PILGRIM STEAMER SINKS

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 28

PILGRIM STEAMER SINKS

700 PEOPLE IMPERILLED. ’ BERNE, February 18. A steamer with 700 pilgrims aboard sank while approaching a landing stage on Lake Como. The majority of the pilgrims were saved, but, many were injured, between 20 and 30 seriously. The number of dead has not yet been ascertained. BISHOP S NOTABLE WORK. , BERNE, February 19. The Pilgrim steamer conveyed the famous relic, the head of Saint Aloysius. Many church and civic dignitaries ami religious societies bearing banners were aboard. Huge crowds, including the entire local garrison, thronged the shore awaiting the arrival of the sacred relic. The crowd ashore saw the stern awash, and started the cry “She sinks,” but the people aboard chanting hymns and prayers did not hear the warning tilßthe vessel was close to the jetty. • Ropes were cast ashore and the vessel moored. Then a terrific scramble ensued. A woman was crushed z by the mob rushing the gangway, and died from her injuries. Many leaped into the lake. Two are dead and one missing. The police express the opinion that the steamer w’as overloaded. The head of the party was Bishop Pagani, who was returning from a visit of homage to the headquarters of St. Aloysius. He did notable work in allaying panic. He made the pilgrims crowd on to the forecastle, thus saving an awful death roll. Bishop Pagani was the last to remain, guarding the relics till, men swam out and brought him and his relics ashore. At present only one body has been found. The engineer alleges that he told the captain the ship was making water, but the captain persisted in making port. The captain has been arrested.