VESSEL STRIKES

Southland Times, Issue 19898, 17 June 1926, Page 7

VESSEL STRIKES

CITY OF NAPLES IN PERIL PERCHED ON CORAL REEF JAPANESE STEAMER ANSWERS S.O.S. MOUNTAINOUS SEAS PREVENT RESCUE? WORK. (By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright.) (Rec. 8.20 p.m.) Tokio, June 16. The City of Naples, bound for Yokohama from Kobe with a cargo of steel struck a submerged reef during a storm. The Chee Foo Maru picked up the S.O.S. while taking refuge from a storm and went to the help of the disabled freighter. It is reported the vessel is half submerged and perched perilously on a coral reef, while the Chee Foo Maru and a Japanese destroyer are standing by. Though mountainous seas prevent effective rescue work, the Chee Foo Maru picked up 15 of the crew who escaped in a lifeboat. The remaining 45 are believed to be safe. —Reuter. FEARS FOR CREW. ATTEMPTS AT RESCUE. (Rec. 10.15 p.m.) Tokio, June 16. A wireless message from the Chee Foo Maru reports that only eight or nine men were seen on the deck of the City of Naples. It is feared the remainder, including the captain, were swept off during the night. Attempts at rescue are being continued but are difficult owing to the high seas. Later. The destroyer Urakaze later reported a group of about 50 astern and are hopeful to effect a rescue as the wind is subsiding. —Reuter.