CABLE NEWS
A MARINE TRAGEDY. STEAMER BURNED IN HARBOR. 123 LIVES LOST. HEROISM OF CAPTAIN AND CREW. United Pkess Association. Copyeight LONDON, Nov. 25. Tho steamer Sardinia, from Liverpool to Alexandria, with 200 passengers, caught fire off Malta. Many jumped overboard 1 and were drowned, being chiefly Levantines and Maltese.
(Received Nov. 26, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 26. The Sardinia belonged to the Eller-man-Fapyenni line. Her commander, Captain Litter, perished. He stuck to his post throughout. When the fire damaged the steam steering apparatus he went and worked the hand-gear,, bringing the vessel’s head round tho headland towards Ricasoli and avoiding the powder magazine at the mouth of the harbor.
Eighteen out of 44 of the Sardinia’s crew, five, including one British, out of 11 ordinary passengers, and 100 out of 140 Moorish pilgrims perished. The vessel had just left tho harbor, and thousands of spectators on shore witnessed the disaster. Energetic assistance was rendered to rescue those on hoard 1 under the supervision of Admirals Curzon,, Howe, and Fisher, by pinnaces, tugs, launches, and strong parties of bluejackets.
The outbreak occurred in No. 2 hold, it is believed, through the pilgrims’ carelessness.
The flames spread with amazing rapidity,enveloping the vessel amidships. The Arabs forward, including many women and children, refused to jump overboard, although urged by numerous boats’ crews, who were unable to approach owing to the high seas. Tiic hatches wore blown off, killing many, mostly Arabs. Everyone in tho engine-room perished. Tho Sardinia circled thrice helplessly. The flames rose 200 feet, with repeated -explosions. Finally, still burning, she -struck the Ricasoli rocks. The Sardinia’s officers and crew and tho naval: parties showed .the utmost heroism throughout. Twenty-seven corpses have been recovered, and 52 persons are under treatment in the hospital. The Duke of Connaught, the Archbishop oml clergy, and the Governor (General 11. F. Grant) and Lady Grant were active in personal kindness to tho survivors.
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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2359, 27 November 1908, Page 5
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319CABLE NEWS Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2359, 27 November 1908, Page 5
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