51 



At 10.50 intercepted radio call from steamship Metagamn stating 

 that she had been in collision with steamship Clara Camus 7 miles 

 ESE. from Cape Race; that boat and three men from Metagama were 

 missing- in fog ; that both vessels were then heading for St. Johns and 

 Metagama requested that nearby vessels stand by her. Immediately 

 ordered all speed forced draft, recalled Modoc to look after missing 

 boat and sent radio to Metagama that Tam'pa was coming to her 

 assistance. Later radio dispatches showed that forward stokehold of 

 Metagama was flooded, that forepeak of Clara Camus was badly 

 damaged; that Metagama was making only 5 knots, with steamship 

 Henbane Head standing by her. The steamship Rosalind was also 

 making for the position of the Metagama at urgent request of master 

 of the latter vessel. We immediately cleared after deck and made 

 ready for towing in emergency. At 3.25 the Tampa rounded Cape 

 Eace, using frequent radio compass bearings and also guided by the 

 diaphone fog signal in the dense fog with currents prevailing in this 

 vicinity. Later dispatches indicated that Metagama was making 

 some 7 knots speed and that Clara Camus was ahead and in no need 

 of assistance. At 3.55 the master of Metagama in response to in- 

 quiry stated that he then considered that he could safely reach St. 

 Johns without Tanwpa's assistance, but he expressed much gratitude. 

 Thus this vessel was released to assist in search for missing boat. 

 Immediately stood some 5 miles to leeward of the last reported posi- 

 tion hoping that the boat might be seen or heard. 



We began rectangular search, fixing visibility at three-eighths 

 mile, and watching closely for sight of boat or sound of her foghorn 

 or voice of occupants. The fog gradually cleared, and at 5.45 increased 

 to full speed, forced draft, and continued rectangular search to 

 leeward, fixing visibility for boat at 3 miles, lines of search being 6 

 miles apart. Communicated with Furness Withy Co., steamship 

 agents, St. Johns, and requested that they advise us via Cape Race 

 if news were received of boat or occupants. At 9 stopped and drifted 

 for the night because of failing visibility. At 10 p. m. received com- 

 munication from Furness Withy Co. that Metagama had arrived, 

 but nothing heard from boat. Modoc requested to search south of 

 latitude 46° 35' and west of 52° 30'. 



June 20 : Moderate to fresh WNW. to SW. breezes throughout day. 

 Partly cloudy; good visibility. At 4 a. m. under way; stood 240° 

 true for 3 miles to recover drift for night, then took up rectangular 

 search, full speed, forced draft, covering area directly to leeward 

 of last position of boat; lines of search magnetic north and south, 

 24 miles in length, beginning 6 miles apart and later Avidened to 8 

 miles apart. Last line for the day was south of this area and ex- 

 tending west magnetic. At 9.20 stopped and drifted for the night 



