TRAGEDY AT SEA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 36, 13 October 1913, Page 5

TRAGEDY AT SEA.

S.S. VOLTURNO ON FIRE. HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE. [By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright] [United Press Association.! London, October 12. The Carmania this evening received a wireless message that tlv: ' olturno ■] 3 afire 78 miles away. She hastened to the spot, and there found the Volturno burning forward fiercely. Two boatloads of passengers were got s.’.feK away. Four other boats \ver« smashed against the steamer’s sides. A terrific was running, and the occupants were drowned. A Distressing slate of Affairs. The gale prevented the Carmania’s boats approaching. Meanwhile Captain Barr, of the Carmania," manoeuvred 100 feet from the Volturuo’s stern. Nine other steamers were wirelessly summoned, and searchlights were erected. The heavy- seas and the growing darkness frustrated repeated efforts to reach the steamer. The flames burst through the engine-room, and an explosion was heard. The pas congers, with lifebelts, were huddled on the poop astern, it w.l-i only- possible to throw lifebuoys and stand by Numbers of struggling swimmers wen picked up. The Volturno was still afloat at daybreak, and the sea had moderated. First Estimate cf the Rescued. The Carmania rescued one, the La Touraiue 40, the Minneapolis 30, the Rappahannock 19, thp Czar 102, the Narragansett 29, the Devonian 59, tin Kroonland 90; the Grosser Kurfursl 105, and the Seydlitz 36 of the passengers and crew. It is feared that the remainder of the crew and passengers perished. The Kroonland rescued the captain, chief, second, third and fifth engineers, and .two telegraphists. According to. the Volturno’s list, the cabin passengers/ numbered 2t, th? steerage 540, and the crew 193. Tho Canadian Narthorn Steamship Company owned the vessel, which wafe journeying from Rotterdam to Noav York. ' The Volturno’s crew numbered 193, making the total aboard 757. The Czar rescued, 112,, making the total saved 521 and the missing 236. The Volturno was almost exactly ir mid-Atlantic whOn the Carmania received the call early on Thursday. She readied the scene by noon. Ten other vessels responded and arrived by four o’clock in the afternoon.

Spectacle of a Lifetime/ When darkness fell, the scene was thrilling. The Volturno was burning fiercely, surrounded by the huge, bril-liantly-lighted hulls of an interna’ ona/ fleet, crowded by thousands of spectators, the vessels rolling and plunging on mountainous seas. They were unable to succour the distressed vessel and it was not until 9.20 in the morning that the survivors were taken off. CARE OF THE SURVIVORS. New York, October 12. The agents of the Uranium Line believe that there is a likelihood of a greater number being saved than was at first thought. It is probable that the steamer Uranium, despatched to recover the bodies, will give proper burial to' the dead. The Uranium is expected to reach the scene of the disaster on Wednesday. The lied Cross Committee here is arranging for tlr care of the survivors when they land.