“Deplorably Inadequate Warning”

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6866, 24 May 1932, Page 7

“Deplorably Inadequate Warning”

LIFEBOAT BALED WITH HATS INCIDENTS OF THE PHILLIPAR DISASTER United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 22. A British survivor of the Phillipar disaster emphasises the deplorably inadequate warning of the fire, of which his first intimation was the smoke and flames bursting into his cabin. He and his wife found places in. a boat, the seams of which leaked until the soaking closed them. The occupants had to bale the water out with their hats. The ordeal was prolongedMiy the unsuitability of the food aboard the Mahsud, in the intense heat of the latitude,' which brought the pitch bubbling from the seams of the steamer’s deck. Mysterious Alarms

FIREFIGHTING APPARATUS DEFECTIVE. Received Monday, 9.50 p.m. PARIS, May 23. ' Captain Vicq’s supplementary report discloses that the electric alarm communicating with the bullion room mysteriously sounded for the first time eight days before the disaster and for the second time half an hour before the fire. The officers immediately inspected the bullion on both occasions and found no signs of tampering. Captain Vicq adds: "Somo of the fire fighting apparatus curiously was proved to be empty when the fire started.” Captain Vicq inspected all the first and second-class cabins that were accessible before leaving the ship but found nobody. He spent the whole morning superintending the rescue ot the survivors.