TRYING ORDEAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 255, 9 August 1937, Page 5

TRYING ORDEAL

GIRLS INJURED IN COLLISION. EXCURSION STEAMER DAMAGED. SERIOUS DISASTER AVERTED. SAVED BY PUSHING AGROUND. iUmted Presß Association—Copyright./ (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) ‘ LONDON, August 8. Four girls were jamnujl at the head of the fore saloon when the cross-Chan-nel steam Princess Marie Jose, with 750 excursionists from Dover, collided with the steamer Clan Mac Neil, off Dunkirk. The girls bravely bore three-quarter 9 of an hour’s ordeal of extrication from the wreckage by seamen with crowbars, and; were sent ashore first in a tug which came alongside, and were sent to hospital at Dunkirk, where two 'had their right legs amputated below the knee. The third sustained a fractured leg and injury to her foot and arm. The fourth sustained abrasions. Many other passengers were shaken, bruised and injured. The girls were sleeping when the collision occurred and were washed from their beds by the inrush of water. They lost all their possessions. The Clan Mac Neil struck the Marie Jose amidships in a slight fog, and smjashed her sides below the water line. The sea rushed in, causing a temporary panic among the passengers. The Clan Mac Neil went full speed ahead, pushing the Marie Jose aground, instead of allowing her to sink.