LONE SAILOR'S ESCAPADE

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1947, Page 5

LONE SAILOR'S ESCAPADE

Received Mornlav, 7 p.m. NEW YORK, Oet. 5. An Admiral 's barge and eaptainV gig from I1..M.S. Shetlield anchored in Annapolis Roads, pursued up the Severn River this ovening, a lone Hri tish sailor who apparently had eommandeered a bydroplane from the Hri 1 ish eruiser. The exeitement began wlien a small higli-powered boat was seen to shove away frojn the Shetiield. The hydroplaner made a few enthusiastic turns in the ehoppy water and then pullmi alongside one of the many pleasun yaehts dotting the. Severn and ealled "Hello, how's everything". Ile pulled away and hailed other vaehts alwav.s with the same qucstion. Considerable activity was then notieed aboard the Shetiield. The eap tain's gig went over the side and gavt chasp but it was soon apparent that i' was too slow. The gig was then re inforced by the resplendent hlack and chrome barge but it was too slow also. yl'he Ajjdlor eontinued to circle witli lijrfcheery "IIow's everything", draw ing cheers from. the hundreds watehing the pursuit. Tlie gig and Admiral \ harge attempted to corner the hydroplane and force it asliore but the sailor eseaped and went speeding up river. As darkness fell the people along the riverfront could hear the putt-putt of the bydroplane alwavs well ahead of the pursuing gig and barge. An oeeasional "how's everything" could also be heard on the Severn.