STRUCK UNCHARTED ROCK

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1934, Page 7

STRUCK UNCHARTED ROCK

SINKING OF LINER DRESDEN

FOUR LIVES LOST IN WRECK

OFFICERS DENY r ANY” PANIC

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUIRY"

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.

Rec. 10 p.m. London, June 22. Four lives were lost when the German liner Dresden, after going aground near Bukn Island during a cruise, was beached in . sinking condition near Karmo. The vessel was abandoned, the captain wirelessing that he was the last to leave. The vessel sank later and h is feared that she will be a total loss. A Stavanger message states that after a night of terror the Dresden survivors are resting in schools, barracks and coastal cottager. Three of the 15 injured during the stampede have been sent to hospital. The survivors, who declared that the passengers were ordered not to discuss the .'.isaster, said that inundation of three holds and the boiler-room of the liner followed a sudden shock. The lights went out and there was a panicstricken rush for the lifeboats. The first lifeboat with 20 women capsized and the second is also believed to have Upset. The officers ./orked gallantly to restore order until rescue vessels arrived. The German liner Stuttgart has left for Stavanger to pick up the stranded passengers. A Berlin message says that the North Germany Lloyd officially states that evacuation of the Dresden was completely orderly except for the occupants of one boa., who fell into the water. The stewards rescued all, even two women not wearing lifebelts. The North German Lloyd Company later disclosed that two women lost their lives as a result of the Dresden wreck. Two passengers have been too seriously injured to be moved. An earlier statement asserted that the women were not drowned but died of. heart failure aboard the rescuing Norwegian steamer. It is understood that strong winds and currents drove the Dresden on to the rocks.

Officers of, the Dresden gave evidence at the inquiry that there was no panic. They said the ship’s orchestra played throughout the rescue work. The officers believe the vessel struck an uncharted reef.