Edmonton Bulletin

31 Oct 1918

noxp0336

Navel Patrol Ship Galiano is in Distress

Faint Wireless Call for Aid Causes Apprehension of disaster

CAUGHT IN GALE

Rescue Vessels Rushed to Vicinity of Queen Charlotte Islands

Victoria, Oct 30, 1918 "Holds full of water, Send Help", This was the faint wireless message picked up at 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning from the naval patrol steamer Galiano by the coast wireless stations.

Although the worst is feared in view of the fact that no further message has been picked up in answer to the calls of flashed since the first notification was received from the apparently foundering steamer, it is considered possible by the naval authorities that the steamer's wireless apparatus has been carried away during the heavy gale blowing off Trinangle Island during the night. Further more, it is realized that the emergency dynamos may have been put out of commission by the heavy seas, which, according to the first message sent out must have flooded the vessel as she was battling against the storm. The vessel left Triangle Island at 9 o'clock Tuesday night from Ikeda Bay, and it is feared that disaster overtook the vessel off Cape St. James, a rocky point at the southern end of the queen Charlotte group Rescue vessels have been rushed to the scene and are now patrolling the vicinity in an effort to locate the vessel or some trace of her.

The weather reports indicate that a heavy southwesterly gale was raging off the northern end of Vancouver Island during Tuesday night. The wireless message sent out by the Galeiano, was so faint that it was concluded that the engines were out of commission.

The only theory that can be advanced is that the Galiano was disabled by the heavy seas, thrown broadside on to the wind and deluged by heavy seas.

The Galiano was a vessel of only 398 tones gross and was built at Dublin Ireland in 1913, to the order of the Dominion government. She was 162 feet long. She was designed for the Canadian fisheries patrol service and since the war she was used as a naval patrol boat.

The majority of her officers are residents of Victoria.

The complement of the Galiano follows.

 The above list is combined with 6 Nov 1918 n0xp0402

EDMONTON BOY ON BOARD GALIANO

Roderick McLeod, son of Kenneth A. McLeod, of Edmonton, was a cadet aboard the naval patrol steamer Galiano, reported in distress off Vancouver Island, and concerning whose fate grave anxiety is felt. A telegram was received by the family from Victoria Wednesday announcing that the ship had foundered, but giving the particulars.

Young McLeod is an Edmonton boy, only 16 years of age. He joined the Galiano six months ago. In a recent letter he wrote that the ship was leaving on a "dangerous trip" to carry food and ammunition to the civilians on Carrington Island.

E. Howard 2003-01-20