COLLISION IN CHANNEL

Evening Star, Issue 19801, 27 February 1928, Page 4

COLLISION IN CHANNEL

ITALIAN STEAMER SUNK SOLE SURVIVOR DIES LONDON, February 25. The Peninsular liner Moldavia, in response to a wireless message, picked up a man in the ‘English Channel among a largo quantity of wreckage following a collision between the Italian steamer Alcantara and the Russian ship Tovarisch, in which the former was sunk. The Moldavia sent a wireless message later that she had proceeded on her way, being convinced that there were no other survivors. The man picked up died, and is being buried at pea*

MYSTERIOUS FEATURES

S.O.S. CALL CANCELLED

LONDON, February 25. Mystery surrounds last night’s collision, and the death roll is believed to be serious. The Tovarisch, which is a Russian training ship, on which there oro 100 cadets, is now reported to be afloat and proceeding to Southampton. Lifeboats continued to search throughout the night, and 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 was stopped, and others were seated in the lounges. There was much excitement while watching the lifeboats searching among the wreckage in dense fog. A mysterious feature of the collision is that the Tovarisch, after the first 5.0.5., cancelled the call, saying that two vessels were standing by. This resulted in the departure of the lifeboats from the Moldavia being delayed by two hours and a-balf. Lifcboatracnt are of the opinion that some people on the Alcantara might have been saved if the delay had'not occurred. Thereafter the Tovarisch disregarded attempts by many wireless stations to secure information.—‘ The Times.’

TOVARISCH ARRIVES AT SOUTHAMPTON.

BOWS SMASHED IN

LONDON, February 2(5. (Received February 27, at 1.30 a.b.)

The Tovarisch arrived at Southampton with her bows smashed. She brought one survivor from the sunken Italian ship.