MARINE TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 34, 9 August 1921, Page 7

MARINE TRAGEDY

THE LOSS OF THE ALASKA

FRENZIED PEOPLE LEAP

OVERBOARD

STEAMERS SEARCHING FOR

SURVIVORS.

(UNITE* W.BBS ASSOCIATION.—COPIRIBMT.)

(AUSTRALIAN - fcBW ZEALAND CABLS ASSOCIATION.) NEW YORK, 7th August.

It is reported that one of the frve lifeboats of the Alaska, which struck a reef and sank in a fog off the Californian coast, capsized, and the ocoupants w.ere drowned. Nine bodies have been recovered. ' *

Later telegrams from Eureka, California,, say that full details of the disaster are not available yet. The steamer struck Blunts Reef, off Cape Mendocino, the most westerly point of California, at 10 o'clock on Saturday night, and sank, within fifteen minutes. The vessel carried 240 passengers and orew, and while it is hoped that some may yet be found on life-rafts, it is believed that thirty-six persons yet missing will be among the lost. Two vessels which rushed to the Alaska's aid on receipt of' her wireless call are still standing by looking for lost, people on tiie foggy sea. Tugs from time to time bring ashore, a few dead bodies. Twelve have already been landed. Passengers declare that there were wild scenes on board the Alaska. v As the vessel listed to starboard frenzied people leaped overboard. Men, women, and children piled into lifeboats, so that it was a wonderthat only one of the five boats capsized The wireless operator is believed to ha"c stuck^ to the ship until she foundered. . '

The Alaska pKed between Portland and San TFranciso. Other messages put the number drowned' at. forty-eight.