LIFEBOAT LOST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1939, Page 5

LIFEBOAT LOST

FEARS THAT SEVEN MEN * WERE DROWNED TRAGEDY ON THE COAST OF CORNWALL. ATTEMPT TO HELP SHIP IN DISTRESS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, January 23. It is believed that seven persons were drowned when the St Ives. (Cornwall) lifeboat was lost fn a terrific northwesterly gale today. The remaining member of the crew, named Freeman, was washed ashore injured. The crew was practically the same as those who on January 31, 1938, went out to the steamer Alba, when the lifeboat capsized, but all were saved. The lifeboat was launched at 3 a.m. in response to a summons from a steamer in distress between St Ives and Land’s End. It met the full fury of the gale when it left the shelter of St Ives’ Bay. A red flare indicated that the lifeboat needed help, but after that there was no sign. It is believed that a huge sea washed out seven of the crew the majority of whom were married men with families. Freeman was able to cling to the boat which was later washed ashore. The Padstow lifeboat also put out to a steamer which was disabled because of the gale, and the Penlee lifeboat is searching for the crew of the St Ives’ boat. A SAFELY AWAY. STEAMER FROM WHICH CALL CAME. (British Official Wireless., (Received This Day, 10.8 a.m.) RUGBY, January 23. The steamer to whose assistance the Saint Ives lifeboat was proceeding when disaster befell her was able to get away under her own steam. SEVERE WEATHER

BRITAIN SWEPT BY GALES. FALLING HOUSE KILLS TWO CHILDREN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received his Day, 10.8 a.m.) RUGBY. January 23. The severe gales which swept Southwest England during the night continued this morning. A gust of 94 miles an hour was recorded at the Scilly Islands and gale conditions prevailed in the English Channel. On land the gale caused damage in Devonshire and Cornwall. A house collapsed at Devonport in the early morning, causing the death of two children.