RESCUE PRAISED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20877, 1 September 1942, Page 2

RESCUE PRAISED

U.S. PLANE AND CREW DOMINION SHIP'S FEAT MACHINE TOWED TO PORT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, this day A message of congratulation to the officers and men of a New Zealand ship serving south of the Solomons from the commander of the South Pacific Area, Vice-Admiral Robert L Ghormley, U.S.ft., was received following the rescue of the crew o.f an amphibian plane after she had been forced down at sea through lack of petrol. The New Zealand ship picked up the plane’s crew several hundred miles from land and succeeded in towing the amphibian plane back to port. Vice-Admiral Ghormley’s message paid a tribute to the fact that the ship had effected her rescue in spite of the known presence of enemy submarines and also to the feat of towing the aircraft back to port.

Vice-Admiral Ghormley expressed his commendation and congratulations to the commander of the ship, his officers and men for the successful accomplishment of a hazardous task, requiring skilful seamanship. The rescue took place under difficult conditions, rough weather making the towing operation hazardous in the extreme. However, the plane was brought safely back, was refuelled and was flying again the same day. Her crew had been down for two and a half days and were actually in their rubber dinghies when picked up.