1.
GV Freighter aground off coast.
0.03

2.
AIR SHOT... flying over onlookers on cliff.
0.08

3.
AIR SHOT... freighter aground.
0.13

4.
SV Photographers on cliff.
0.15

5.
SV Waves breaking over freighter.
0.21

6.
NEARER V.. ditto.
0.25

7.
SV Crew abandoning ship.
0.28

8.
LV Ditto and waves breaking over freighter.
0.35

9.
CU Waves breaking over freighter.
0.38

10.
LV Rescue launch.
0.43

11.
SV Crew of ship alongside shore.
0.48

12.
CU Members of crew coming ashore, and Captain.
0.57

13.
SV PAN.. of crew.
1.01

14.
GV Waves breaking over grounded freighter.
1.06



Initials TDH/N/AHS/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Greek freighter "Dominator", bound for Algiers with a cargo of Canadian wheat, was heading for Los Angeles to refuel Mar 15 when it went aground in thick fog off the coast of Southern California.

Following distress signals from the stricken ship, US Coast Guard vessels went out when the fog cleared the following day and managed to get a tow rope aboard. Unfortunately, the ship was firmly wedged in a reef of rocks and the rope snapped.

In danger of breaking up under the giant waves crashing over her decks, the ship's crew were taken off. Captain Papanicolopoulos intended to stay aboard to protect his vessel from salvage claims, but as the ship's hull buckled and the grain began to swell in the holds he too was taken off.