Gibraltar, Mar. 15
One of the first detailed descriptions of how the British steamers n and Stangate were stopped by Nationalist Spanish warships reen today by the Bel-Captain Pearcy Evans.
Reports were received that General Francis" Franco intended to fire on and sink all vessels in the vicinity of the Spanish coast" he "Thereupon three steamers ided to quit Valencia.
"The United States steamer Erica Reed left for Marseilles and the Bellwyn and Stangate for Gibraltar. When we were 22 miles north-west of Cape San Toninio, a Nationalist cruiser appeared and flashed searchlights on the Stangate and signalled her 1o proceed to Palma.
"Tue Stangate changed her course toward Palma. She had no wireless aboard. The cruiser then flashed the Bellwyn, instructing her to proceed in a similar direction. I ack-knowledged the message but continued along the course for Gibraltar.
"The nationalist cruiser," Captain continued, "approached within and through megaphones ers shouted "We will fire and sink you if you don't obey."
again ignored the threats. Thereupon the cruiser came so close to our bows that we nearly collided. At the same time she fired a shot, but I continued, ignoring everything I then sent a Morse message the Stangate: 'I am not submitting but proceeding to Gibraltar. I have wirelessed for assistance.'
"I would have seen the Beilwyn sink rather than to surrender t9 a Franco ship," he concluded.—United Press, sies to help the Hu:
occupation el ight be too sla
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.