WEST AFRICAN SHIPWRECK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 101, 30 April 1923, Page 5

WEST AFRICAN SHIPWRECK.

TOTAL OF 227 SAVED. 24 STILL BOSSING. FOG AND HEAVY SEA. (By Cable.—rress Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN, April 29. The mystery surrounding the wreck of the Portuguese liner Mossamedes was dispelled by the arrival of a Portuguese gunboat at Port Mossamedes with 110 j survivors, while S4 others landed at Port I Alexandre, Portuguese West Africa. The ! French gunboat Cassiopc also picked up i :i3. The chief oSieor states that the vessel I struck rocks in a dem*e fog three huni died yards from the shore on Tuesday morning. It was pitch dark and a rough i sea was running. The passengers were all asleep and a panic ensued. The efforts of the captain and the officers gradually I succeeded, and the confusion subsided. ! When dawn broke the passengers were huddled on deck, but notwithstanding I wireless calls there was no sign of help. The boat's were quickly provisioned and lnwered, the women and children going first. When the fourth boat was being launched the tackle gave way and all the occupants were tlunz into the sea, seven being drowned. The chief officer (Paulino) plunged into the sea and rescued thirteen. The captain remained with the .ship till two in the afternoon, when he decided to abandon it. As there was no chance of the boats landing, owing to heavy surf, they proceeded in a northerly direction, and suf-; fered much before they were rescued by the intense heat in the. daytime and bitter cold' at night. The Government , authorities and the residents of Mossamedes are doing their utmost for their comfort, and the Government building- , have been placed at their disposal. — (A. : and N.Z. Cable.)