ARMAGH WRECKED

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11705, 18 December 1923, Page 8

ARMAGH WRECKED

AGROUND NEAR LIVERPOOL .VESSEL, BREAKS IX HALF AS TIDE RECEDES. NO DIVES LOST. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. TaUeram. LOX'DOX, December 16. * The liner Armagh, when leaving Liverpool for Brisbane, grounded on the revetment near the Crosby light last evening. Later she broke her back, and is now a total wreck. The crew landed at Liverpool. STOWAWAYS OX BOARD. (Received December 17, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. The Armagh grounded within an hour of leaving Liverpool. Attempts by a flotilla of steamers and tugs to refloat her were unavailing, and as the tide receded her back broke, and the after- • part settled in considerable depth in the channel. The crew, numbering 102. a few passengers, and also five stowaways, who made their appearance after the grounding, were taken off without the slightest sign of panic. "YES, WE ARE^ LEAVING—” SAILORS’ CHEERFUL SONG. STORY OF THE WRECK. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 17, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 17. A hundred seamen, three passengers, and five stowaways, singing: ‘’Yes, we are leaving the Armagh” to the tune of “Yes, we have no Bananas,” stood huddled on the forecastle of the liner after her back broke on the Mersey sandbank. Half the crew had sat down to tea when a grinding, grating sound was heard, and the vessel came to a standstill. All rushed on deck, and donned lifebelts, while they tested every ex- . pedient to get the ship afloat. Fortunately the sea was smooth, though the ebb tide made it impossible for the tugs to reach the ship. While those aboard were waiting, the liner’s back broke with a orash, throwing everyone to the ’’dock. ’’ The funnel bent, and the wireless snapped. Fortunately the electric dynamo continued to function, so the ship was not plunged in darkness. When it was seen that the Armagh was domed her jolly boat carried all to the ‘ifeboats, which carried the men to a tug. The first to leave were the passengers, who went down the side of the ship on a Jacob’s ladder formed by the sailors. When the sailors reached the Liverpool landing stage it wae three in the morning. They were taken to the Sailors’ Home, and many later came to their homes in London. UNION COMPANY’S SHIP. j The Armagh, which is owned by the | Union Steam Ship Company, is a ves-! nel of 12,269 tons. She is, in fact, the largest of the Union Company’s vessels, ’having only a limited passenger accommodation. Her engines are capable of 8300 horse-power. Her commander at the..time of the mishap was Captain Vint. The vessel is well-known in New Zealand water®, and left Auckland on September 27th last after loading at the principal ports, including Wellington. During the almost unprecedented storm in October last the Armagh failed to clear the Wellington Heads, and was severely buffeted while' turning back. She arrived in Liverpool from Auckland via New York and Boston on November 18th.