TERRIFIC IMPACT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18844, 6 April 1931, Page 8

TERRIFIC IMPACT.

LINER CRUSHED BY BIG , WARSHIP. United Press Association— By Electric Tel egraph—Copyrl ght (Received April 5, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 4. The Florida's death roll totals thirty. The tragedy was due to a minor mischance. One of the nineteen British seaplanes participating in manoeuvres made a forced landing in the sea and H.M.S. Glorious, which was mothering the ’planes, was rushing to the rescue at thirty knots an hour when, in a slight mist, the Florida, steaming at seventeen knots an hour, loomed up immediately ahead and, before the course could be altered, they met in a terrific crash. The bows of the Glorious were wedged in a gaping hole in the Florida's port bow, crushing one hold to the centre line and killing immigrants in that part of the ship. A Spanish nurse aboard the Florida gave a graphic account of the disaster. She says that the impact was so violent that the Glorious’s bows completely pierced the hull. If Bhe had struck amidships none of the 600 on board could have been saved. Indescribable confusion and panic broke out among the Florida's passengers, but finally calm was restored, although the Florida was apparently in danger of immediate sinking. Planks were laid down connecting the Florida’s deck with the flying-deck of the Glorious. Eye-witnesses pay a tribute to the discipline on H.M.S. Glorious and the commendable courage of the officers and crew of the Florida. Ordinary Seaman Bicker, who was look-out on the Glorious, was crushed to death at his post. It is believed that some of those missing were thrown overboard by the impact. VICTIMS NOT ALL IDENTIFIED. MANY BADLY MUTILATED. United Press Association—By Eleetrio Telegraph—Copyright (Received April 5. 11.45 p.m.) LONDON. April 5. All the bodies have not yet been extricated from the Florida. It is impossible to identify many of those who were mutilated. The Glorious has been ordered toremain at Gibraltar until the responsi- { bility for the accident has been estabI lished.