SUNK BY MINE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 29, 14 November 1939, Page 5

SUNK BY MINE

BRITISH SHIP AT SINGAPORE. AFLOAT ONLY 15 MINUTES. SOME LOSS OF, LIFE OCCURS. United Press Association-’-Copyright.) SINGAPORE, November 13. The British India liner Sirdhana (7745 tons) sank within 15 minutes in Singapore harbour this morning, after an explosion believed to have been caused by a mine. SEVERAL CHILDREN LOST. BANISHED CHINESE ESCAPE. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) SINGAPORE, November 13. It is officialy stated that 11 deck passengers, chiefly children, were lost, and nine Asiatic passengers are: missing from the Sirdhana. When the explosion occurred 137 Chinese who were being banished to Hong Kong were below decks behind a grille. The European police officer-in; charge blew off. the locks with his revolver and-all the Chinese escaped from the.sinking vessel. ’ '.. .7 -

FAMOUS MAGICIAN SAVED. (Received This. Day. 10.25" aim,) SINGAPORE, November. 13. The American magician, Nicola, who recently toured New Zealand and Australia and nine members of ilris ' company were among those rescued-from the British liner Sirdhana, which sank at the waterfront. It is not. confirmed that the steamer struck a mine. ALL ASIATICS MISSING." (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 13. The Singapore correspondent of the Associated Press of America states, in connection with the sinking of the British liner on the waterfront that all Asiatics on board were drowned or are missing. DUE TO MINE EXPLOSION. AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. (Received This Day, 1.15 n.m.) SINGAPORE, November 13. It is officially announced that the Sirdhana’s sinking was due to the explosion of a mine.