TRAGIC ERROR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 15 November 1939, Page 7

TRAGIC ERROR

TORPEDO ALARM 20 LIVES LOST ESCAPING FROM SHIP LIFEBOATS CAPSIZE LONDON, Nov. 1. A tragic misunderstanding on board a British ship, the Sagaing, in the Atlantic cost 20 lives after the ship had escaped from several U-boat attacks. It was believed, following, the explosion of a depth charge near the ship, that it had been torpedoed In the rush to abandon ship the people in two lifeboats were thrown into the sea and 20 were tdrowned.

The story was told by Mr. Alan Brigstoke Osbiston, aged 25, a photographer from Sydney, who was coming to England to seek work. -The Sagaing, of 7908 tons and owned by the British and Burmese Steam Navigation Company, was one of a convoy, the flagship of which the Yorkshire, was sunk.

“We were escorted in the early stages,” said Mr. Osbiston, “but the escort departed on October 15 in midAtlantic, declaring that all was clear. However, early on October 17 the Imperial Star, which was in the rear of the convoy, wirelessed that a submarine was pursuing her. The Imperial Star put on speed and escaped. Sinking- of Yorkshire “Later, the Imperial Star again encountered a U-boat. She changed course, crowded on speed, leaving the convoy far behind, and again escaped. The Yorkshire signalled to the convoy at 3.29 p.m. to change course and was herself sunk before executing the manoeuvre. After the sinking of the Yorkshire the convoy scattered.

“That night at 10 o’clock the Sagaing passed within 20 yards of a U-Boat which had come to the surface to .recharge its batteries. An apprentice said he could have thrown a quoit on the conning tower. A second U-boat was immediately sighted 500 yards distant and we speeded up. The rough weather prevented an attack. Destroyer Sinks U-boat.

“We began zig-zagging at dawn and a U-boat signalled to us to stop,” Mr. Osbiston continued. "Our second officer, playing for time, replied: "Repeat your message,” and continued sending out a signal for help.

A French destroyer appeared and her fourth shot struck the first Üboat, which sank. The Sagaing also signalled the whereabouts of the second U-boat, which the destroyer attacked with depth charges.

“Later, a British escort picked up the convoy, which headed for England. On October 19 a British destroyer dropped a depth charge at 7,p.m. and the violent explosion seemed to lif' the Sagaing a foot out of the water. “Crew and passengers believed that the ship had been torpedoed and hurried to the lifeboats. Nurse Violet Kemp found an abandoned infant on the deck and carried it to a lifeboat.

Lascars Cut Ropes

“While a boat was being lowered panicky Lascars cut the ropes at one end, spilling into the sea all its occupants, except a six-year-old boy, who clung to a seat.

“The boat swung awash from its painter, and my friend, Jack Clarke, an English dental mechanic, climbed down a rope ladder to rescue the boy, but he was crushed against the ship’s " side and washed under the propellers. He was not seen again. “A second rescuer, Rex Sutherland, reached the boat and tied a rope to the boy, who was then hauled to safety.

“Meanwhile, a second lifeboat ' was swung out and the occupants crowded to one side, causing it to capsize, flinging them into the sea. I shall never forget the sight of despairing faces disappearing in the darkness.

"Nurse Kemp was rescued by a destroyer after she had been in the water for several hours, but she weepingly disclosed that she had lost the infant.”