SUNKEN ATHENIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1939, Page 8

SUNKEN ATHENIA

ESTIMATES’ OF DEATH-ROLL [by CABLE PRESS ASSN. COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, September 5. It is understood that 257 passengers and members of the crew of the Athenia. are missing from a total of 1418, comprising 1103 passengers and a crew of 315. Two rescue ships, carrying 400 suivivors from the Athenia, arrived at Greenock, on the Clyde, this morning, 437 were landed at Galway,, in Ireland, and more than 300 in Britain. The State Department at Washington announces that the American steamer City of Flint has on board more than 200 survivors from the Athenia. It was reported earlier that the City of Flint was carrying only eight survivors. This seems to indicate that the total number of fatal casualties is about 60. The London correspondent of the Associated Press of America, places the Athenia’s death-roll at 44, after compiling. reports from rescuers and listing 1374 survivors. EYE-WITNESS’S STORY. Ari eye-witness on board the Southern Cross told a graphic story of the rescue. ‘‘We received an SOS at 9 p.m. and we reached the Athenia about 2.3 a.m. The merchantman Knud Nelson was already standing by and had rescued all she could. Lifeboats with .flares dotted the sea and desperate shouts for help came from all directions. “There was a heavy swell. We saved about 100 under great difficulties. A lifeboat turned turtle when nearing us. A man on top of the keel dragged some others from the water. Another lifeboat swamped near our bow, but all hands were engaged in hauling on board survivors from another life-boat, and we were helpless to save its occupants. “The lifeboats were crammed and many were filling with water. The people sat waist deep in water. The crew were marvellous and the passengers heroic. The Knud Nelson saved 800 and a destroyer 2(10, making probably 300 missing. A large school of whale plunged round the boats. “Many women pulled oars along with the men from eight to 10 hours. Some * were black with grease and penniless, but they were still able to smile?’ •

STATEMENT IN COMMONS LONDON, Sept. 6. Mr. Churchill, in the Commons, said that 125 are still missing from the Athenian The submarine came to the surface, aTter torpedoing, and fired a shell, which exploded on the deck. The disaster might be of greater magnitude than was earlier reported. It is now clearly established that the disaster was due to a submarine attack, which was made without warning at 7.45 p.m., British standard time, on. September 3. The Athenia was unarmed. Twelve eye-witnesses swore affidavits, that the submarine cruised round the sinking ship. It is possible that some of . those not accounted for were aboard the Southern Cross. NEW ZEALAND SURVIVORS LONDON, September 6. It is officially stated that among the survivors of thQ Athenia, landed in Galway, is Mrs. Claire E. Parker, of New Zealand. Mr. Tomlinson, of Wellington, landed in Galway. There is no news of the whereabouts of Mrs. Tomlinson. ( .The Irish Government list of those rescued by the Knud Nelson, and landed in Galway, numbers over 350. The Canadian Government is taking full charge of the Canadians, and is doing its utmost to alleviate their condition. •