BACK AT KING'S BAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16704, 23 July 1928, Page 7

BACK AT KING'S BAY

THE ITALIA'S SURVIVORS A TOUCHING REUNION (United Service.) KING3B BAY, July 21. A copyright message states that the ice breaker Krassin anchored after an hour's difficult,manoeuvring;* "The deck displayed bunting, and the Bed Soviet flags were at the mastheads. Commander Romagna boarded the ship and 15 minutes' suspense ensued. Then a pinnace sped towards the Citta di Malino, the crew shouting excitedly as it identified the survivors. When the name of Professor Bekoumek, the Czecho-Slovakian scientist, was called, his sister broke down sobbing, and several sailors cried like children. The engineer, Ceccioni, who had been described as dead, came stoutly aboard on crutches, scorning the sailors' proffered assistance. General Nobile, on deck, very pale and obviously ill, watched the scene with burning eyes. He picked up his crutches, embraced and patted Cession! on the back, and then resumed his scat. Lieut. Viglieri, tall, lean and weary, approached, and stood at attention before he shook hands with his leader. Viglieri, having greeted his chief amidst tense silence, Professor Bekouniek rushed up with a jovial smile, exclaiming: "Here I am back from my holidays." He turned to comfort his sister as she threw herself sobbing on his breast. Lieutenant Biagi, pale and emaciated, kissed General Nobile without saying a word. ; ' Commander Zappi, almost unrecognisably gaunt, followed, and then came Professor Trojani, in Russian clothes, leggins and an airman's, badge. The Krassin's crew was wonderfully kind, clothing and comforting the'castaways. They even gave them a fountain pen apiece to write to their relatives. Commander Mariano, whose foot had to be amputated, boarded the Citta di Milano by a motor launch later. An Italian cinematographer, grasping a heavy camera tripod, unexpectedly fell into the sea and sank thrice before he was rescued, still gripping his apparatus, amid hysterical laughter. The survivors spent hours in their cabins reading family letters and hundreds of messages from Italy. The Krassin landed the remains of the Italia's control cabin and many .objects found at tjie camp, including the famous red tent and the wireless set to which the survivors owe their lives, and the broken framework of Lieut. Lundborg's seaplane, all of which will be shipped to Italy to be preserved as sacred mementoes.