OPERATION AT SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22985, 14 September 1936, Page 9

OPERATION AT SEA

CAPTAIN OF MARAMA CALL FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SYDNEY, Sept. 12. A wireless. message was received in Sydney last night by the Union Company that the master of the Marama, Captain Kane, had developed acute appendicitis while the vessel was on her way across the Tasman, and that an urgent operation was being arranged. The message was from the master of the Niagara, who stated that he had received a radio from the Marama seeking the services of the Niagara’s surgeon to assist in the operation. The Niagara is on her way to the Marama and is expected to reach her shortly after midnight (Sydney time). The Marama had to change her course and the vessels were converging. LATEST INFORMATION SYDNEY, Sept. 12. (Received Sept. 13, at 6.30 p.m.) A wireless message received here last night read as follows: —“ Captain Kane’s condition satisfactory. From this it is deduced that Dr Mercer, the Marama’s surgeon, had operated on Captain Kane without the assistance of Dr Sweeney, of the Niagara. The chief officer (T. Sevan), who took over the command of the Marama when Captain Kane became ill, wirelessed that owing to a rising sea he was unable to reach the Niagara, and consequently the Marama was heading direct for Wellington at top speed. A COMPLETE SUCCESS (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. The Union Company states that word has been received that the operation on Captain Kane was performed by the Marama’s surgeon without the assistance of the Niagara’s surgeon, The operation was entirely successful, and the patient is progressing satisfactorily.