MOSSAMEDES DISASTER

Southland Times, Issue 18929, 1 May 1923, Page 5

MOSSAMEDES DISASTER

RESCUING THE PASSENGERS. A BRAVE CHIEF OFFICIER, (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) CAPETOWN, April 29. Mystery surrounding the Mossamedes was dispelled by the arrival of a Portuguese gunboat at Port Mossamedes with 110 survivors, while 84 others landed at Port Alexandre. The French gunboat Cassiopee also picked up 33. The chief officer states that the vessel struck the rocks in a dense for three hundred yards from shore on the morning of April 24. It was pitch dark, with a rough sea. The passengers were all asleep and panic ensued. By the efforts of the captain and officers the confusion soon subsided. When dawn broke the passengers were huddled on deck, but notwithstanding wireless calls there was no sign of help. The boats were quickly provisioned and lowered, the women and children being taken first. When the fourth boat was being launched the tackle gave way, and all the accupants were flung into the sea, seven being drowned. The chief officer, Paulino, plunged into the sea and rescued thirteen. The captain remained with the ship till two in the afternoon, when he decided to abandon it. As there was no chance of the. boats landing owing to the heavy surf, they proceeded in a northerly direction and suffered much before they were rescued from intense heat in the daytime and bitter cold at night. The Government authorities and residents at Mossamedes are doing their utmost for their comfort, the. Government building being placed at their disposal.