TAKEN IN TOW

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11827, 7 January 1933, Page 5

TAKEN IN TOW

BURNING FRENCH LINER..

EIRE NEARLY OUT.

(British Official "Wirel&s3.l ■ RUGBY, Jan. 5-

The still burning hull of L’Atlantique, appeared through the mist a few miles off Portland Bill this morning. and crowds watched her slow pro gross as, wreathed in steam and smoke and surrounded by tugs and othe r vessels, she proceeded eastwards. This afternoon the tugs succeeded in taking her in tow, hut it is not yet certain whether she will sink herself or whether a French warship standing by will send her to the bottom if the liner threatens to become a danger

to shipping. This evening L’Atiantique was ,15 miles south of the Needles, , and was moving westward with the turning tide, while the lire seemed almost to have burnt itself out. Airmen who have flown over her say that the three funnels are intact, hut the foremast i ;s broken and droops over the water, while the rest of her is mainly a tangle of burnt or burning debris. The owners state that 21 men are missing, although it is still hoped that some of these may have been picked up. It is understood that Lloyd’s underwriters are preparing to meet their commitments on the French liner today. It is stated' that the sum involved so far as the English insurance market is concerned is about £1,200.000. hut, although the loss is one of the largest of recent- years, the underwriters are facing it quite calmly.

FRANCE PERTURBED. “BLACK SERIES OF DISASTERS.” (U.P.A- by Elec. To). Copyright) z PARIS, Jan. o. The whole of France is asking what is the mysterious hand behind the black series of disasters in France’s proudest merchantmen. The M inister for Marine has ordered that a stringent inquiry should be held and has personally bidden the crew to hide nothing “in the interests of humanity.’’ BOUND FOR HAVRE. point in salvage law. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) PARIS, Jan. -5. Because the .salvage law entitles Britain to one-quarter of L’Atlantiqlie's value if the vessel is beached in England. British, Dutch and three French tugs are towing her to Le Havre, where she may be sunk. Captain Setoffs. and the chief officer and 15 men departed to meet the convoy. The inquiry will open in Cherbourg.