LINER SINKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 267, 1 February 1928, Page 12

LINER SINKS

DISASTER OFF BRAZIL STRIKES ROCK AT NIGHT Scenes that recalled the memorable Titanic disaster, says the “Daily Chronicle,” accompanied the sinking late at night of the Principessa Mafalda, the 9,210-ton Italian luxury steamer, which struck a rock forming part of the Abrolhos Reef, off the coast of Brazil, and foundered after her boilers had blown up. Supper had just been served, and the prospect of arriving in Rio Ho Janeiro on the morrow, and in Argentine two days later —the liner had left Genoa on October 11 —had led to impromptu celebrations, principally among the emigrants. Suddenly there came a tremendous bump, which shook the vessel from bow to stern, and it came to an abrupt stop. Dancing and laughter changed to tears and trembling, and the passengers clustered fearfully on deck, while the captain ordered everyone to stand by the lifeboats and raft stations. Then, while the crew were trying to cheer up the terror-stricken passengers with cheerful assurances, and even jokes, the ship’s band struck up the Italian national anthem. The scenes that followed were a mixture of panic and heroio fortitude. The captain’s voice was heard above the din: “Keep cool!” he shouted, “there is no danger”; and his officers did all they could to prevent a panic. But confusion followed, and there was a combined rush for the boats, and women, with children clinging to their skirts, rent the air with their screams. The third-class passengers invaded the second-class deck, and the officers had a hard task to prevent many from jumping overboard. Soon there were a series of explosions, and the ship began to settle by the stern. The greatest hero of the Principessa Mafalda was the wireless operator, who stuck to his post and sent out appeals for help. A British vessel, the Blue Star cargo boat Empire Star, was the first to respond to the S.O.S. She picked up approximately 185 survivors, and was soon joined by other vessels of various nationalities. The other vessels which responded to the wireless call and the numbers of people (approximately) they saved are: Formose (French) 450 Alhena (Dutch) 450 Rosetti 120

The Principessa Mafalda’s crew worked their hardest to accommodate everybody in the lifeboats. The work was most difficult owing to the pitch darkness. The conduct of all the crew, including the stewards, was excellent. The Mafalda remained afloat for five hours after the last explosion. Just as she was disappearing a final terrific explosion was heard. The women and children, who were the first to be allowed to enter the boats, were also picked up first by the rescuing vessels. The ill-fated voyage of the Principessa Mafalda was to have been her last, as she would have been transferred from the South American service to the freighter or auxiliary service, says an “Exchange” Rome cable. She was launched in 1908 —a triple deck, twin screw steamer of 9,210 tons —and during the war was used in the coastal service, never leaving Italian waters. There were no English passengers on board.