HULK OF METAL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11826, 6 January 1933, Page 5

HULK OF METAL

■ ■—~~—- FRENCH LUXURY LINER -A BURNED IN THE CHANNEL ‘ (U.P.A. hv Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received -lan. 5, 7-20 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. According to Cherbourg messages, 211 survivors of. the French luxury finer L’Afclantique, which was abandoned afire off tbo Casquets ' in.'the English Channel, have arrived there aboard four steamers. Newspaper pictures show the liner ! listing at an angle of 45 degrees, belching smoke from bo.w to stern, with tongues of flame leaping skyward in a dozen placet, while drifting in the direction of Cherbourg. The spectacle recalled ✓the monster brazier, whence arose the first smoke screen. The officers and crew made the pluckiest fight, hut Captain. Sehoffs ultimately w% forced to order abandonment. Tugs gathered from all directions and attempted to get the pumps to work, hut the heat .was so terrific that it was impossible to remain alongside.

Out of £2,000,000 insurance, about £1,250,000 is held in the London market, but. the risk is spread over i a large number of underwriters. Within 15 hours of the nightwatchman’s discovery that a fitst-class cabin was on fire, the L’Atlantiqub was reduced to a smouldering hulk of twisted metal. At first it was hoped there would be no loss of life, hut the arrival of the rescue steamer revealed that 20 to 30 of the crew are missing. Captain Sehoffs stuck to the ship till the last possible moment and then jumped into the sea. He was rescued by the Achilles. RAPID SPREAD OF. FLAMES Captain Sehoffs stated that the alarm was sounded at 3.30 in the morning. The officers thought that the flames could he extinguished without calling assistance, hut the; fire spread very rapidly owing to the. inflammable nature 01 the fittings, and in two or three hours, was out of control. When they tried to call help, the wireless cabin was full of smoke, and’ the operator was half-aspEyxiated arid unable to use the instrument. Only, one faint mutilated signal was received ashore.

The order to abandon the ship was given at 6.30. One of the large lifeboat's capsized while it was being lowered and the occupants were thrown into the water, some being rescued, and the rest drowned. Captain Schoff feared that some of the crew were trapped by the flames or rendered unconscious by the smoke. He himself was isolated by flames on the bridge, but managed to get clear before it wa> too late. HULK STILT. AFLOAT

The burning ship was still afloat nc night, burning internally ana wrapped in smoke, rendering approach impossible. An alternative to the foul play Unc-ory is theeonjectnre tbe> fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. SHIPPING CIRCLES ALARMED

French shipping circles are alarmed, at the number of recent- fires. Deputy Rene Richard is demanding than the Government investigate? the susceptibility to fire of one of the finest units or the mercantile marine. The chief engineer of the L Atlantan©" declared that- the precautions wore so complete that fire was impossible. unless deliberately, caused. flames now abating. SHEET DRIFTING TOWARDS ENGLISH COAST.(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) iTLv. Jan. 6, LA-10 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. The burnr-oiu shell of L Atlantique is now drifting towards the English coast. The flames are new abating. Five tugs are awaiting io tow the hulk to Cherbourg. PL FA FOR ENQUIRY. (U.P.A. by Eire. Tel. Copyright) •‘(Roc. Jan. 5. 11 P.m.) PARTS. Jan. 5lntransigennt says:— “An inquiry is necessary since the idea of evil intentions is unavoidable. Too many interests were hampered by the existence of this magnificent vessel.' SEVENTEEN STILL MISSING (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received Jan. 5, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 5. Cherbourg reports that seventeen are missing of the L’Atlaritiques personnel of 225. M. Leon Meyer, the Aliuister of Merchant Marine, announces an immediate inquiry. Engineers at the shipyard irom which the L’Atlantiquo was launched are astonished at the' rapidity of the spread of tho flames. They stress that every known precautionary device wax installed.

The L’Atlahtique, which is reported to have cost- £3,000,000, was the biggest- vessel in -the South American trade, and had 12 decks, one containing branches of leading Paris shops in a “street” which was 450 ft. long.