Plymouth, England. Jan. 31.—(AP)—British conservatism went by the boards when the storm-battered United States liner President Roosevelt entered Plymouth Sound at 10 o’clock this morning carrying 25 members of the crew of the British freighter Antinoe, whose lives the Americans saved after a four days’ battle in mid-ocean.
The whistle and sirens of hundreds of ships and factories greeted the men whose valor transcended national lines and has focused the eyes of the world on Captain Fried and his gallant crew. Their work of mercy succeeded, though it cost the lives of two gallant rescuers.
“Well done,” was the signal hoisted on two tenders which steamed out to meet the Roosevelt coming in with empty davits, indicating the position of the lifeboats which had been battered to pieces in the cruel sea through which the Roosevelt‘s men sought to reach the Antinoe crew clinging to the sinking freighter.
Captain Fried responded to the signal with flags which spelled out “Thank you.”
All manner of craft in the great naval harbor bore crowds which shouted their welcome. The tenders were crowded with notables, but all made way for a little woman weeping with joy who was the first person to cross the lowered bridge to the deck of the Roosevelt. It was Mrs. Harry Tose, wife of the Antinoe‘s captain.
She rushed into the arms of her husband and collapsed.
Mrs. Tose had her first intimation of the peril in which her husband was when she went to a library in her home town to consult Lloyds’ List. Then she saw “Antinoe in distress.”
“How can I ever thank you enough for giving me back my husband?” she exclaimed tearfully when she was introduced to Captain Fried, who modestly replied: “I did what any sailor would do. It was just my luck to be there. Any other should would have done the same.”
The Antinoe‘s crew was a quaint, jolly party, whose spirits had been revived by a diet of American buckwheat cakes and Philadelphia capon, which greatly cheered the chilled seamen, who had not had a bite of warm food for four days before their rescue.
The passengers and crew of the Roosevelt clothed the men from their own wardrobes.
Captain Tose, before leaving the ship, handed Captain Fried this letter: “It is impossible for me to find words to express to you on behalf of myself and the officers and crew of the Antinoe our heartfelt gratitude to you for your heroic rescue of all of us from our ill-fated ship. Your splendid determination saved us at all costs, even at the cost of your brave men, and fills us with deepest thankfulness.
“We shall never forget your noble spirit of sacrifice and your devotion to the highest instincts of humanity. Your handling of your ship in extreme difficulty merits our lasting praise as seamen.”
To Chief Officer Robert Miller, who accompanied at! the rescue boats which took off the Antinoe‘s crew and whose modest courage won the hearts of all witnesses of his gallant performance, Captain Tose handed the following:
“As master of the Antinoe I wish on behalf of my officers and men to thank you with ail my heart for the part you took in saving us from the sinking ship. Your intrepid bearing, modest disposition and remarkable skill in connection with your brave act in commanding the three lifeboats call forth our admiration and gratitude. You have Indeed given us back our lives.
“Words are lacking to express gratitude to you and your brave men, and all we can say is that we thank you from the depths of our hearts. May God bless you all.”
Daily kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME, February 1, 1926