CALL FOR HELP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 2 November 1939, Page 5

CALL FOR HELP

BRITISH STEAMER "SIGHTED SUBMARINE" RUSH TO RESCUE NO SIGN OF CRAFT NEUTRAL SEA ZONE (Reed. Nov. 2, noon.) NEW YORK, Nov. 1. The British freighter Coulmore wirelessed for help, stating that she had sighted a submarine. The ship was then silent. The United States coasteguard ship Campbell hurried to the scene, approximately 450 miles east of Massachusetts. Following the receipt of the distress signal: "Help, sighted submarine," from the Coulmore the coastguard announced that the cutter Bibb reached the vessel's reported position, but found no sign, either of the Coulmore or of survivors. The Bibb reported that there was a moderate southerly gale and that she was continuing the search northwards in very heavy seas. She expected soon to make contact with a flying boat from New York. Another plane was reported to be en route, as well as four other cutters end two merchantmen.

There was a serious storm in the area yesterday and earlier to-day a 40-mile-an-hour wind continued, thus making conditions perilous for any survivors in lifeboats. The Coulmore's distress position is 100 miles within the Panama conference neutrality zone. It is reliably slated in Washington that if the Coulmore was attacked, the United States will immediately consult the other American republics concerning steps to be taken which might possibly result in a protest to Germany, either individually or collectively. White House said the cutters were instructed only to rescue survivors and gather information, which is interpreted as meaning that they will not hunt for a submarine or raider. It is reported in Baltimore that the wife of the master, Captain Ernest Davies, is aboard the Coulmore.