83 LIVES LOST

Grey River Argus, 8 June 1943, Page 5

83 LIVES LOST

U.S. SHIPS COLLIDE

One Sinks and Another

Takes Fire

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 6.30) WASHINGTON, June 6. The United States Navy Department has announced the loss of a merchantship, which was laden with ammunition, and also the loss of a tanker. The losses were the result of a collision off the east coast of America a few days ago, on June 1. Eighty-three men are missing. Sixty-seven survivors Have been landed at Norfolk, Virginia. Those missing comprise eight of the tanker’s crew, and also ten Navy gunners from the tanker. Forty of the crew and twenty-five gunners from the merchant snip are missing. The munition ship exploded, and sank, immediately after the collision. The tanker burst into flames and sank. It is officially stated that the tanker did not sink, although she was enveloped in flames from stem to stern. The Associated Press stated the collision occurred at dawn on June 1. Survivors said the vessels were proceeding in opposite directions and on parallel courses. When the freighter veered sharply, she rammed the oil tanker.

The resultant explosion showered debris on the deck of another ship that was a quarter of a mile distant. The fire aboard of the tanker destroyed all of her lifeboats before they could be lowered, thus compelling the survivors of the explosion to jump into the sea. Only three were saved of the merchantman’s entire complement out of sixty-five. They are critically injured.