MIGHTY CRASH IN FOG

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1946, Page 5

MIGHTY CRASH IN FOG

Press Assn.-

Story of Nigbi Collision TWO AMERICAN SHIPS

By Telegraph

-Copyright

Received Tuesday, 10.45 a.m. LONDON,, Aug.. 5. United States Navy Headquarters said it is understood that the food-carrying United States ship American Farmer, which- was involved in a collision with another American ship, the- Willi'anr' _ J. Riddle, 480 miles. from the' Irrsh coast on August 1, had water in , two holds, hut the bulkheads- were holding. Navy Headquarters added that the destroyer Perry was belfeved: to have left the scene. The command er-in.-chi ef at Plymouth had ordered the tug Samsonia to- return to Plymouth, as- it was assumed that her assistance was' no- longer required. Two- women and a baby were among the six passengers aboard the American Farmer when the collision with the William J . Riddle occurred. United' States Navy officia'ls had ordered a "security blaekout" on the crew of the William J. Riddle when she reached port. Nevertheless a member of the crew of the William J. Riddle told the Exchange Telegraph: "Thelights of the American Farmer loomed up out of the fog on our starboard bow, and before anything could be done there was one' mighty crash. It was impossible1 Dwing to fog to see the other vesrsel's name. Our radio man tried to contact her, but was unsuccessful. Then someone saw a light from a lifeboat coming through .he gloom. Six passengers'- were the first aboard the William J. Riddle. Other lifeboats brought the crew, including the master, Gaptain Cronin. : "The American Farmer by daybreak was settling down and it looked odds on her sinking."