MANY LIVES LOST

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 127, 27 February 1928, Page 9

MANY LIVES LOST

MYSTERIOUS STEAMER COLLISION S.O.S. SIGNAL CANCELLED By Telegraph.—Press association Copyright. (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 25.— The P. and O. liner Moldavia, in response to a wireless message, picked up a man in the English Channel, whose life was nearly extinct, among a large quantity of wreckage, following a collision between the Italian steamer Alcantara and the Russian ship lavorisch, in which the former was sunk. The Moldavia later proceeded on her voyage, convinced there were no other survivors. The man picked up died, and is being buried at sea. DEATH-ROLL BELIEVED TO BE SERIOUS (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 25. Mystery surrounds last night’s collision. The death-roll is believed to be serious. The Tovarisch, which is a Russian training ship on which were a hundred cadets, is now reported to be afloat and is proceeding to Southampton. Lifeboats continued the search throughout the night. The confusion was increased by language difficulties.' A thick fog also added to the troubles of the rescuers. Many of the Moldavia’s passengers were dining when the ship stopped,. and others were seated in the lounges. There was much excitement while watching the lifeboats search among the wreckage in the dense fog. A MYSTERIOUS FEATURE (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 25. A mysterious feature of the collision is that the Tovarisch, after the first S.O.S. signal, cancelled the call, saying that two vessels were standing by. This resulted in the departure of lifeboats from the Moldavia being delayed for two and a half hours. The lifeboatmen are of the opinion that some people on the Alcantara might have been saved if the delay had not occurred. The Tovarisch subsequently disregarded attempts by many wireless stations to secure information.—" The Times.”