GALLANT POLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1940, Page 5

GALLANT POLES

SHIP TAKEN OUT OF DAKAR HARBOUR ESCAPE FROM NAZI SEIZURE. SAFE ARRIVAL IN BRITISH PORT. (Received This Day, 9.47 a.m.) (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 2. Another Polish merchant ship has been preserved for further service to the Allied cause, through the determination and skill of its officers and crew. The 1,864-ton Polish steamer Kroman was lying at Dakar and had been immobilised by the removal of a vital part of its machinery. One day last week the captain discovered that a number of Germans, who had arrived at Dakar by air, were planning to seize the ship. He determined on an attempt to break out of harbour, to prevent the ship, falling into enemy hands. By improvisation and engineering skill, the Kroman’s engines were made to work and the ship escaped' through the harbour defences. On reaching the open sea a course was set for a British port. All this was accomplished although there were no charts on board and the Kroman is now safe in a British port. The captain has been personally congratulated by the naval authorities on the courage, engineering skill and fine seamanship displayed by him and his crew.