Sinking of Empress of Britain

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 271, 4 November 1940, Page 8

Sinking of Empress of Britain

SURVIVOR’S STORY RUGBY, Nov. 1. . Survivors from the Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Britain, which was destroyed at sea by enemy air action, have now given details of the scenes when the ship was struck by a bomb. A woman passenger said: “I was jurt coming out from the breakfast room, which was about four or five decks-; down, just under water level, when the bomb fell. We were against the outside wall of the ship, and we lay down, as ordered. Fumes began to come through—phosphorous fumes from an incendiary bomb. The air became veryl foul, and we got up. “Our lives were saved by an old steward, who must have , been about 65 years of age. He got a torch from somewhere and led us through the. back of the ship through the fumesj and smoke. We got out to the boat-! deck and were very glad to get some] fresh air. “The women were told to go first, down the ropes over the side cf thej ship, and I was very lucky. I skinned my hands going down the rope, but got straight into a boat. “There were only four children on board, but they were particularly good. A baby nine months old was strapped! on the back of a sailor, who went down] the rope with it into the boat, and thej child never cried.” Of the 643 passengers and crew of the Empress of Britain, a total of 5981 were rescued.