WRECK OFF SCOTLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17909, 11 October 1921, Page 7

WRECK OFF SCOTLAND.

GLASGOW-DUBLIN FERRY.

TWO COLLISIONS IN FOG.

SIXTEEN LIVES LOST. SEVENTY-SEVEN SAVED. , DESTROYER TO RESCUE. By Telesrraph—Press Association—Copyright. 7.30 p.m.) A. arid N 55. LONDON, Oct. 9. The Laird liner Rowan, from Glasgow to Dublin, sank off Aflsa Craig, in the Firth of Clyde, at midnight, after a dramatic double collision. An official message from Glasgow states that there were 93 people aboard the Rowan, of w*hom 77 were saved, including 21 of the crew. Thirteen of the crew are still missing. Tbp first collision took place, in a heavy fog between the Rowan and the American steamer West Cainak. Too latter stood by "ith her forepeak full of water, bnt the- Clan Hnor Clan Malcolm then steamed through the fog and ran into tho dis abled Rowan, which sank. A wireless SOS. brought the destroyer Wrestler and the Burney liner Woodcock to the scene, and they picked up the survivors. 'Jl tho passengers were below when tho first collision occurred. They came on deck prepared to put on their lifeheJts, but found that there was only a sLight list, and the crew were hopeful of making port without assistance. Ten minutes later the Rowan was struck amidshipj by the Clan Malcolm, and crumpled np like matchwood, as one survivor said. She sank within a minute, a huge hole having been torn in her side. went down with the ship, as tiers was no time to launch the boats. It was astonishing that so many rescues we;.-e made. Two of the passengers, inincluding a member of an American jazz band, of which there were 32 coloured members aboard, died after being rescued. The captain of the Rowan went down m:h the ship.

The Clan Malcolm -was answering the Rowan's S O.S. call. The Rowan was in no immediate danger of sinking, and thu crew ware launching lifeboats and serving ont lifebelts wfcen the second collision occurred. The searchlights of the destroyer Wrestler enabled the occupants of her boats to se« the survivors struggling in the water, otherwise the death-roll would have been greater amid the darkness. Several people ware saved by sailors jumping into the water from the destroyer and holding them tjd until they were picked up by boats. The Rowan was a steal screw steamer ! of 1493 tons and was owned by the Laird ; Line, Ltd., of Glasgow. She was buiJt in 1909 by D. and W. Henderson at Glasgow. ' ;