SHIP SINKS IN FLAMES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 29, 14 November 1949, Page 5

SHIP SINKS IN FLAMES

LOSS OF SIX LIVES LIFEBOATS PERFORM GOOD WORK , (N.Z.P.A.—Copyright) (Rec. 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 13. Twenty-five survivors and six dead are reported so far from the wreck of the Spanish steeamer Monte Gurugu (3554 tons) which sank in flames off Lundy Island, in the Bristol Channel in one of * the year’s worst gales. Six seamen are missing.

Ten of the crew are not accounted for. The Monte Gurugu sank after her crew had abandoned the ship. One report says she struck a drifting mine, but the Admiralty does not confirm this. The first news of the sinking came from Lloyds, which picked up an S O S saying the crew was abandoning the ship and wanted help quickly.

The British tanker Port Frederica then radioed that she had sighted the Monte Gurugu on-fire, and had seen her go down. The Port Fredeyica abandoned the search when she failed tq.find any lifeboats. Meanwhile the Monte Gurugu’s SOS was heard in North Devon towns, and lifeboats went out from Clovelly, Appledore and Ilfracombe. They found one of the Monte Gurugu’s lifeboats smashed.

The Ilfracombe lifeboat later returned to port with 19 survivors sifter battling in heavy seas for four hours. It left again immediately to continue the search.

The lifeboat from Appledore picked up six men floating in. the sea, but only one was alive. Among the survivors brought ashore by the Ilfracombe lifeboat was the Monte Gurugu’s skipper, Captain x Luis, of Bilbao. The survivors suffered from the effects of exposure. Some’ men wore only singlets and pants, not having had time to get other clothes before abandoning ship. Boilers Burst The Monte Gurugu sank after her boilers had burst off Lundy Island soon after mountainous seas had smashed in a steel plate 'in the ship’s bow. When darkness fell local lifeboats gave up the search for the remaining survivors.

First messages, which later proved false, said the ship had struck a drifting mine and was afire. The Monte Gurugu was fully laden with coal when she left ‘Newport yesterday for Genoa.

Captain Luis Bilbao-Munairz said he noticed the ship sinking at the bows early to-day. The stern was running out of the water, and he could not turn the vessel when he tried to head for shelter. Big waves broke the rudder, and finally smashed the. side of the ship. Water poured in and the ship exploded and sank. Three lifboats were lowered, one of which is still missing.