BLAZING STEAMER

Southland Times, Issue 21093, 27 May 1930, Page 7

BLAZING STEAMER

PILGRIMS TRAPPED GALLANTRY OF BRITISH ' OFFICERS OVER 100 BELIEVED DEAD (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright) Paris, May 25. The Jeddah correspondent of Le Petit Parisien pays a tribute to the gallantry of two British officers of the steamer Arabiston in rescuing terror-stricken pilgrims trapped on the blazing Asia. These officers picked up the fainting pilgrims and passed them over the side to a boat below, remaining as calm as if they were playing a game of golf. One group of pilgrims tried to escape by an iron ladder, but were beaten back by the flames, whereupon all cut their throats and the bodies were piled up on the red hot deck. 5> Two of the four boats launched were swamped by panic-stricken natives jumping in. Most of them were drowned. Many others refused to attempt to escape and remained in the dining saloon praying to Allah with faces turned towards Mecca. , The number of dead is not yet known, but it is estimated at between 100 and 200. A message from Jeddah published on Saturday stated: The French steamer Asia left with 1,500 pilgrims for Southern Red Sea ports and subsequently caught fire in the harbour. The blaze became uncontrollable and the steamer could not be approached. It is feared that 100 passengers are dead.