British Ship Sinks, 5 Crewmen Saved

NORDDEICH, West Germany — A British ship sank off the north German coast early Sunday after sending a distress signal, but its five crewmen were rescued by a passing ship, the Norddeich coastal radio station said.

The station identified the ship as a 700-ton coaster called Gwyn and said it had signaled that it was listing badly some 30 miles northwest of the north German island of Borkum.

A rescue ship sailed towards the Gwyn from the neighboring island of Norderney, but the British vessel Hoop reached the Gwyn first and rescued the crew, the station said.