Evening star., 1954-11-27

by an American helicopter.
| Storm
| tcontinued From First Pageo
scientist who was aboard to OBJ
serve bird migration.
"For eight hours I clung to a
rail, waves smashing over me-"
he said later as he lay exhausted
m a hospital bed. "Then in half
light and mist the helicopter
settled down over the ship. I
grabbed a moose of rope which
was dangled down, and was
hauled up into the machine"
The helicopter went into ac-
ton as part of British-American
air-Sea rescue arrangements,
often called into operation in
MARTINEZ disasters off the Brit
iSh coast.
Worst Flood in 30 Years.
There also was plenty of
trouble ashore where England
was threatened by its worst
food in 80 years. Thousands Of
acres were under water in the
Midlands as wind and rain
whipped the countryside.
Meantime hundreds of ships
scurried toward port for shelter.
One unidentified ship of
around 1000 tons was feared
lost without a trace off the
southeast England coast. The
Liberian tanker Casino reported
seeing it do down.
On the continental side of the
North Sea the 568-ton German
trawler Wellingdorf flashed an
SOS 10 miles off the Dutch is
land of Terschelling. Dirkzwagers
Shipping Agency in Amsterdam
said the trawler struck a mine
and a tug and lifeboat were
speeding to it's aid. No further
details were Immediately avail
able.
!. Ship Smashes on Rocks.
Crewmen Of the new 498-ton
Dutch coaster Gramsbergen ra-
diced they wre abandoning ship
after the vessel smashed against
a rock in Fishguard Harbor.
Wales. The message said: "Tak-
ing water in engine room and
hold the drifting away. We go
in lifeboat."
Rescue vessels later got all
II crewmen ashore.
The Polish trawler Penguin
ran aground on Shipwash Sands,
Is miles from Harwich, but was
refloated without damage.
The Norwegian steamer Gram
foss radioed she was sinking
fast" off the northern tip of
Britain. A salvage tug put out
to take her in tow to Lerwick,
Scotland.
A Dutch destroyer, the Evert-
seen, escorted the Danish
schooner Svaerdfisken toward
Norway from Scotland after the
schooner suffered storm dam
ages.
Another Vessel Afire.
An urgent call for help was
sent by the 6.908-ton Swedish
freighter Los Angeles. The
message said she was handi-
capped in her battle against the
heavy seas by a fire in her hold.
The crew of the 193-ton Dam
ish coaster Vega abandoned ship
in the English Channel near
Dieppe. While the British de-
stroyer vigo stood by, the crew
went aboard a lifeboat from
Newhaven, on the English Chan
mel coast, and made for the
port. A Dutch tug stood by the
Vega after the rescue.
While ships tossed like corks
in mountainous seas surround
ing Britain. the 81,000-ton liner
Queen Mary left Southampton
for Cherbourg. France, and New
York early today after a "a
hour delay caused by the
weather.
The wind was still gusting
strongly but tugs maneuvered
the liner safely out Of the ocean
dock.
Floods Stall Traffic.
A heavy damage toll was re-
ported from West England
where small boats and pleasure
craft were smashed and cast
adrift in harbors and swollen
rivers.
High water stalled road ana
rail traffic in many parts Of
/ Britain.
The heavy seas hammered at
coastal walls rebuilt and forti-
fled after Britain's disastrous
floods and storms Of 1853. Churn-
ing water tore a 2O-yard gap
in the sea wall at Seaford, on
the Channel.
The main street Of Christ
church, a Hampshire seaport
town. was under four feet Of
water. the worst flood there since
! 1917.
Firemen sang nursery songs
to calm children they rescued
from sea front homes In Corn
wall. Hundreds Of hpuseholders
there moved their belongings
to the top floors.