The Sinking of the Zamzam

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 124, 27 May 1941, Page 4

The Sinking of the Zamzam

Received Alondav, 7.00 p.m. LONDON, May 26. The British United Press Biarritz correspondent says Mr. J. V. Alurphy, one of the survivors of the Zamzam who is also one of the editors of the American magazine Fortune, vividly described the sinking of the vessel. He says: “We were four days from Capetown just before dawn on April 7 when nine shells hit her. Captain Smith attempted to signal but the ship’s blinker was shattered and he ordered the Egyptian flag to be unfurled, grabbed a handtorch and b-gan signalling himself. “The firing ceased but nine persons were badly wounded aud man yothers hurt. There was utter confusion aboard. A number of men, women and children swam round in the water for over twenty minutes before being picked up. Fortunately the sea was calm. Alembers of the American Ambulance Brigade dived overboard and towed pieces of floating wreckage to the women and children to help them float. “Everyone was taken aboard the raider by 7.30 a.m. The raider’s captain expressed regret about the shelling. Next day all except two wounded Americans and one wounded Englishman were transferred to a merchantman whose captain was not so polite and declared in English: ‘lf there is any monkey business we will answer with machine-guns.’ “The survivors were aboard the merchantman for 33 days before they were landed at St. Jean de Luz. ”