LOSS OF THE AFRIQUE

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14265, 16 January 1920, Page 5

LOSS OF THE AFRIQUE

A TERRIBLE DISASTER. ONLY 30 SAVED OUT OP 488. GALLANT EFFORTS AT RESCUE

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received January 16, 9.15 a.m. LONDON Jan. 13.

The loss of the Afrique is the biggest disaster in the history of the French* mercantile marine. Thus far only 30 have been saved out of 488, of whom 192 were Senegalese riflemen. Tugs and naval vessels are searching for boats, but owing to the terrible seas running there is little hope of many further survivors being rescued. Survivors narrate how the liner Ceylon came to the Afriquc’s assistance in response to distress signals when the storm was at Ms worst, and was escorting her to port when the Afrique struck the Plateaux of R'ocheborne, a well known reef 50 miles from La Rochelle, two fathoms below the surface. The impact came with-a.'terrific shock. At midnight the ship was plunged into darkness owing to the dynamos failing, and the wireless operator was just able to raise enough power to send out a.despairing S.O.S. The captain', realising that the Afrique was doomed, ordered the boats to be'launched, despite the huge waves. The Ceylon, which has been unable to keep close owing to the seas, wirelessed that she was keeping a parallel course and would meet the Afrique at a given spot at dawn. The Ceylon received the call “5.0.5., we cannot keep afloat till dawn,” followed by another, “We are abandoning the ship.” The Colon closed in and commenced a desperate search in the darkness for boats. She was able to rescue a few, but there was no trace of the Afriaue at daylight. She bad struck the rocks and sank rapidly.