THE EGYPT DISASTER.

Grey River Argus, 29 May 1922, Page 5

THE EGYPT DISASTER.

THE LASCARS’ RUSH FOR BOATS. HAVELOCK WILSON’S VIEWS. (Received May 28, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. Mr Havelock Wilson, Seamen's Union secretary, interviewed, said the only knowledge that the Lascars ran amok in connection with the Egypt disaster had come from the newspapers, but the fact would be revealed at the Bo: rd of Trade inquiry. The view of his union (the Sailors' and Firemen’s Union'J was that “Safety First” should applj riJ s, ' a :1S 0,1 was utterly impossible to get effective beat crew drill from men of mixed nationalities. It was utterly useless to expect the orders of officers to be conveyed to an alien crew in an emergency- A Lascar crew were all very well on the coast of India, but were very unreliable in cold climates. Such crews should be employed on the seas where they wert* recruited. The Egypt’s survivors have returned to London. There were affecting scenes at Victoria Station when they met their relatives. The survivors confirmed the reports that when the collision occurred the Lascars took panic and rushed the boats. Professor Turnbull asserts that he saw one boat crammed with Lascars, and another half-full containing Lascars only. Captain Carr of the Egypt, states the Lascars got out of hand and rushed the boats. One boat got away filled with Lascar firemen. Practically the last boat was being launched, when he drew his revolver jumped into the boat waist deep in water and made the Lasers return to the ship, while the women jot.-on board. None of the Lascars fired shots and they had no revolvers. It vas a very lively 10 minutes. Mrs Turnbull said that the Lascars >vere perfectly dreadful. They rushed :hc boats like madmen, and but for :he L i-<-ars they would probably have >(»t away peacefully. The officers of he Egypt were magnificent. The wonen behaved very bravely and jumped nto the water fearlessly.