THE CHANNEL DISASTER

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 51

THE CHANNEL DISASTER

A SOLITARY SURVIVOR. RUGBY, February 26. . Late last night the Russian cadet sailing ship Tovarisch, badly damaged, was towed into Southampton carrying one survivor of a crew of 21 of the Italian steamer Alcantara, with which she collided in a fog between Hastings and Folkestone.

A. lifebuoy, marked Alcantara, to which was lashed a dead body, was picked up last night near Dungeness. An empty. lifeboat of the Italian ship and two lifebuoys have also been washed ashore near Rye Harbour. It appears that assistance for the ships was delayed by an unfortunate misunderstanding. The commander of the coastguard station at Sandgate says that he received an S.O.S. from the Russian vessel ni S ht - and he telephoned to the lifeboats at Dungeness and Rye Harbour to proceed to the scene. The S.O.S. was followed almost immediately, however, by a wireless message from the Russian vessel to the effect that she was all right and not in need of help. This gave the impression that al] was well, and the coastguard commander had no idea that the Italian ship had gone down. Eater the Peninsular and Oriental liner Moldavia sent a message stating that she had seen wreckage bearing the name Al Then immediately lifeboats from both Dungeness and Rye Harbour put out to find only the wreckage of the Alcantara, and no sign of the survivors.

THE SURVIVOR’S STORY. . LONDON, February 26. Giovanni Favon, an engineer of the Alcantara, and the sole survivor was found gazing at the battered Tovarisch. He said: “It was dark There was a stiono; breeze, and the engines were reduced to seven and a-half knots, when the chief engineer came down and said that the captain had ordered him to stand by because there was terrible danger. A tremendous crash followed, accompanied by groans and curses. The chief engineer sooted: *AU hands on deck.’ I rushed a P’ ", was P!tch dark, but there was no fog. The Alcantara reeled I saw the stem of the Tovarisch wedged in the starboard quarter. I ran to the engine room stairs, vainly calling my mate. Two tremendous reports denoted the explosion of the boilers I grapsed the Tovarisch’s owspnt chain. The Alcantara sank in mu e ™ ltlu ! es - A Russian hauled me up. the Tovarisch’ played a searchlight on the lowered boats.” .

RUSSIAN CAPTAIN’S STATEMENT. LONDON, February 27. Captain Friedman, commander of the Tovarisch, in a statement, says that when tfie Baron Dougias came alongside in re spouse to the 5.0.5., he explained that tne lovanscb was in no danger. He also broadcasted a similar message. The Baron Douglas went off presumably to render assistance. The Tovarisch, in response to la ter messages asking the reasons why the ~ was , sent out > replied: “S.O.S. clear,. applying only to themselves. The .Tovarisch was unable to manoeuvre to render assistance because she was a sailing vessel. The Tovarisch was travelling at six knots and a-half. It was about half an hour before she slowed up and launched her boats.

INQUEST ON THE VICTIMS. . LONDON, February 28. Giving evidence-at the Alcantara inquest, the captain of the Tovarisch declared that the Alcantara struck his ship on the port side. Asked how the Alcantara s lantern was found hanging on his bowsprit, he said that the bowsprit must have hit the Alcantara’s foremast. Asked why he did not launch the lifeboats, he said that he did not realise that the Alcantara was sinking. He had to consider the safety of his men. The Coroner, in giving a verdict of drowning, owing tq collision at sea, said that he was not satisfied that the Russians by any means did all they should have done to help the men drowning under their very noses. It was incomprehensible why nothing was done to save their lives.

The fires in the Hawke’s Bay district, which reached within three miles of the township, have subsided, and the settlers .have returned to their homes. The estimate that over 1000 sheep were destroyed has been confirmed.