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I SINKING OF THE EMPRESS!…

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SINKING OF THE EMPRESS OF IRELAND. I Caerwys Man, Senior Wireless Operator, Sends The "S.O.S." Message. I A GRAPHIC NARRATIVE. The terrible story of the loss of the Em- press of Ireland last Friday morning has been of absorbing interest to Caerwys, and one portion was received with joy when it was found that one of the sons of Caervvy6 Tjvas among the saved. We refer to Mr. Ronald Ferguson, the senior Marconi wireless operator on the -Empress of Ireland, who figured so gallant- ly and conspicuously in sending out the direful "S.O.S." message to Father Point. After the message was sent, and ere fur- ther appeal for help could be made, the wireless was shattered and the auxiliary ap- pliance was upset as the boat listed. Ferguson got out of the wireless room and into the sea, and after swimming about was picked up. Mr Ronald Ferguson is the son of Mrs. Ferguson, now of Birkenhead, and brother- in-law of Mr. Isaac Jones, of Afonwen Post Office He was born at The Hollies, Caer- wys, and is about twenty years of age. His father lost his life at sea many years ago. His mother was for some time a teacher at Caerwys National Schools, and until Febru- ary last resided in Caerwys, leaving for Birkenhead that she might have a home for her two sons near to the Mersey. Both eons are engaged at sea. Ronald is the younger. Caerwys people feel proud that one of theirs should have been able to help to- wards the rescue of those on board the ill- fated vessel. Dramatic Narrative. A wireless message to the "Daily Chron- icle" gives the following narrative from Chief Wireless Operator Ferguson:— "The first intimation of anything having happen- ed was when the whistle commenced blow- ing at, approximately, 1.45 (American time). i Mr. Bamford, the junior operator, had re- lieved me ten minut-ee previously, and when the vessel struck I came to the operating f room and took over the 'phones from him, telling him to stand by for distress signals. "Father Point coast station immediately answered, and stood by. I then told Mr. 1 Bamford to run along to the bridge and in- r quire whether the 'S 0 S' should be sent. ? He an while the chief officer came to the door s of the operating room, and told me that things were very serious indeed, and that I ( was to call for assistance. "I sent out the 'S 0 S' and added, 'We have struck something, and are sinking t fast.' Father Point replied, '0 K, old man. 5. Where are you?' To which I answered, 'Twenty miles pa6t Rimouski.' He repeat- ed, 'twenty miles,' and whilst I was sending out the word 'Yes' the current failed. Father Point then said 0 K-Am sending Lady Evelyn to you to render as- sistance.' Mr. Bamford had in the mean- time brought me some clothes, and when I had dressed I ran out along the deck shouting "Plenty of assistance is coming, and a ship will be here in less than an hour.' "I then returned to my cabin, and was preparing to work on the emergency gear, but just then the ship gave a fearful lurch, causing the accumulators to burst open the doors of the cupboard and scatter the con- tents over the floor of the cabin. "As it was impossible to do any more, I went out on the deck and picked up a deck chair, and just as I had put my arm through it I was thrown into the water." "Mr. Bamford was more fortunate. When he was thrown out of the ship he landed safely in a floating boat. After swimming about a quarter of an hour I managed to scramble into a lifeboat, from which I was able to reach the Storstad. "When the Lady Evelyn came alongside 1 jumped aboard her and gained an entry into her wireless cabin by means of the window. I used her gear to establish com- munieation with Father Point Station, to I whom I communicated all the details of the disaster that I had knowledge of. "When Mr. Bamford reached the Stors- tad, he took out one of her boats and ren- dered what assistance he could. He then boarded the Eureka with those whom he had rescued, and these were landed at Rimouski. "The bows of the Storstad are terribly torn, and are striking evidence of £ Tie force with which she struck the Empress of Ire- land." The operators, R. Ferguson and E. Bam- ford, of the Empress of Ireland, are leaving Quebec on June 4, on the Alsatian for Eng- land. I LOCAL MEN RESCUED. Mr. Thomas Williams, son of Mr. Ed- ward Williams, The Willows, Soughton, is one of the rescued crew of the ill-fated Em- I press of Ireland. Mr. Williams has been in the service of the C.P.R. Company for a number of years. He was one of the ste- wards on this particular voyage. The name of T. Wynne (Mold), a pantry man, is also given in the list of those res- | cued.

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