ITALIA’S CREW

Southland Times, Issue 20539, 16 July 1928, Page 7

ITALIA’S CREW

RESCUE BY KRASSIN SURVIVORS ATTRACTED BY SIREN ENCAMPED ON ICE-FIELD (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Moscow, July 13. Professor Samilovitch, who is in command of the Krassin, reports that when three miles from Viglieri’s camp they saw the remains of an aeroplane and then a red tent. The Italians replied to the Krasein’s siren's deafening shrieks with smoke signals. He said: “We drew close to the icefield on which the Italians had camped. They heartily embraced us when we climbed down our ladders to reach them. They declared that all their hopes were pinned on the Krassin, but they did not expect us so quickly. The names of the rescued are Ceccioni, Vigiieri and Biagi. All are well except Ceccioni. who has a broken leg, but his condition is not serious.”—Australian 'Yess Association. TWO OTHERS PICKED UP. London, July 13. The Krassin rescued Cap.ain Sora on July 8, and the sledge-driver, Vandongen. A Moscow message says "all Viglieri's. party are well except one, who has a broken leg. —Australian Press Association. RESCUED BY SWEDISH PLANE. DOGS KILLED FOR FOOD. (Rec. 5J p.m.) London, July 14. Advices from King's Bay state that Sora and Vandongen were overjoyed to be saved. Immediately they saw the areoplanes they waved to the pilots who after the rescue wirelessed the captain of the Krassin, who broadcasted the good news. Both the rescued men suffered great hardships and were compelled to kill five of their nine dogs. They lived on the flesh for a fortnight. Sora was most exhausted. Sora and Vandongen arrived at King’s Bay by the Swedish aeroplane Uppland and the Finnish aeroplane Tarkj respectively. It appears that they were rescued from Foyn Island by Swedish airmen, not the Krassin as earlier reported. It is recalled that Sora and Vandongen left there with the Danish engineer Vanning in order to search for Malmgren, Mariano and Zappi. During the trek Vanning became ill and remained behind, while Sora and Vandongen went on. They are now rescued. It is presumed that the Krassin’s newly rescued men are the chasseurs whose signals were seen when the Krassin was approaching Viglieri's party.—Australian Press Association—United Service. HARDSHIPS OF WALKING PARTY. TEN DAYS ON ICE-BLOCK. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Moscow, July 14. Zappi states that everybody suffered from shock when the Italia's* gondola crashed. He himself was laid up for three days. Malmgren gave up the struggle a fortnight after the walking party started. The others encountered huge hummocks and patches of open water and were unable to make further progress. Food became exhausted three days later. They remained on an ice-block for ten days and had given up hope until they saw Chuknovsky’s aeroplane and heard the Krassin’s siren. Next day they were moved to tears. Malmgren entrusted Zappi with a pocket compass to be given to the former’s mother as a souvenir.—Australian Press Association—United Service.