SIX MORE SHIPS SAFE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 44, 15 November 1940, Page 7

SIX MORE SHIPS SAFE

Jervis Bay’s Convoy

CAPTAIN’S HEROISM PRAISED (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, November 13. Six more ships of the British convoy which was attacked in the North Atlantic by a German surface raider have reached port safely. This is in addition to the 24 the Admiraltv stated last night, wcic safe. There were 38 ships in the convoy and only eight are still missing. The Admiralty lias issued a communique announcing that G 5 survivors of the Jervis Bay have been landed in Canada. None was seriously injured, but it is regretted that, because of the rapid deterioration of the weather it must be considered unlikely that there are other survivors. it. is also reported that t)0 survivors of four other ships which were sunk arrived today at St. John’s, Newfoundland. They were rescued after drifting in lifeboats for some 36 hours. Captain a Real Hero. A Montreal message says that Captain Olander, master of the Swedish steamer which landed 65 of the crew of the Jervis Bay, and which returned to the site of the battle to pick tip survivors, explained: "The Jervis Bay was so gallant and did so well that I didn't like to leave them, so I turned back after five hours.”

A member of the crew of the Jervis Bay who remains anonymous, because of regulations, said: “I think we were all proud when we turned toward the enemy. Our captain knew what was coming, but he did not care. The captain was a real hero. With one arm blown away, he went down with the burning ship issuing orders. We saw the raider on a sunny evening. The raider was the first to open lire, whereupon we closed in between the raider and the convoy, dropped smoke floats to ■screen the convoy, and then opened fire. The enemy, who replied with a salvo, put our steering gear out of action. We were holed below the waterline and listed in a sinking condition, but the gun crews did not cease lire.”

Captain Olander said: "It was glorious; I’ll never forget it.” At least two-thirds of the crew which fought this battle —a battle which ranks with anything in naval history —wore men of the merchant service who had never been iu action before. Even after their ship was completely helpless and sinking by the stern, their trials were not over. Survivors were raked with shrapnel as they took to the one remaining lifeboat and the rail they had thrown overboard.

The great light put up by tlic Jervis Bay, though she knew from the start she was doomed, saved about 150.000 tons of shipping for certain.

Captain Fegen of lite Jervis Bay had one arm badly shattered, and later part of the bridge was shot away. In spite of his injury, he went to the after bridge and tried to control his ship from there till it too was destroyed. Undaunted, bo went back to the main bridge, but according to an officer among Hie men saved, lie was not seen after that. Flag Nailed to Mast. During the battle the White Ensign was shot away, but a. seaman ran up the rigging and nailed fresh colours to the mast, where they flew for over two hours after the light began and till ,an explosion shattered the Jervis Bay and she sank rapidly. I Received November 14, 9.20 p.m. ) OTTAWA, November 13. Ji is announced in Ottawa that 13 Canadian Naval ratings are missing witli (lie toss of tlie Jervis Bay.