MALOJA'S DEATH-ROLL NUMBERS 147.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 51, 29 February 1916, Page 5

MALOJA'S DEATH-ROLL NUMBERS 147.

ATTEMPT TO BEACH THE VESSEL FAILS. EXPLOSION BLOWS IN SIDE OP SECOND CABIN. LONDON, February 28. The death roll on the Maloja was much heavier than was first suppqsed, and it is now estimated that 147 lives were lost, 2G4 out of the 411 aboard being saved. The majority of the victims were Lascars. No Australians or New Zealanders are known to have been on board. Some of those rescued from the Maloja died from exhaustion aboard the rescuing vessels. The weather was intensely cold. CAPTAIN'S STORY OF THE DISASTER. Captain Irving was the last to leave the ship, and was picked up after half-an-hour's swim. All the officers and engine-room staff were saved. The captain reports' that the Maloja struck a mine between Dover and Folkestone. The aftcrpart was blown up, and he tried to beach the vessel. A high sea was running, and the engine-room became full of water. She sank in about half-an-hour. All the boats had been swung out before the accident, in the event of emergency. The white and coloured crew behaved splendidly. Several children were blown to pieces. Out of 203 Lascars 86 were saved. The majority of those, rescued were taken off on rafts. One boat already in the water drifted under a boat being lowered. The underneath boat capsized, and only two occupants escaped. LIST PREVENTS LOWERING OF THE BOATS. Captain Shepherd, of the Empress of Fort William, states:—"On leaving the Downs this morning I saw the Maloja astern. She soon overhauled and passed us, owing to her superior speed. 1 saw the Maloja off Dover, apparently awaiting examination by a patrol boat for permission to pass. I did not hear an explosion, but was amazed to notice the Maloja down by the stern. I heard a loud blast of her whistle, and immediatclywent at full speed to the rescue. We were a long way astern. I saw the Maloja's boatslying on her side. They could not be lowered owing to the list. The passengers were lined up, re"minding one of the picture of the sinking of the Herman cruiser Blucher." Captain Shepherd took a snapshot of the scene. Half-an-hour later hc> lost his own ship and all his possessions, but the entire crew of twenty were caved. RESCUING BOATS KEPT TOO FAB AWAY. Captain Shepherd expressed the opinion that the vessels endeaVouring to rescue the Maloja kept too far away. It it had been possible, he would have run the Kmpre.ss of Kort William alongside, but still his ship w M mine d when a mile astern, sinking in 40 minutes. Captain Shepherd saw many persons standing on the decks of the Maloja, apparently unable to get into the crowded boats. The explosion blew in the side of the second saloon of the Maloja and knocked several passengers on the deck off their feet. A number were injured Water immediately swamped thq interior. There was a fairly heavy sea Tacrc was no panic,, although the native crew were terrified. One was. knocked on the head with an oar to prevent his entering a boat before it was ready. EXPLOSION LIKE THAT OF A BIG GUN. Tasscngers say the explosion was like that of a heavy gun.' One boat jammed, and an officer cut it loose. The boat dropped 30ft," and a tug picked it up. Tjfic pilot on the Maloja was rendered deaf by the concussion. He ears the boats were swung out in readiness for an emergency. Many passengers possessed private lifebelts. « s There were pitiful scenes on the arrival of a epecial train at Victoria Station with the survivors. The procession included nearly 100 Lascars dejected and silent. Some of the injured 'passengers state that the absence' of paiuc was due to the nearness of land. With wonderful promptitude scores of vessels surrounded the Maloja on all sides. The weather was fair. THREE OTHER STEAMERS MINES. The Dutch steamer Mecklenburg, of 2,885 tons, bound from England to Flushing, was mined and sunk. It is believed the passengers, crew, and mails were saved. The French steamer Trignac, of 2,375 tons, struck" a mine and sank in the \ North Sea. Twenty-six of those aboard -were drowned. The British steamer Dido struck a mine and was driven ashore in a eale off the Humber. Twenty-six were drowned. '.* ... '