LOSS OF LINER

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20785, 21 April 1939, Page 7

LOSS OF LINER

SINKS AFTER FIRE SUSPICION OF SABOTAGE PASSENGERS RESCUED (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LE HAVRE, April 20 The liner Paris, badly damaged by the fire on board, sank five minute* after most of the art treasures, designed for the New Y'ork World's Fair, had been brought ashore, and she is now lying on her side in 30 feet of water. Smoke is still belching from the unsubmerged part of the superstructure. Hundreds of tons of water were pumped up during the night. The ship put a terrific strain on the hawsers, which snapped. Nine cases of the art treasures were removed from the vessel, and it is hoped to save the remaining case, which contains five small sculptures. The passengers and art treasures are being taken aboard the Champlain. There were moments of anxiety while rounding up 400 dock employees working aboard the ship. A crane was swung out to rescue three policemen, the last to leave the vessel. Two were swung ashore, but the third dropped in the dock from inid-air and was seriously injured. Victims of tha Flra While one report says it Is officially stated that the only victim of the Are was the boatswain, who fell through a hatch; another says that two of the ship's firemen fell into the hold while fighting the flames. One was killed and the other died later as the result of serious injuries. It is now officially admitted that the Surete Generalc received last Saturday a warning that attempts would be made to sabotage transatlantic liners, and it was feared that the first blow would be against the Normandie, on which the watch was trebled. The warning came from Nice, where a woman overheard a conversation In a hotel detailing p€ans to bomb the liners. The Minister of Merchant Marine, M. Chappedelaine, has arrived for an inquiry into the fire. In spite of official reticence, the press is unanimous that the outbreak is attributable to a foreign Power. The new*spapers pillory the authorities for their watch on ships in port, recalling that this la not an isolated case. Tha Caute a Mystery It is stated that the arrest of an Italian dock worker had nothing to do with the Ylre. The cause of the Are remains a mystery. The sunken ship is obstructing tho entrance to the dry dock in which lies the Normandie. The masts and funnels of the Paris must be out away before the Normandie can be refloated from the dock. It might be possible to refloat the Paris, to which a gangway has already been flung from the dock, but it is believed that she will he written o/T as a total loss, as she is comparatively old. It is understood that the hull is insured for £500,000. More than half is placed in London. It appears that the engine-room and the holds were not affected. WARRANT FOR ARREST AGAINST UNKNOWN PERSON (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tal. Copyright) (Received April 21, 1 p.m.) LE HAVRE, April 20 A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an unknown person, who Is charged with destroying the liner Paris.