WAILS OF THE DROWNING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 187, 28 October 1927, Page 1

WAILS OF THE DROWNING

Liner Sinks in Heavy Seas

BLACK DARKNESS AND SHRIEKING WIND

IT was in pitch darkness, with heavy seas rolling and a wild wind shrieking, that the Italian liner Principessa Mafalda went down off the Brasilian coast. Some survivors have reached Bahia, and they tell a terrible tale of the screams of women and children, and of the fearful fate of one hapless swimmer who was devoured by a shark. It is impossible to determine yet how many persons were drowned. By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright

Reed. 9.5 a.m. BAHIA. Thurs. THE French steamer Mosella has - 1 - arrived with 24 members of the crew of the wrecked Italian liner Principessa Mafalda. Commander Privat graphically described the sinking of the vessel. He refused to believe the optimistic reports, that only a few lives had been lost. Commander Privat estimated that 600 had perished, but this estimate disagrees with others, and confusion still persists as to the number drowned.

Commander Privat and survivor* of the Principessa Mafalda's crew, and the Mosella’s passengers all said that the tragedy occurred in the black of night, with heavy seas, and a fierce wind. They told of the screams of dyin•; women and children, of heroic rescues, and of a shark overtaking a swimming man and devouring him. They also declared that 12 of the Principessa Mafalda's crew were killed in the boiler explosion which sent the ship sinking stern first. —A. and N.Z. INSURED IN LONDON VESSEL AND CARGO British Wireless —Press Assn.—Copyright Reed. 12.13 p.m. RUGBY, Thurs. The Principessa Mafalda is stated to have been insured on a value of about £BI,OOO in the London marine insurance market, the risk coming as reinsurance of the value with the underwriters. In. addition, insurances on the cargo are also placed in London for a considerable amount. There are also policies covering the shipowners’ liability, which include the statutory liability for loss of life at sea.—A. and N.Z.