AQUITANIA ON MUD

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12527, 12 April 1935, Page 5

AQUITANIA ON MUD

HUGE Ufr'Eft AGROUND AT SOUTHAMPTON. END OF LUXURY CRUISE. NINE JUGS FAIL TO SHIFT LEVIATHAN. PASSENGERS LANDED. (U.P.A. by Elbe. Tel. Copyright) (Received Afrril 11, 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. During a gale, the liner Aquitania, which was due to dock at Southampton on her return from a Mediterranean cruise, grounded at the entrance to Southampton Water. Nine tugs, including Britain’s most powerful, failed to budge the Aquitania, which was lying on tho mudbank throughout the night. Attempts will he renewed next high tide. Meanwhile 130 passengers have landed. Oil and water is being pumped out into barges. Later all excepting 27 of the Aqiiitania’s passengers eventually elected to quit the ship by tenders in spite of the sixty miles an hour gale and a rough sea, and arrived at London at intervals during the night, being met by relatives and friends who had been anxiously awaiting for hours at AVaterloo station. The passengers included the Egyptologist Sir Howard Carter; the American tennis player, Aliss Elizabeth Ryan; Lady Bateman, many distinguished people and a number of children. The latter were thrilled at the dramatic end to luxury cruise. When the Aquitania grounded the 1540 passengers on board were assured there was no danger and watched the efforts of the tugs until darkness fell when the ship was a brilliant spectacle lighted from steam to stem. Many changed into evening clothes for dinner and afterwards danced. When it- was finally decided that there was no hope of refloating the liner before the morning the passengesr decided to leave by tenders. The crew throughout the night were engaged in lightering the ship. Later. At 3 p.m. the Aquitania was -still aground. High tide, the most favourable opportunity for refloating her, has passed.