A NEGLECTEED SEA WARNING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 37, 7 November 1917, Page 8

A NEGLECTEED SEA WARNING

LOSS OF THE CITY OF ATHENS. The steamer City of Athens, from New York, sunk off Capo Town some time agl by a mine, was carrying a full cargo and also 97 passengers, 72 of whom arrived in Cape Town; 15 have been lost and 4 of the crew, who numbered 115, mostly Lascars. Two terrific explosions occurred forward in the afternoon. The launching of tho boats was carried out in a most orderlv manner, women and children receiving the first care. Seven boats got away safely and the City of Athens sank an hour later. The vessel's wireless installation broke down and 6he was unable to sond out signals. Fortunately the denso volumes of smoke were seen from tho shore, and a. salvage tug was immediately sent cat and after a vain search was fcbout to return late at night when it sighted six boats and took on board their <;ccupnnlß. A seventh boat was later found waterlogged with several of her original complement missing. The boat was sighted early in tho morning, but her signals were misunderstood. Shortly afterwards she turned turtle, but all got back safely. Later sho capsized four times, and some were lost on each occasion, although the men did their utmost to assist tlie women and children. The. exhausted survivors were rescued later at night siting waist deep in water. The passengers included American missionaries bound for Central and East Africa to replace German missionaries. , ~ Tbe Court of Inquiry expressed the opinion that the sinking was due to striking a mine or mines. The Court was satisfied the boate were not defeo tive; the loss of life was due to swampl'ng. "The wireless operator,' said the finding, "appears to have been guilty of gross neglect of duty for not recording messages received B.nd not informing the captain. The latter was reprehensible for allowing the operator to take part in decoding the message contrary to instructions." The Court considered the vessel was lost as the consequence of navigating contrary to Admiralty advices, the captain faking the ship ovor the donwr area Instead of as directed by the Admiralty. He was thereby guilty of grave error of judgment. The Court recommends that his certificate be suspended for six months. . , The City of Athens was a vessel of 5604 tons, built at Belfast in and is one of the City Line. It will called that the transport Tyndareus struck a mine off the Capo several months ago. ■