AQUITANIA ASHORE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1935, Page 5

AQUITANIA ASHORE

END OF LUXURY CRUISE

BANK NEAR SOUTHAMPTON

SALVAGE EFFORTS FAIL

EVACUATION IN HIGH SEA

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Rec. 9.20 p.m. London, April 11. During a gale the liner Aquitania, which was due to dock at Southampton on her return from a Mediterranean luxury cruise, grounded at the entrance to Southampton Water last night. 'At 3 p.m. she was still aground with high tide, the most favourable opportunity for refloating her, past. Nine tugs, including Britain’s most powerful tug, failed to move the Aquitania as she lay on a mudbank throughout tSe night. Attempts will be renewed next high tide.

At first 130 passengers were landed. Later, all excepting 27 of'her passengers, elected to quit the ship by tenders in spite of the 60 miles an hour gale and rough sea. Oil and water were pumped into the barges. The passengers arrived? at London at intervals during the night, being met by relatives and friends, who had been anxiously waiting for hours at Waterloo station.

The passengers included the Egyptologist, Mr. Howard Carter, the American tennis player, Miss Elizabeth Ryan, and Lady Bateman, many distinguished people and a number of children. The latter were thrilled at the dramatic end to the luxury cruise. When the Aquitania grounded the 1540 passengers were assured there was no danger. They watched the efforts of the tugs until darkness fell when the', ship was a brilliant spectacle lighted from stem to stern. Many changed into evening clothes for dinner and afterwards danced'. When it was finally decided that there was no hope of refloating her before the morning the passengers decided to leave by tenders. The crew throughout the night was engaged in lightening ship.