LINERS' GRAVE PERIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18861, 8 November 1924, Page 2 (Supplement)

LINERS' GRAVE PERIL.

HURRICANE IN ATLANTIC.

OVER 100 PEOPLE INJURED.

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES.

Caught in a hurricane that roared up the American coast,a number of giant ships recently had nevor-to-be-fprgott,en experiences in the Atlantic. The most sensational ordeal was that of the White Star liner Arabic, which limped into New York harbour severely damaged and with 70 casualties among her passengers and crew.' Other storm-twisted vessels also sought the nearest refuge, bringingtales of trying experiences, some even reporting loss of life. At New York alone over 100 injured were put ashore froitn various craft. Following the arrival of the Arabic, Homeric, Giuseppi Verdi, and smal ler vessels, the streets near the docks presented an appearance not seen since the Carpathia took tho Titanic's survivors into port in April, 1912. Fortunately tho Berengaria, in which tho Prince of Wales was travelling, escaped the fury of the storm.

The Arabic, of 18,000 tons, formerly a North German Lloyd vessel, was on a voyage from Hamburg and Cherbourg by way Of Halifax. Most of those aboard her be*

tween the latter port and New York were | immigrants, but many Americans were included among the company. When the liner reached hor destination she had a heavy list to starboard, caused by the shifting of cargo, which the crew were working feverishly target back into place. Most of the starboard lifeboats w fire miss-! ing. The Arabic had sent wireless "mes.-; sages for ambulances to meet her j arid eight persons wwe rushed off to hospital • without delay. "Altogether 35 passengers and 17 of the injured, Jwhile a score of others were slightly hurt and did not require medical attention. N<> British people, apart from members, of 'the crew, f were among the casualties. The niost serious case was Paul Carney", firertian, of. ■Liverpool, whose spine was fractured.

Influence of Music. From the accounts of those on board the ship ,a 100-mile-an-hour wind sprang up suddenly, and the Arabic was buffeted in mountainous seas. The skipper, Captain Hickson, reported that a huge wave struck the liner on the starboard side abaft the bridge and threw about 100 ' screaming women, men and children into a heap in a corner of the main lounge. Mixed with them were articles of furniture, paintings, tapestries and large pieces of glass om broken portholes. The flood rushed ryer the deck, sweeping all before it, crus'u'.ig lifeboats, twisting iron stanchions, and virtually filling every cabin of the two upper decks. The passengers had afterwards to sle;>p on tables and in deck chairs. Sevr'iiil hair-breadth escapes were recorded., Two women on deck were swept off their feet and wore half over the rail when they

were dragged back. Another woman in a deek chair was actually over the rail when a steward caught her by the hair and pulled her back. T. H. Owen,.' a deck steward, was swept overboard, but the next wave threw him back to the deck.

100 Kile an Hov Wind. In the height of the storm a semi-panic reigned on all decks, .and it is alleged that some of the male passengers needed rough treotrnont before they could be auieted. Three gigantic waves hit the Arabic in rapid succession, carrying her almost on to her beam ends,.and she took three minutes before righting. In tho midst of the confusion. an heroic woman calmly played tho piano and spng in 'the ship's lounge, thereby quietening the passengers. Speed was reduced to half for the remainder of tho trip, owing to fear that engines might be damaged,

As the sca-water contaminated, . tho ship's fresh supplies passengers bad to use fruit juices and bottled water# uptil port was reached. The highest- praise • was bestowed upon the crew, passengers declaring that their behaviour . was a splendid example of bravery, and unselfishness. "They gave no thought for themselves," stated one traveller, "and obeyed orders with the utmost coolness and officicncy. I never imagined "such discipline could prevail on a passenger steamer," he added. Ihe White Star liner Homeric, which encountered tho storm off Nantucket, had seven first-class passengers injured, lost a lifeboat, j.nd had oil her portholes smashed.