MAGNIFICENT FEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1939, Page 6

MAGNIFICENT FEAT

FLYING-BOATS RESCUE CREW OF 34 FROM TORPEDOED BRITISH SHIP. QUICK ANSWER TO S.O.S. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, Noon). LONDON, September 21. An official announcement states that two Royal Air Force flying-boats were responsible for a magnificent feat in rescuing the entire crew of 34 from the Kensington Court, which was torpedoed in the Atlantic. The aircraft were engaged in patrol over the Atlantic when they picked up an S.O.S. from an English tramp saying she was sinking. The aircraft arrived on the scene 10 minutes before the boat sank. The pilots saw a small boat packed with men. Other members of the crew were clinging to its sides. The pilots made a quick search for the submarine. Then, while one kept watch aloft, the other alighted. Fourteen men, some in a desperate condition were pulled aboard the fly-ing-boat. Taking off presented a difficulty, owing to the heavy load. The other machine then descended and rescued 20 men. • As the flying-boats were speeding to England, the rescued men told how one lifeboat capsized and the other was in danger of sinking as help camo. This is the first time shipwrecked sailors have been rescued by the Air arm.