A LINER SUNK

Southland Times, Issue 19522, 23 May 1922, Page 5

A LINER SUNK

COLLISION OFF BREST TERRIBLE DISASTER IN FOG NINETY-FIVE PEOPLE MISSING (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 20. The P. and O. steamer Egypt was sunk in collision off Brest during a fog. There were ninety victims. A telegram from Brest states that the Egypt was en route to Bombay when she collided with the cargo steamer Seine at 7.30 on Saturday night in a fog 22 miles north-west of Ushant. Warships were immediately despatched from Brest in response to S.O.S. wireless messages. Thus far French reports state that 95 people are dead. Twenty bodies have been recovered, but it is hoped steamers passing may have picked up some survivors. The Seine, which was badly damaged, has reached Brest, and is now landing . the Egypt’s survivors. Lloyds state that 218 of the crew and 29 passengers were saved. The collision occurred with appalling suddenness when the passengers were dressing for dinner. The fog was intense and it was impossible to see more than a hundred yards round the ship. Tire Egypt sounded the fog-horn incessantly, but the Seine was almost upon the Egypt before she was observed.

The* collision could not have been averted. The Seine was heavily laden and her dead-weight cargo ripped the Egypt’s plate like common tin. The Seine’s bows were stove in, but though in peril of foundering, she stood by and helped in the work of rescue. The captain and officers of the Egypt helped to restore order and discipline among the panic stricken Lascars at the revolver point. The majority of the survivors were in a pitable condition from shock and exhaustion and were nearly naked. The victims include the chief engineer and the doctor. Several vessels near the scene of the collision were ignorant of it owing to the fog. Thirty-eight passengers and 291 crew were aboard the Egypt of whom it is reported that fifteen passengers and eighty of the crew are missing. The rescued include -the captain of the Egypt, who says the disaster was due to fog. The Seine suddenly came into view and struck the Egypt amidships between the funnels. She filled rapidly and sank in twenty minutes. The passengers state that the Lascars became greatly excited and rushed some boats. RESCUES BY THE SEINE. THE COMMANDER’S STORY. LONDON, May 22. (Received May 22, 5.5 p.m.) The Seine rescued 242 survivors. The victims included seven women and two children. The commander of the Seine states that he was steaming at five knots when he suddenly saw the liner looming up through the fog. “She crashed into us and tore away the bow of my vessel, and then disappeared. I could not see her, but only heard terrible cries ring through, the dense fog. “I looked for the other vessel and it took twenty minutes to find her. She was then lying on her side with a great hole in her plates. The air was full of lamentations and heartrending cries. I ordered that all the lifebuoys be thrown into the sea and lowered boats and rescued all it was possible to save.”