go to their homes yesterday after
questioning by immigration officials
The rest were kept aboard, but it is
expected that all will pass through
immigration routine TODAY.