LOSS OF MOSSAMEDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18387, 1 May 1923, Page 7

LOSS OF MOSSAMEDES.

BOOK STRUCK IN FOG.

CAPTAIN SUBDUES PANIC.

HEROIC: CHIEF OFFICER.

By Telegraph— Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. . CAPETOWN. April : 29. The mystery surrounding the wreck of the Portuguese liner . Mossamedes was dispelled by the arrival of a Portuguese ] gunboat at Port Mossamedes with * 110 survivors. . s Eighty-four others landed at Port Alexandre. Portuguese West Africa. The French gunboat Cassiope also picked up 33. : The chief officer, states that the vessel struck rocks in. a dense. fog 300 yds. from the shore on Tuesday morning. It was pitch • dark and - a rough sea was running. The passengers were all asleep arid a panic ensued. . The efforts of the captain and the officers gradually succeeded, and the confusion subsided. When dawn broke the passengers were huddled on deck, but notwithstanding wireless calls there was no sign of help. The . boats were quickly provisioned and lowered, the women and children going first. When the fourth 1 boat , was being launched the tackle gave way and all the occupants were flung into the sea, seven being drowned. - The chief officer (Paulino) plunged into the sea and rescued ; 13. >■ The captain remained with, the ship till two in the afternoon,;, when he decided to abandon it. As there was ho choice of the' boats landing, owing to heavy surf, they proceeded in a northerly: direction, and suffered much before they were rescued by the intense 1 heat) in the daytime and bitter cold at night. The ■ Government authorities and , the residents of Mossamodes . are doing their utmost for their comfort,' and the Government buildings have been placed at their disposal.