STEAMER SINKS ON LAKE COMO

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3538, 21 February 1927, Page 7

STEAMER SINKS ON LAKE COMO

Conveying Pilgrims And Sacred Relic

MANY INJURED, TWO ARE DEAD

[By Electric Cable— Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) BERNE, Feb. 18.

A steamer with 700 pilgrims aboard sank while approaching the landing stage on Lake Como. The majority of the pilgrims were saved, but many were injured, between 20 and 30 seriously. The number of dead is not yet ascertained.

VESSEL SINKS WHEN. MOORED. HEROIC ACTION OF BISHOP. (Received Sunday, ,5.5 p.m.) ... „ BERNE, Fob. 19, The pilgrim steamer conveyed a famous relic—the Head of Saint Aloynius. Many, churches and civic dignitaries and religious societies bearing banners were aboard. . . Huge crowds, including the entire local garrison," thronged the shore awaiting the arrival of the sacred relic. The crowd ashore saw the stern awash and started to cry: "She sinks."’ But the people aboard chanting hymns and prayers did not hear ths warning till the vessel was close to .the jetty. Ropes were cast ashore and the vessel moored. Then there was a terrible scramble. A woman was crushed by the mob rushing the gangway and died, from injuries. Many leaped ipto the lake. Two are dead and one missing. The police express an opinion that the steamer was overloaded. The. head of the party was Bishop Pagani, who was returning from a visit of homage to the headquarters of Saint Aloysius. He did notable work allaying panic. He made pilgrims crowd on to the forecastle thus saving an awful deathroll. Bishop Pagani was the last to remain, guarding the relics till men swam out and brought him and his treasures ashore. At, present only one body has been found. ' „ An engineer alleges be told the captain the ship was making water but thb- captain persisted In making port. The captain has been, arrested.