THE BURNING STEAMER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 284, 27 November 1908, Page 5

THE BURNING STEAMER.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTTNINE LIVES LOST. GREAT HEROISM DISPLATED. j LOXDOX , , November 26. Further details of the fire aboard the steamer Sardinia show that the master (Captain Litler) the officers, and crewbehaved with great heroism. Captain Litler stuck to his post throughout, and perished in the flames. When the fire damaged the steam steering apparatus, the captain went and worked with the handgear, bringing tha vessel's head round the headland towards Fort Rieasoli, and avoiding the powder mapszine at the mouth of the harbour. Eighteen out of 44 of the Sardinia's crew, five out of 11 of the ordinary passengers, including one Britisher, and 100 out of 140 jMoorish pilgrims perished. The vessel had just left the harbour of Taletta (the chief town of Malta), and there were thousands of spectators on shore. Energetic assistance in rescue work was carried out under the supervision of Admirals Curzon-Howe and Fisher pinnaces, tugs, and launches being sent out j to the burning vessel with strong parties of bluejackets. The outbreak occurred in Xo. 2 hold, and is believed to have been caused by a pilgrim's carelessness. The flames spread with amazing rapidity, enveloping the vessel amidships. A number of Arabs, who were in the forward part of the steamer, including (many women and children, refused to jump overboard, although urged to do so by numerous boats' crews, who were unable to approach owing to the high seas. The hatches were blown ofl, killiug many, mostly Arabs. Everyone in the engineroom was burnt to death. The flames were 200 feet high, and repeated explosions occurred. Finally, still burning, the vessel struck the Ricasoli rocks. The Sardinia's officers and crew, and the naval parties, acted with the utmost heroism throughout. Fifty-two of the rescued are under j treatment in the hospital. Twenty-seven corpses have been recovered. The Duke of Connaught, the Archbishop of Malta and clergy, and the Governor (Lieutenant-General Henry Fane Grant) gave active assistance, and showied great kindness to the sufferers.