The ship was torpedoed and set on fire. The damage was so grave that the Master ordered her to be abandoned and this was done with perfect organisation. The Master afterwards behaved with outstanding courage, bringing his boat back in spite of great risk, to rescue the Chief Radio Officer, who had stayed at his post till the last, to make sure that his distress messages had been received. Mr. Jennings, twenty-four hours after being landed, hearing that another ship needed a Chief Radio Officer, at once volunteered.