A US navy salvage team was preparing yesterday to launch a remotely operated submersible to confirm that wreckage discovered near the Bahamas was that of the cargo ship El Faro, lost in a hurricane last month along with its 33 crew members.

A dangerous rainstorm drenching the US East Coast has brought more misery to South Carolina – cutting power to thousands, forcing hundreds of water rescues and closing many roads because of floodwater.