LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

Advanced search

The American Steamer John R. Park, of San Francisco (1)

MARCH 21ST. - PENLEE, AND THE LIZARD, CORNWALL. At 4.15 in the afternoon a message was received at Penlee from the coastguard at Penzance, that a vessel and possibly two, nine miles west of The Lizard, needed help. There was a light southerly wind and fog. The sea was smooth. About 4.30 the motor life-boat W. and S. was launched and at 5.30 found the American steamer John R. Park, of San Francisco. She had been torpedoed and was sinking. H.M. ships were standing by.

One of them told the life-boat that the whole crew of 76 had been rescued. Some of them had returned to their steamer to recover their kit, and the life-boat stood by until they again left the steamer. She then made for her station, arriving at 7.30 that evening.

The news of the sinking of the John R. Park was given to the life-boat station at The Lizard by the Cadgwith coastguard at 4.23, and at 4.56 the motor life-boat Duke of York was launched. She reached the scene at 5.50 to find H.M. ships and the Penlee life-boat already there, stood by for a time, and then returned to her station, arriving at 8.30 that evening. - Rewards : Penlee, £20 2s. ; The Lizard, £25 13s.