A DOUBLE COLLISION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17273, 11 October 1921, Page 7

A DOUBLE COLLISION.

STEAMEE SUNK; SIXTEEN DROWNED.

(By OaMe—Pre?» Association—Copyright.) (Australian find XZ. Cable Association.)

LONDON, October 9.

The Laird Line steamer Rowan, 1493 tons, bound from Glasgow to Dublin, sank off Ailsa Craig (Firth of Clyde), at midnight, after a dramatic double collision. There were 93 people on board the vessel, of whom 56 passengers and 21 of the crew were saved. Thirteen of the crew and three passengers arc missing.

Tho first collision took place between the Rowan and the American steamer Westmark in a heavy fog. The."Westmark stood by with her forepeak full of water.

Tho Clan liner Clan Malcolm, steaming in the fog, then ran into the disabled Rowan, which sank. The wireless distress calls brought the destroyer Wrestler and tho steamer Woodcock'to the scene. They picked up the survivors.

All the Rowan's passengers were below when the first collision occurred. Thev oame on deck, prepared to put on lifebelts, but found the vessel had only a slight list, and the crew was hopeful of making port without assistance.

Ten minutes later the Rowan was struck amidships by the Clan Malcolm and crumpled up like matchwood. One of the survivors said the Rowan sank within a minute. A huge hole was torn in hor side. Everyone, went down with Ihe ship, as there was no time to launch the boats, and it was astonishing that so many were rescued. Two passengers, including a member of an American jazz band, of whom there were 32 coloured members aboard, died after being, picked up. The mastaV of the Rowan went down with his ship. . -The Clan Malcolm was answering the Rowan's wireless call, which stated there was no immediate ; danger of sinking and that the crew were launching the "lifeboats, and serving out lifebelts, when tho second collision occurred. .. The Wrestler's searchlights, enabled her boats to see the survivors, struggling in the water, otherwise the death-roll would nave been greater amid the darkness. Several were saved by sailors jumping into the water from the. destroyer and holding people up until tbe I boats picked them up.