MANY LIVES LOST

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1932, Page 5

MANY LIVES LOST

WHEN SHIP SINKS GERMAN TRAINER'S FATE. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BERLIN, July 27. A dramatic story of toe sinking ol the training ship, “Niobe,” (net “Niorc,” as previously es.b'le;.), is given by Captain A± nailer, of the cargo boat “Theresia Rush” which, afte. transferring the “Nioi.es” sun ivors tj the “KoeJn,” arrived a'Holtenau Lock early this, morning. Captain,-Mueller said: “We sighted the “Niobe” at a distance of.. 8000 yards at 2..1D o’clock a’o the same moment, the flying boat, “Do.X,” passed us. The “Niobe” signalled: “Wnere did iyou come from? IVheie are you going?” But the signal was visible only for. a lew seconds, when it disappeared iii a heavy squall, which struck the “Niobe.” fchei capsized 'tp the starboard side. I proceeded at full speed to the spot, and launched two life boats. All of my crew went into them except the cook and myself. The “Niobe” sank in two or three minutes and only those on the deck were saved. The rest were trapped below, Some of the survivors remained afloat for an hour before they were rescued. They rid themselves of their clothing, Ail of the officers were drowned, except the captain. I picked up forty survivors. I could to no more. Nothing .could be seen, except bubbles and oil.” The “Niobe” lies seventy fathoms deep. i 1 \ i’fc is officially reported that sixtynine have been drowned. There lias been a search by seaplanes and naval vessels for further survivors. It has been unsuccessful. COUNT FELIX VON LUCKNER. WAS COMINC TO NEW ZEALAND. Count Felix, von Luckner, who was one of the victims, had planned , a visit to New Zealand in the near future. He commanded the raider “Seeadler,” which was caught by the British at the island of VVakaya, on September 21st, 1917. He later was interned on an island, near the entrance to Auckland harbour. The public believed that von Luckner had sunk the big passenger steamer, “Wairuna,’ with all' on board, and was inflamed against him. He-and bis party were transferred to a prison camp on the island of 'Motuihi. Then he escaped pom the island in a motor boat belonging 'to the Commandant, on December 13th, 1917. He disguised himselif in Colonel Turner’s uniform, and later captured the scow “Moa” which some time ago traded a'b Hokitika. The Germans went to the Kermadecs and got provisions, but the cable steamer “Iris,” sighted them and affected the capture of von luckner, who was transferred to Ripper Island, near Lyttelton and then tqken back to Motuihi. After the Armistice he and his party were imprisoned on an island near Auckland, but they were allowed to return to Germany. Count von Luckner made a post-war cruise round the scenes of the Seeadler’s adventures.

WAS VON LUCKNER- ON BOARD,

BERLIN, July 27

It b now doubted /whether Von Luck tier was aboard the Nio-bi as jt is believed that he relinquished his command some time ago.

CONFIRMATION OF RUMOUR.

LITTLE HOPE FOR SURVIVORS,

* . (Received this day at 11 a.m.) BERLIN, July 27

Forty survivors arrived ,at Keil aboard the cruiser Koeln, and confirm that Von Lucknor was not aboard the Niche.

The Koeln b continuing the search, but there is little hope for the survivors. Two Admirals who visited the scene, state that no blame is attached to the Captain. The squall was so sudden that there was no possibility of manoeurin.fr the v.fl-el. Everything happened so quickly that the order to don ilifekelts and lower the boats could not be executed. Tine majority of the victims werte below attending a lecture prior to final examinations.

According to eye-witnesses most of the portholes we vie oplsu, and the vessel sank in two minutes.