POLISH SHIP’S END

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20106, 28 November 1939, Page 7

POLISH SHIP’S END

TORPEDO VICTIM DEATH OF CAPTAIN (Reed. Nov. 28, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27. A British destroyer landed, at a north-east of England port, 103 survivors of the Polish liner Pilsudski. which was torpedoed on Sunday. A British trawler picked up 68 survivors. Three died, including Captain Hamart Stankiewicz.

A terrific explosion caused the ship to list, and another explosion two minutes later crippled her. The survivors, when picked up, were scantily clad. The injured were cut by flying glass, six being taken to hospital. Tlie captain, when he saw the position was hopeless, ordered the abandonment of the ship. The lifeboats were swiftly manned and lowered. The captain, though wounded, stood by until the last, and then dived into the sea because the boats were full. He was pulled aboard a raft, to which the occupants clung for an hour before a destroyer arrived. Stoker Bell and two other members of the crew of the destroyer jumped overboard and brought the raft alongside. The skipper died a few minutes after being taken aboard. Injured in Berths

The second officer, John Mickalsky, said that about 140 escaped in six boats. Some were injured by the collapse of the berths, while the wreckage pinned others and possibly killed some.

The wireless operator said that the lights went out and it was impossible to send a message.

Rad wan Frank, aged 19, held the captain by one arm and swam with the other until he got him to the raft. Local air raid precautions men took the survivors ashore and made them comfortable.

British survivors extol the calm orderliness of the whole crew. The loss of the Pilsudslci brings the week’s tonnage sunk to 100,000.