Roger Brooker

I joined the La Orilla in Antwerp on the 8th December 1954. She was a wartime built "Fort" boat, a triple expansion steam engine in a well worn ship. The Master was Captain T.L.Bradford, First Mate Johann Laabs (an Estonian who achieved a British Masters Certificate at the age of 60). He held both Finnish and Russian sailing Masters tickets and fascinated us all with his experiences in sail. Second Mate was David Potter and the Radio Operator was Alan Brown.

The following text is taken from the original newspaper report (shown opposite) on the storm that crippled the La Orilla in 1954/5

Bound from Halifax NS to Le Havre, France the Orilla was encountering strong winds and heavy seas, when she suddenly developed a list to port, the Captain recounted.

"Through some unknown cause, water entered the ship, caused the cargo in the No.2 hold to shift and resulted in the ship listing to port" Captain Bradford said.

"The first hour or two after the list developed was the worst" he said "After that I was quite confident we could get to port once the weather started to moderate".

"The crew behaved magnificently, each man did his duty without fear or nervousness" the Captain said "I can't speak too highly of my crew".

"We are also very thankful to the rescue ships which came to our side - it was very comforting to have them with us" Captain Bradford said.

Captain Bradford said that after the first hour of the list developing there was never any thought in his mind of abandoning the ship. "The water looked too cold to get into", he said with a smile.

It was imediately after the ship suddenly listed to port that Captain Bradford instructed his wireless operator to send out the SOS. "At the time we didn't know how bad the situation was or how far she was going to go. She could have turned over - that's why I broadcast an appeal for assistance".

The Israeli freighter "Tel Aviv" about 30 miles away, was the first ship to reach the La Orilla.

Wireless operator Alan Brown of Manchester flashed the SOS at 8.22am (Halifax time) Tuesday morning and early that afternoon the Tel Aviv arrived. "It sure was comforting to see another ship alongside" said navigating officer D.A.Potter of Edinburgh.

"At one time, before the Tel Aviv arrived, we were rolling as much as 35 degrees" he said. "I thought it was just a matter of time before she would roll over" Potter said.

He said that the ship was encountering fresh gales with winds of about 40 mile per hour when the ship suddenly lurched to port. All day Tuesday and early Wednesday the heavy seas lapped at the rolling ship. "It was around 10.00am Wednesday when the weather began to moderate".

Other officers recalled that the United States Navy transport ship "Blue Jacket" reached the scene shortly after the Tel Aviv. The Tel Aviv continued on her course and the Blue Jacket stood by until the coastguard cutter "Cook Inlet" arrived early Wednesday morning. The Halifax tug "Foundation Josephine II" reached the La Orilla about 2.00am Thursday morning.

Both the Josephine and the Cook Inlet escorted the damaged Orilla to Halifax. The Cook Inlet escorted as far as Sambro Lightship at the entrance to Halifax Harbour.

Wireless operator Brown, who said he was too busy to worry very much about the plight of the vessel asked newsmen to convey his gratitude to the radio operators at Camperdown, Canso and Cape Race radio stations, "For taking a bearing on the La Orilla - right at the moment of distress".

Captain Bradford said after the ship listed, he was eventually able to control the list by placing exrta weight on the other side. "After that the pumps kept the water under control".

After starting out for Halifax Wednesday morning, Captain Bradford said the Orilla had no further difficulty. "She came along like a little hero".

Captain Bradford singled out Chief Officer John Laabs and Wireless Operator Brown for special words of praise, but added that the behaviour of the entire crew was magnificent.

The Captain in turn, was praised by officers and seamen for the manner in which he handled the critical situation. "He's a great Skipper" was the tribute paid by seaman Oswald Hunt of Cardiff.

Hunt described the ordeal as "Bloody terrible".

On arrival the freighter docked at Pier 39, where a survey was scheduled to begin. The ship was carrying copper and lead concentrates in the No.2 hold which was innundated by water. Extent of the damage to the cargo eas not known last night.