TRAGEDY AT SEA

Southland Times, Issue 22491, 28 January 1935, Page 7

TRAGEDY AT SEA

LINER SUNK

COLLISION OFF NEW

JERSEY

STEERING GEAR FAILS

(United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright.) New York, January 25.

The steamer Mohawk, of 8000 tons, which was under charter to the Ward Line, collided with the Norwegian motor ship Talisman off Seagirt (New Jersey) to-night and sank in half an hour after the 53 passengers and 107 members of the crew had evacuated the vessel in lifeboats. It is believed that all were rescued by the Talisman and two other vessels. , The Mohawk was the property of the Clyde Line and normally in the New York-Texas service. She was making her first New York-Havana-Mexico trip for the Ward Line to replace the Havana, which ran aground at Nassau. The scene of to-night’s crash was near where the Morro Castle, also a Ward liner, was burned. The Talisman, which was en route to Bahia (Brazil) suffered little damage. Steamship officials are unable to explain how the collision occurred.

DEATH ROLL AT 35

PEOPLE THROWN INTO WATER.

GEAR ON LIFEBOATS JAMMED,

(United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.45 p.m.) New York, January 26. The inquiry into the Mohawk disaster opened with a death list which was put at 45. Thirty-five bodies have been recovered and 10 are missing and have undoubtedly perished. It was testified that the collision followed the failure of the Mohawk’s steering gear to function, although it was tested before the vessel left port. The master of the Talisman made the charge that the Mohawk instructed him not to lower lifeboats, although apparently he could have saved several who were thrown overboard. From the testimony it appeared that many died when the lowering apparatus of two of the Mohawk’s lifeboats jammed, throwing the occupants into the frigid water. HORROR OF CRASH SHIP SINKS QUICKLY. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.30 p.m.) New York, January 25. As more accurate information is coming in, the Mowhawk sinking is turned from an unfortunate sea accident into, a ghastly tragedy. The fate of Captain Joseph Wood is not yet determined. The first light on the possible cause of the collision is shed by a seaman who was on the bridge.. He declared that the automatic steering gear suddenly became deranged and the vessel, which was travelling at full speed, swerved. The Talisman ploughed into her. Two seamen were crushed to death on the impact. Rescued passengers told of the horror of the crash and of seeing . people “swimming and screaming in the water.” John Puckhaber, a steward, said the ship dived quickly and was gone half an hour after the crash. At least 32 are known to have perished and 15 others are feared to be lost. Eight of the dead are passengers, including four women. Virtually frozen bodies were recovered from the Atlantic by the searching vessels. One hundred and sixteen were rescued and some bodies were found miles away. Thirty-one bodies have been recovered.