AQUITANIA AGROUND

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 168, 12 April 1935, Page 11

AQUITANIA AGROUND

On Southampton Water Mudbank TUGS’ VAIN EFFORTS Passengers Dance After Dinner LATER LEAVE BY TENDER By Telegraph. —Press Assn. —Copyright, (Received April 11. 7.25 p.m.) London. April 11. During a gale the Cunard-White Star liner Aquitania, which was due (<i dock at Southampton yesterday afternoon on her return from a Mediterranean cruise, made from New York, grounded at the entrance to Sdutlianipton Water. Nine lugs, including Britain's most powerful, failed to budge the Aquitania, lying on a mudbank throughout the night. Attempts will be renewed next high tide. Meanwhile 130 passengers landed, oil and water being pumped out into barges. Later all excepting 27 of the Aquitania’s passengers eventually elected to quit the ship by tenders in spite of a 60 miles an hour gale and rough seas, and arrived at London ar intervals during the night, being met by relatives and friends who had been anxiously waiting for hours at Waterloo Station. - The passengers included the Egyptologist, Mr. Howard Carter, the American tennis player. Miss Elizabeth Ryan, Lady Bateman, many distinguished people and a number of children. The latter were thrilled at the dramatic end to the luxury cruise. When the Aquitania grounded the 1540 passengers, assured that there was no danger, watched the efforts of the tugs until darkness fell, when the ship was a brilliant spectacle lighted from stem to stern, Many changed into evening clothes for dinner and afterwards danced. When it was finally decided that there was no hope of refloating her before the morning, the passengers decide> to leave by tenders. The crew throughout the night was engaged in lightening the ship. OPPORTUNITY PASSES Vessel Still Aground (Received April 11, 9.20 p.m.) London, April 11. At 3 p.m. the Aquitania was still aground. High tide, the most favourable opportunity for refloating her, passed. The Aquitania is a 4.5,647-ton steel quadruple screw vessel built in 1914 by J. Brown and Co., Ltd., Clydebank, for the Canard Steam Ship Company, Ltd.