ITALIA’S CASTAWAYS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 241, 12 July 1928, Page 11

ITALIA’S CASTAWAYS

PARTY FEVERSTRICKEN SHORTAGE OF FOOD CECCIONI’S PITIFUL DEATH T|>e survivors from the Italia t in Vlglicri’s party are reported to be in desperate straits, being fever-stricken and short of food. Tho search for Malgrem’s party has been abandoned. . (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) London, July 10. The British United Press correspondent at Virgo Bay reports that the Swedish airman, Lundborg, states that all Viglieri’s party are fever-stricken. Food is very scarce; as a large part of the supplies dropped from aeroplanes fell into the sea or out of reach.

Ceccioni’s death was pitiful. After Lundborg had been rescued, Ceccioni’s five companions carried Ceccioni to an iceflow in order that he might be first rescued when Lundborg returned. Unfortunately, Lundborg crashed. Ceccioni was too heavy to be cariied back tv camp, so he was left in the open all night. His wounds froze, and death fcllowed.

The search for Malgrem’s party am Sora has been definitely abandoned.

When the Airship Crashed.

The original disaster was due to the fabric of the Italia being lacerated in the rear. Thus the airship lost steerage, and when the rudder would not act the’motors were stopped, because there was a fear of fire. When the crash came, all the Italians on the ice thought it best to die, so they crept into their sleeping bags, but their mood changed on the third day. Polar Bear For Food. A polar bear approached, and Malgrem, with tlie solitary revolver the party possessed, shot it at. a distance of fifteen feet, using five cartridges. The meat was cut off with a pair of scissors and cooked by means of solidified alcohol. For many nights the bears Came up and sniffed at the men’s sleeping bags.

DENIAL OF RUMOURS BROADCAST , (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Gisborne, July 11. A wireless broadcast from the ‘(New York Times” has been received (by Mr. O’Meara. It states that an official communication from Rome intimates that the silence Of the Italia's stranded crew is not regarded as ominous. The reported death of Ceccioni is denied, and although it is admitted that the men are greatly distressed and in need of encouragement the of mutiny and attempts at suicide are strenuously discredited'.